“Wait!” I yell, running after him. He stops, turning. He’s inside the doorway with one foot already out of it.
“Wait, Callum, I just wanted to thank you. Thanks for doing this. I’m sure you had better things to do today. Sorry that Rivendragged you into my drama. And about Lydia, I am … again …verysorry for that. I just thought maybe you two would hit it off, and you know, she’s a catch. Any guy would be lucky enough to have her.” I look up, noting his smirk. I can tell that he’s holding back a laugh.
“Sorry. I’m rambling again, aren’t I?” I ask.
He chuckles. “Yep, sure are.” He fiddles with the hanging strap on the backpack. “Look, I’m not really in the market right now.”
“In themarket? What are you, a head of lettuce?!” I throw a hand over my mouth to stifle the inevitable laugh bubbling up inside my throat. I’m sure my face is a nice bright red right about now. I start to reel back in the regret for the comment when he begins laughing again. The sound of his bellowing laugh is enough to release my own. I remove the hand that’s covering my mouth and laugh with him. We go on like that for what seems like forever before he suddenly stops, clearing his throat. All evidence of the playful Callum is replaced by that wonderful blank expression yet again.
“Anyway,” he starts, “I’m not dating anyone right now. Thanks for looking out, though. Maybe I’ll see you around, Sloane. Take care.” He turns and walks out of my doorway and toward his car. He climbs in and drives away.
27
Sloane
My first thought as I watch Callum drive away from my apartment is that I’m glad I only have two feet and not three. I’m certain that if I had a third, I would have inserted that one into my mouth as well. On second thought, I find myself replaying the words Callum said to me. “I think you’d be good for him.” For some reason, there’s a thread that pulls inside of me at the thought of beinggoodfor Riven.
“Caught between two men. Not a good look, Lo.”I’m beginning to loathe the little angel who can do no wrong.
I’m about to bite back when the dark one decides to return.“Why choose when you can have them both?”Great, just call me ElenafuckingGilbert.
“Get out of my head. You two aren’t making this any easier,” I say out loud to absolutely no one, like a lunatic. I turn, stomping back into the apartment and closing the door. I walk back insideand upstairs. I open up my bedside table and flip through the photos of my father again while sitting on the side of my bed. I thumb through each one, expecting answers to jump off the photo paper. But all I find are more questions. I don’t recognize the man in the photos with Gideon. I barely recognize him, if I’m being honest. I decide to lock them up in a shadow box I keep on my bookshelf. Then, I freshen up and shoot Lydia a text before heading to the office to grab something I need for my research. It’s time to find out why Van had those photos.
Sloane:LYD! I think I might have met your soul mate today.
Lydia:Um, do tell…
Sloane:Riven had a guy come install a security system today, story for another time. Anyway, his name is Callum.
Lydia:Security system, huh? Ooooo, Callum. Sexy, I like it. Please…tell me more!
Sloane:Omg, lol. He’s BIG. Like muscular as hell and super tall. Full tattoo sleeve. Handsome. A MAN BUN! And…he puts up a good front, but I have a feeling he’s all bark and no bite. It’s giving golden retriever, and maybe Capricorn?
Lydia:Look at you, Lo! Spotting a Cappy in the wild! I’ve taught you well. Aww, damn. I kind of like a little bite, though. But a golden retriever can be trained. And man bun? Swoon! You know I have a type. So, what’s his number? When’s the date?
Sloane:I know you do. Well…that’s the only tiny problem…
Lydia:Lo….drop the bomb.
Sloane:Well…he kinda says he isn’t dating right now?
Lydia:Well, luckily, I also love a challenge. (; Callum…I wonder how many of those are in the area. You’re a pretty good stalker. Could you find out his last name for me, pretty please?
Sloane:I’m an INVESTIGATOR, Lyd. And possibly, yes. Are we still hanging out tomorrow night?
Lydia:Only if you provide me with Callum’s last name. *sticking out tongue emoji*
Sloane:*roll eyes emoji* Deal.
? ? ?
I drive to work while listening to “The Night Does Not Belong To God” by Sleep Token. I’m thinking about Lydia’s request, and I wonder if I should text Riven and ask him for Callum’s last name. I keep thinking about what Callum said about Riven being broken, though. Maybe I should have pushed back when Riven sent me that text. Maybe I shouldn’t have run off into the hands of another man. Even if I do still dream aboutthosehands. The photos of my father are the only thing stopping me from running back again, too. There’s a connection between Van and me that I’m struggling to find the words for. And the pitchfork freak in my head is begging me to explore it.
I pull up to work and unlock the door to walk inside. It’s midday on a weekend, so the office is closed. As I’m walking over to my desk to grab my research notebook, I see a folder with a sticky note on top of Alex’s desk. I give it my full attention, noticing that my name is on it. Would it be snooping if it’s technicallyforme? I casually stroll over to it, looking around like someone is going to catch me doing something I shouldn’t. I run my hand over the sticky note and toward the edge of the folder, flipping it open.Oops.
The bold-faced title nearly knocks me right off my feet. It reads “Gideon Keenan - Case reopening.”
Casereopening? It’s been nearly a year. Why would aclosed casereopen? Maybe new evidence has surfaced. I’m not sure why Alex wouldn’t call me with this right away when he received it. Wait … the photos.Shit. It dawns on me that the person who broke into my apartment could have had something to do with my father’s case. What if someone has been following me since then? Thatsameperson could have seen the photos of my father. Or worse, the person in the photos with Gideon could be targeting me. I need to go back home and double-check them. I’ll shoot a photo of the man in the photos to Elle if she calls, and see if she knows anything.
