Page 38 of What They Say

Kath felt her face heat. “Both, maybe. Chase is...nice. Different. Doesn’t push.”

Maudie studied her for a long moment. “Just be careful, okay? I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I will,” Kath promised. “I’m trying to be smart about it.”

They ended up ordering takeout and watching an old movie together—something they hadn’t done in months. For a change, one that was very welcome, the house felt less like a battlefield and more like home.

Maudie’s phone rang, and she answered it with a quick “’Lo?”

She listened for a few beats, then said, “I can be there in twenty. No sweat, boss man. Happy to get those extra hours.” She dropped the phone in her lap. “And just like that, I’ve got another six hours of work.”

“It’s late already. When will you get off?” Kath rolled her neck side to side. “Want me to wait up?”

“No need. We’ll do last call at 2:00 a.m. and shut the doors thirty minutes later. I’ll just come home and fall into bed.” Maudie pushed up from the couch, gathering the trash and remaining food. “I’m gonna head out.” She popped into the kitchen and back out again. “See you later, little sister.”

Kath gave her a brief wave, grinning. The door closed, and a moment later, Maudie’s car coughed to life, the sound dwindling quickly as she drove away.

“And just like that, I’m alone again.” Kath got up from the couch, locked the front door, turned off the TV, and headed to her room, already unbuttoning her pants.

***

Boy with quiet eyes and music in his hands

Makes me want to trust when I don’t understand

Said we can go slow, no pressure, no demands

But my heart’s already running where my head won’t let it land

She set the pen down and stared at the words.

It’d been an hour since she responded to Chase’s text, but she wasn’t worried. They had practice now, and he’d need to be focused on OY, dialing in like she’d watched him do a few times. It became like everything else fell away, leaving his quivering core of music.

As she lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, she let herself imagine what it might feel like to let someone in.

To let him in.

And for the first time, the fear didn’t completely drown out the hope.

***

Later that night, Kath paced the small living room for the tenth time, phone clutched tight in her hand. The clock on the wall read 3:47 a.m. Maudie should’ve been home long ago. She always texted when she was going to be late—even if it was just a quick *staying at Jen’s* or *don’t wait up*.

But tonight? Nothing.

Kath had already called Maudie’s three closest friends. Jen hadn’t seen her since yesterday. Sarah said she thought Maudie was working a double at the bar. No one knew where she was.

Her stomach twisted tighter with every unanswered ring when she tried Maudie’s number again.

“Dammit, Maudie,” she whispered when it went to voicemail, pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes.

This wasn’t like her sister. Not anymore. Not since they’d started trying to be better to each other. Not since the night they’d actually talked about Mom and the debt and everything they were carrying.

Her phone buzzed. Emy’s name lit up the screen.

Kath answered on the first ring, voice shaky. “Emy—”

“Breathe,” Emy said immediately, her voice steady even from half a state away. “I can hear you spiraling through the phone. What’s going on?”