“Hmm.”
He moved into my space. “What I’m saying is…if we’re seen hanging out in the alley, it’s not a big deal.”
“No, it’s making out in the alley that could be a problem,” I countered. “I don’t think we should do that.”
Dex looked as if he were about to argue but nodded instead. “See you later?”
“Okay.”
I felt his stare as I strode toward the street. I turned at the sound of footsteps, thinking he had something more to say. The alley was empty and a little eerie, and maybe that was why the memory hit me out of the blue.
“Do you believe we live forever? I do. We’re part of the universe. It’s a science thing. I’ve been a butterfly and a tree and—don’t laugh at me, V! I was magnificent! I was so tall, my branches touched the sky. I flew into gardens and sometimes houses to watch stupid humans making stupid human mistakes. I hope you know I’m going to haunt you forever. When I die, I’ll follow you. Like a butterfly.”
There were no butterflies in the alley and no beautiful girl with laughing eyes. I stood still, though, wondering if she was here somehow, watching me…or in Burlington, keeping guard over Freya, thinking this was all a mess in the making. Knowing Anni, she’d love it.
“Det här är väldigt rörigt, Anni.”
This is very messy, Anni.
Very messy.
I crushed the to-go cup in my hand, tossed it into a trash bin, and headed for the mill.
CHAPTER 18
DEXTER
Reg popped the tops off two beers and set one on the picnic table. I thanked him absently and continued rubbing Tate’s belly while I read an incoming text from my mom. I didn’t respond. I knew what she wanted, and I could feel my resolve slipping. One weekend in Michigan couldn’t hurt. It would be nice to tell her the news in person.
Or not. I wasn’t sure.
I didn’t have to decide today. Doling out belly rubs to Reg’s insatiable dog was a perfect distraction. Golden retrievers were freaking love sponges. Tate would have happily lain at my side on the grass all day, soaking in love he paid back in slobbery kisses.
“You keep that up, and he’s gonna want to go home with you,” Reg warned, perching on the rail of his deck. “Not sure how Rhys and Gretch will feel about that.”
I chuckled as I rescued the beer, straddling the picnic bench to face my friend. Reg was a big man who served DILF vibes with a badge. He was a tall, fit dude in his midforties with salt-and-pepper hair and a quiet confidence and an unwavering sense of right and wrong that made you feel safe. Like anyone’s version of a decent cop.
We’d met eight years ago when he’d pulled me over forillegally passing a slow-as-fuck logging truck on Belvedere. I’d been in Wood Hollow for all of twenty-four hours and couldn’t wait to make my escape to civilization. The bleak air of the town had fit my mood a little too well. An afternoon in Elmwood or Fallbrook or Pinecrest had been my goal.
Even then, I hadn’t been sorry I’d agreed to help Troy out at the high school. It had been exactly the right move after my divorce—get out of town and start anew. Wood Hollow was supposed to have been my short stop, not my end game.
But Reg had been instrumental in changing my mind. And no, not because he was police porn personified. In fact, we’d been friends-only for a good six years before loneliness and attraction persuaded us to give a sexual arrangement a try.
After he’d issued the ticket and finished lecturing me about safety and rules of the road in a logging community, Reg had asked if I was passing through or planning to stay for a while. He’d seemed genuinely interested to meet the new assistant coach. He’d played for Wood Hollow High back in the day and couldn’t believe Coach Wilburton hadn’t retired years ago. He’d given me a few local recommendations. The pizza at Mike and Sam’s was amazing, Log Cabin Diner served great pancakes, but if I was into finer dining I’d do best to check out Elmwood or Pinecrest.
By the time he’d tapped the hood of my car, I was out a hundred bucks yet somehow felt as if I’d met a new friend. Weird. That shit would never have happened in Detroit.
Fast forward almost a decade later, and I counted Reg as one of my best friends. We’d gone from casual acquaintances to buddies who’d navigated milestones, good and bad—like his divorce and foray into single parenthood, my new business and dealing with the fallout from my past.
The ex-lovers part was a bump in the road and probably a mistake, but it was nice to think we’d finally gotten through it.
“What time were you going to fire up the barbecue?” I asked, taking a pull of my beer.
Reg glanced at his watch. “Twenty minutes. Coop and Silas should be here soon. Hank and Denny might be late, and Troy—is he coming, or is he out with the Elmwood med student again?”
“I think he’ll be here.”
“Great. So…you’re early.” He flashed a wry smile. “What’s up? And don’t say nothing—you’re practically vibrating over there. I think I know what it is and if I’m right, I’m happy for you. I don’t know the guy at all, but Cooper does and he?—”
