“Then she should have confessed and left our names out of it. I missed the spring dance because she had a case of conscience.”
“Heifer, this happened twelve years ago. Let it go and give me that damn envelope.” Cori snatches it from me and opens it. She slowly slides her hand inside and pulls out its contents. Then she looks at it, turns it over, and gives me a blank stare. “A phone? Why are you acting so secretive about a phone? And I thought you were broke?” She looks at it again.
“Exactly. Iambroke. I’m broker than broke. Do you think I have fifteen hundred dollars for a phone?” I inch closer and whisper, “It was at my door, along with a rose. I’ve gotten a single red rose every day since Sunday.”
Cori’s eyebrows shoot to her forehead. “Who the fuck is sending you flowers and a phone? Do you think it’s Gavin?”
“Gavin? As in my ex-boyfriend Gavin?” When she nods, I ask, incredulous, “You think that ass would send me roses and an iPhone? How would he even know I need a phone?”
I stare into her eyes without saying a word. When all she does is stare back, I tilt my head to the side and widen my eyes, willing her to understand.
“No,” she says, elongating the word. “You think it’shim?”
“Who else knows I broke my phone? I’m sure you and Selene didn’t send it.”
“Hell no. But why would this scary motherfucker send you flowers and drop this kind of money on a phone?”
“To fuck with my mind.” I put my hands to my forehead and push back my hair. I let out a whoosh of breath. “I didn’t even want to go out that night. Remember?” I ask, pointing at my best friend. “I wanted to stay home and feel sorry for myself, but no. You just had to go to that stupid fucking club.”
“Calm down. He gave you flowers and an expensive phone. Maybe he likes you.”
“Does that hulking giant of a man look like the type wholikeswomen like me?” I shout.
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t he? You’re beautiful and smart.”
I look around to make sure no one is listening, and then I whisper, “I’m trying to get my life back on track, not get involved with a criminal who plays mind games. This is crazy.”
Cori throws an arm around me, and I rest my head on her shoulder.
“Then ignore him. There’s not much you can do. It’s not like you have his phone number or address to confront him.”
“He’s dangerous,” I say.
“But he protected you and us. He beat up two guys who were working together to drug you, and had his security bring us home. He’s sending you roses because your name is Eden Rose. It’s sweet in a weird way. Maybe he doesn’t know how to approach you.”
“I don’t need this shit, Cor. My life’s already a mess,” I say. “There’s stuff I haven’t told you.” She remains quiet, so I continue. “I had to come back here.” I sniffle. My entire life, I longed to get out of Shadow Cove, only to come crawling back because of my bad choices.
“Hey, now. I live here, and this might sound selfish, but I’m glad you’re back. And you got away from that loser ex-boyfriend of yours.”
“There’s more than just him totaling my car.”
She sits up and stares into my eyes.
“And I lied to my parents and told them I sold it, and you’re gonna help me look for a new one. Remember that in case they bring it up.” She nods, and I know she has my back. “Gavin didn’t pay the rent for four months even though I gave him my share.”
“The fuck?” she says.
“We owed eight thousand dollars plus fees. He ran off, and I was left holding the bag. That’s when I found out he cleaned out my bank account and left me penniless. If he hadn’t done that, I would have had enough to pay the back rent, but I had to take one of those Payday loans, and now I’m paying twenty percent interest on top of that eight grand. So, I’m not just broke but in debt. I have no car, no means of getting my own place, and no money. I have to dig myself out of this mess, Cori. I have enough problems.”
She rubs my arm and holds me until she says, “I hate when you put me in the position to see the glass half full. You know I’m a pessimist.” She turns her body and takes both my hands in hers. “Here’s the good news. You’re here with your family. You have a place to live, an education, and a good-paying job. Youaregoing to dig out of this mess. It’s just going to take a little bit of time. And you have a brand-new phone, and the roses probably make your apartment smell nice.”
She giggles after the last statement.
“I’m not using it. What if he put something in there to spy on me? What if he can read all my texts and listen to my calls? No, thanks.” I shove the yellow envelope back in my purse.
“That phone is sealed, dummy. Take it. You need it, and you only broke it because of him. Maybe he’ll transfer some money to your bank account next, you broke ass.”
I playfully punch her arm, but I laugh at her insult.
