It was because of Diesel. Until the day Rebel decided to sneak into the forest with Mattie, she’d resisted because of her crush on Diesel. Even her acceptance was because of Diesel.
All the experience she’d gained by helping Mattie would serve her well. Or ruin her.
Nothing good would come of Rebel’s obsession.Dieselwasn’t good. Her cousin claimed to know that, but Mattie wasn’t so sure.
Rebel refused to listen to Mattie, though. Instead, she suggested she sneak to meet Grant and try to talk sense into him.
No matter how much Mattie resisted, Rebel came up with a new argument. Her final one changed Mattie’s mind.
Rebel: I talked to Grant. Pop is giving him until Monday to cometo his senses, then he’s cutting him off, throwing him out of the house, and having him banned from the property.
Grant had been a friend to her, so Mattie was determined to return the favor.
Close to ten p.m., Mattie opened her door and peeped into the hallway. Just as it had been all day, the house was as silent as she imagined a tomb might be. It wasn’t Mama’s day to bring the girls to school, so Mattie had eaten breakfast alone. Rory was lost in shithead land and whoever drove the passenger van with the younger kids usually left a little earlier to make sure everyone got to the proper buildings. If Mama wasn’t driving Mattie, Rebel, and Harley, JJ usually hopped a ride in the van.
Aunt Ophelia should’ve dropped the three of them off, but it ended up being Uncle Stretch, while Aunt Meggie picked them up. Returning home, Mattie found the house much the same—silent, depressed, even more miserable than usual.
She hadn’t even heard Blade. Scared something had happened, she’d raced to the nursery and found Ella reading a toddler’s version ofA Midsummer’s Night Dreamto Blade.
Her little brother’s happy scream when she walked in made Mattie laugh and she’d taken him to her room, so they could watch cartoons.
When Mama got home from work, she checked on Mattie, kissed Blade, then went to her room and never reappeared. Mattie ate in the nursery with Blade, freeing up more time for Ella to do whatever else needed to be done. She had homework, so she’d bid her little brother a good evening, then went to her room, ignoring Rebel’s texts until her lessons were done.
Now, Mattie raced across the hallway to the staircase, her heart pounding frantically in her chest. Usually when she snuck, it was from the clubhouse or Uncle Christopher’s house, and always with Rebel’s guidance. She wasn’t sure what she’d gotten herself into on her own.
She heaved in a breath and froze, gripping the banister. The staircase disappeared into the darkness. She could fall and break her neck.
If she was caught, she’d be grounded for life. What was she thinking? She didn’t have a father like Uncle Christopher. He might kill whoever—Diesel—and ground Rebel, but he’d never turn against her.
Her phone beeped and she cringed. This was such a bad idea.
She stepped backwards onto the landing. She’d call Grant and tell him their meeting was off and text Rebel and tell her to meet Grant herself.
But she was so lonely in her room with only bad memories to keep her company. Blade was asleep, Rory hated her, and JJ was indifferent.
Swallowing, Mattie forced herself to go down the staircase. She was in her bare feet. Shoes were too noisy. Somehow, she made it to the first floor without breaking her neck. Unlike at the Caldwell house, this one was almost pitch black at night. Aunt Meggie hated the darkness, so Uncle Christopher accommodated her by having dim lighting at the very least, 24/7.
As long as Mattie walked a straight line, she wouldn’t run into one of the hallway benches, but the darkness was so disorienting, it left her dizzy.
Jesus Christ. How did the Victorians survive? No, wasn’t gas lighting a thing back then? Mattie was almost certain it was introduced in the early 1800s in Regency London.
The phone beeped again and Mattie gritted her teeth. Either she had to use her flashlight or she was doomed for failure. Besides, she needed to check if Grant had changed his mind.
Grant: Where are you, Matt? I’m at the stream as you directed.
Grinning, Mattie’s heart fluttered. He was waiting for her.
Mattie: I’m on my way.
With a new sense of urgency, Mattie flipped on the flashlight and ran down the hallway, veering off into a little used sitting room at the end. The door creaked as she opened it, and shefroze, expecting someone to come running and check the noise.
Nothing.
Closing the door as quietly as possible and cursing that stupid noise, Mattie held her phone high above her and tipped to the window. It squeaked open, in need of oiling as much as that door.
Sweat beaded her skin and she halted, lightheaded, barely able to catch her breath. Expecting to be discovered and yelled at. Berated.
Hiking up her nightgown, this one mint green, Mattie threw one leg over the sill and then the other. The cool air swept over her legs, freeing something inside her.
