Scarlett nodded. “I’ll be honest here. I wouldn’t blame you if you left purely because of Arlo, but all I ask is that you don’t assume Theo was involved. Where is Arlo now?”
“Theo threatened to call the sheriff when he got close to me. And ... now that I’m saying that, I see your point.” I let out a sigh. “It was just so scary seeing him again. I never thought this would happen here.”
“Do you know why he was there?”
“To visit Theo is what he hinted at. But Theo didn’t seem thrilled about it.”
My phone buzzed with a text. I was tempted to ignore it, but I was curious to see if Joey was close.
Theo
Hey. The sheriff will be keeping a close eye on your place in case Arlo gets any ideas. He knows what he’s done. I’m sorry I was involved in it, and I understand if you never talk to me again.
“Piper?” Scarlett asked. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” I said. “At least I think so. Give me just one second, please.”
I stood and moved toward the window. True to Theo’s word, there was a sheriff parked in front of the shop. The man inside the vehicle was watching the road intently.
“Theo told the sheriff to keep an eye on me,” I said to Scarlett when I sat back down. “He’s outside now.”
“Theo had the right idea,” she said with a smile. “How do you feel about it?”
“Relieved. Curious. Would it be a terrible idea to talk to Theo?”
“Not at all.”
“And if I stay?”
Scarlett hummed as she thought about it. “You like Strawberry Springs, yes?”
“I do.”
“Do you want to leave?”
I thought about it. “No.”
“Then I think everyone deserves a chance to explain themselves.” She gave me a small smile. “Don’t you?”
I’d just finished my session with Scarlett when a loud pounding came at my door. For a moment, my body tensed, but I knew that knock by heart. I had to push the couch back to its spot first.
“H-hey,” I said, still out of breath.
“Did you barricade the door?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Jesus. Are you okay?” His eyes roamed over my form. I wasn’t at my best, but I’d already been through my worst. I was sure my cheeks were red after dragging the couch and my hair was messed up from running my hands through it.
“I think so. I had a session with Scarlett just now. It was short but necessary.”
“Good. I bet she agreed that we need to get you out of here. Where should we start?”
I blinked. I knew I said I’d need to leave, but now that I’d calmed myself down, the idea of me leaving seemed like an overreaction.
“I ... I’m not sure. I’m still a little overwhelmed.”
Joey knew what to do when I was overwhelmed. I hated that I felt this way so often.
