Nate drives closer. He doesn’t seem pissed, just tired. “Get in.”
Owen does, letting out a deep breath once he’s inside the car with the AC on.
“What did you take?”
“Coke. In their house.” He pulls out what he bought and hands it to Nate.
“Look at me.”
Owen does, and Nate scans his face. “Are you okay with me taking you home?”
“Yeah, most of it has already passed. I’m sorry you needed to wait.”
“If it means we’re moving ahead with our plan, I don’t mind. It also gave me some time to think.” He begins to drive.
Owen leans his seat back. “Productive thinking?”
“I guess you can say that. My mom was a quitter, and it didn’t work out for her. Those junkies out there are also quitters. Hell, most of this county is filled with quitters.” He clears his throat, intensity in his eyes as he glances at Owen. “I’m going to get what belongs to me.”
Owen feels too floaty to ask more questions. He nods and shuts his eyes. “You do that, man. I believe in you.”
Chapter 12
Owen
“I’m so nervous.”
Francie sighs from behind the circulation desk. “It’s a book club, Owen. People will come, litter the library, and then sit in a circle and talk about a mediocre book.”
“It’s not that mediocre.” Though he never bothered finishing it—he just knows that many others loved it, and he wanted to choose something with a broader appeal.
“You’ve got Shelby to do the hosting, right?”
“Yeah, she said she did it before when she lived in New York.”
“Oh, did she mention she used to live in New York? First I’m hearing about it.”
Owen laughs. “Yeah, she does bring it up a lot.”
At around five o’clock, people start to arrive. Shelby is the first one, complimenting them on how nicely they arranged the place, then suggesting how they should change everything.
Three women come next, all regulars. They’ve dressed up nicely, which Owen appreciates. He, too, bought a new button-down shirt with a front pocket he’s never going to use. His neat pants are black and ironed, and his leather shoes are uncomfortable but help complete his sharp look. His aunt even took a photo of him before he left to send to his parents.
The next four to arrive are people Owen recognizes from town, but he’s never seen them in the library, which doesn’t say much since he’s still new. He’s happy to see that everyone knows each other, and they easily slip into conversations while eating the food at the side of the library. Francie eyes them like a hawk, but Owen appreciates her support in all of this.
Three more people arrive by the time they should start with the book club. Shelby claps her hands to get everyone’s attention, telling them to take their seats.
“Who are you waiting for?” Francie asks him.
“What? No one.”
“Well, you’ve been looking at the door like there’s someone specific you’re expecting.”
“There isn’t.” He hasn’t spoken with Will in the last two days, and it’s not like Will has promised to bring his sister over. Maybe she isn’t feeling well enough. But he did hope that Will himself might stop by to offer his support.
It’s just a little book club. I don’t need support.
While everyone sits in a circle, Shelby remains standingin her long black dress. “Thank you all for joining the first-ever Van Buren Library book club! Let’s start by giving a round of applause to our handsome librarian who set it all up. He also made those beautiful postersallover town.”
