I open the door slowly, pushing my nose first, and sigh when I see Puck lying in his spot. It’s a secure feeling, even though Puck is old. Nothing will ever get past him. I sigh as I bend to pat his head. “This is Puck, Bill’s dog.”
“Wait a second.” Her gaze skirts side to side. “This is Bill’s house?”
I nearly choke. I forgot to clue her into that part. How she could think this mansion is mine makes me almost snort. “I’m staying here this year to save money. It was either that or get a second job. I didn’t want to be exhausted from working all the time and have it affecting my game.”
“Ah, okay.” Her feet slide together into a proper stance.
“You can relax.” I raise my hand, inviting her further into the house. “He’s not even home. He’s at the banquet, and I’m sure they will be out for a while.” My heart is beating so hard that I place my hand against it and pray it doesn’t explode. When I got out of bed this morning, I didn’t plan on having to run off a stalker.
Paisley’s eyes lock on my hand over my heart, and her lips part, but she’s silent.
I scan along the floor for an inkling of a clue to where Puck put my meds. I can’t believe I overlooked this all day today, and it’s all coming to catch up with me now. I walk around the perimeter of the adjacent living room, close the curtains on the huge bay window, and double check all the locks on the windows. Then I pace back to the kitchen and suck back a deep breath, which does nothing to loosen what feels like a vice grip on my lungs. “Let’s, ah, sit down.” I nod back toward the sofa in the living room. “Can I get you a water or anything?”
It’s not even the thought of the stalker that is making me this paranoid, but my anxiety is ramping up with each second. The more I try to slow my breath, the more it ticks up.
“Nah, I’m good for now.” She pads forward soundlessly, while I steady myself with one hand on the counter and open the fridge door with the other to grab a chilled bottle of water. I open it and down about half of it in one pull, but my chest cinches tight. When I join her on the sofa, I plop down, a full sweat on my brow. My ears are hyper-attuned to every creak in the floor, and I’m imagining all that could go wrong.
“Are you okay?” Paisley drops her hand to my leg, and I take it in my hand and give it a squeeze.
“I’m a little concerned. Maybe we should call the hotel to see if they know the name of the person who dropped off the camera?” I’m already reaching in my pocket for my phone as I can’t believe I haven’t thought of this sooner, but it’s the perfect solution.
“I already called.” Her eyes are wide, bringing a warning.
“And?”
“Ah, they didn’t know a thing about the camera. They said it never turned up.”
“And you’re just telling me this now?” My spine straightens, pinging each vertebra with a little hammer to prick at all mynerves. I don’t even know how it’s possible, but my chest cinches even more. “It has to be someone from the maintenance crew or maybe the DJ service. Do you know who cleans that place?”
“I was there for less than an hour. I don’t know anything.” She shakes her head, and her gaze seems to dance over my face before her voice drops. “I’m sorry to worry you. Maybe I should call my dad? I don’t want you to think you have to stress out about this.”
The last thing I need is her dad coming over here, and Bill finding him. “Nah, it’s fine.” I slice my hand through my hair and run it along the back of my neck, but it does nothing to calm me. My mind seems to have a block on it, as I can’t focus on anything except for my heart pounding so hard against my chest. “Say.” I stand, doing my best to sound calm. “I’m going to run upstairs to look for something.”
“Okay.” Her expression is neutral, but I feel her gaze follow me out the door. As soon as I’m out of sight, I sprint up the stairs two by two and scurry into the bathroom. I pull out a drawer and dig my hand way to the back, searching for meds. Maybe my mom found them and put them in here.
Nothing.
Sweat dots my forehead, and I open the medicine cabinet. Nothing but over-the-counter cold medicine and lots of mismatched sports wraps.
I grab my chest as I leave the bathroom. The walls seem to wave, and my breathing is hard, but I cross the hallway in a hurry and head toward my mom and Bill’s room. It’s super cringe to go in here, but it’s the only place I haven’t looked. With Puck up to his games, I don’t doubt he could have stashed them somewhere.
My gaze traces the dressers and the door to the walk-in closet. I hate to snoop in their private stuff, but if I know Puck, he more than likely stuffed it in a corner or behind a nightstand.I’m careful not to touch anything as I peek behind the door, but there’s nothing but the usual jam. I pace forward with my gaze set on the four-poster bed, and I drop to the floor and squint, a pile of disorganized stuff coming into focus. I reach my hand under and pull out a beanie.
Palmer City Voltage?
That’s totally sus.
Bill would never allow this in his house. He hates the Voltage.
My eyebrow quirks.
Or does he?
I’ve often suspected his hate was more of a front for jealousy. I reach my hand under again and pull out a Voltage jersey. Now, I crack a smile as this isn’t an accident. He clearly has a secret love for them. I push my hand under another time, and my fingers meet something I instantly recognize to be mine.
I almost shout with joy when I pull out my meds and hold them to my chest, as if the proximity to my heart has the power to slow my pounding heartbeat. I’m already standing up when I whip around to get out of here and wham!
I crash into Bill.
