What was the phone call about?
But I don’t type any of them. I set the phone down and keep driving.
This thing between us—whatever it is—it’s crossing lines.
She’s twenty years old. Eddie’s niece. My ex-wife’s babysitter. The victim of a crime I’m planning to avenge without her knowledge.
There’re a hundred reasons why I should keep my distance, why these private conversations and secret meetings need to stop.
But even as I think it, I know it’s bullshit.
I’m in too deep already. I have been from the first moment she called me crying on that Sunday morning. Maybe even that night I gave her the first ride home from the Steel Saloon.
There’s something about Solana Youngblood that’s gotten under my skin, into my head, into my heart if I’m being honest.
I can’t stop being there for her. Don’t want to stop. Even if I should. Even if it’s wrong and it’ll only lead to trouble for us.
She needs somebody, and for whatever reason, I’m the somebody she chose.
I’m the one who will be whatever she needs and see her through this.
13
SILVER
“I made it,Silver! I made it to the next round of auditions!”
Solana gushes through my phone, so full of joy it makes me grin despite the shit day I’ve had. I crash onto my couch, phone pressed to my ear, and let her excitement wash over me. I’m the first person she’s called.
“They called me back for Magnolia! Can you believe it?” she asks breathlessly. “Out of, like, thirty people who tried out, they only picked six for callbacks, andI’mone of them!”
Her happiness is contagious. It’s so damn cute and endearing I’ve become hooked on it. As silly as it sounds, it makes me happy to see her happy.
Over the past week, these evening calls have become routine. It started with her texting to thank me again for the ice cream, then somehow evolved into nightly conversations that stretch longer than they should.
I tell myself it’s just checking in on Ed’s niece, making sure she’s okay. But that’s bullshit and I know it.
I lookforwardto these calls. Have even started planning my evening around them.
“That’s great, Solana,” I reply, and I mean it. “I’m proud of you. But I knew you’d make it to round two.”
“You did not?—”
“Did too. You’re gonna make it to round three as well. Hell, you’ll go all the way. You’re that good.”
She goes quiet for a second, then her voice comes back bashful. “I’m not even the best one auditioning. There’s this girl who’s been in every community theater production since?—”
“Stop.” I cut her off before she can talk herself down further. “You’ve been practicing with me all week. Your Southern accent is spot on. The monologue you did yesterday? Gave me chills. If they don’t pick you, they’re idiots.”
Her laugh is small and pleased. “Thanks for being my biggest fan.”
“How’d the other thing go?” I ask, though we both know what I mean. “The counselor?”
“I went to her office today. We made an appointment for next week to actually start… talking about things.”
“Good. That’s real good, Solana. Proud of you for that too.”
“What about you?” she asks. “Has it gotten any easier with Tom back?”
