Page 21 of Breathe Me In

I refused to comment. People always wanted to know the details, like when you see a car wreck.

“The case was never solved,” Bostwick said, filling in for the others who hadn’t heard of it. “The guy wrapped barbed wire around his victims’ necks and choked them with it. Threw their bodies in the river. Bradley and Bree just escaped by the skin of their teeth. Ran like hell and got out of there.”

“Just like you should,” Kennedy muttered. “Read the room.”

“So, you didn’t solve that case?” Ray’s mouth twisted as he folded his arms and sat back.

I could feel the sweat break along my forehead and swallowed hard as my head shot back to that day. I could see the eyes of the killer boring into mine, and I imagined the wire was around my own neck. Fear hit me in a wave. I took a moment to try to get myself under control so I could speak without emotion.

“I think you’d agree the department would hardly let a teen solve a murder.” I gave Ray a wry look. Kennedy pressed his hands against the table, and I could see he was trying to hold back. It wouldn’t do for him to get into it with them over me. I knew he could see how hard this was for me.

The walls seemed to close in on me, and I could feel my heart pound in my chest. “I think I should go.” I grabbed my purse and headed for the door against their protests. I pushed it so hard I nearly hit someone in the face.

“Wow, where’s the fire?” Brad dipped down low to catch my expression when I tried to hide it.

“No fire.” I plastered on a smile. “Kennedy thought it’d be nice for me to meet some of the guys. He invited me for drinks, but I really need to get some sleep.”

“You want me to drive you home?”

I pointed over his shoulder. “No, thanks, I’ve got my truck.”

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah . . . yes, I’m just mentally fried. Go enjoy your friends. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.” I didn’t wait for a response—I hurried across the street and down the two blocks to my truck. Once I was safe in my steel box, I flopped my head forward against the wheel and let fear simmer its way to the surface. Tears burned down my cheeks, and my heart began to race to the point of pain. Thoughts of that awful day at the river swirled in my head, and I knew I just needed to ride out this panic attack, then I could pull myself back together again. Maybe being back in Sheffield really was a bad decision.

“Oh my god,” I whispered as the tremors set in and rooted to my bones.

What I wouldn’t do to feel safe for one day.

Chapter Five

Brad

“You know what Ray’s like.” Kennedy tugged hard on the laces of his skates as he filled me in on the details of the previous night at the Wicked Goose. “He was giving her some newbie hazing, but it was Bostwick that drove her off.”

“Why’s that?”

“He googled her while we were all there. You can imagine how that went.”

He gave me a face, and I closed my eyes and shook my head. I was thankful for the cold air in the rink as my temperature rose.

“He sure as hell didn’t read her body language, if you know what I mean. Gotta give her credit—she held her own for a bit, but after Bostwick’s big reveal she skipped out the second she could. That’s when she bumped into you.”

I wriggled the jersey over my pads and grabbed my gloves and stick. “Shit.” I was pissed.

“At the risk of overstepping, especially on something I promised you I’d never ask and want zero to know about”—he gave me a look—“I know everyone processes trauma in different ways, my friend, but I could practically smell her fear. I kid you not, she went white as a ghost when Bostwick brought it up.” He leaned closer when the ref popped his head through the door to see if we were ready. “All I’m saying is maybe check in with her.”

“Ready?” the ref asked.

“Yeah.” I tried to push Kennedy’s words out of my head. Ever since Bree came back, all sorts of mixed and twisted feelings about so many things had come out of hiding. I’d tried to make a life with Sherry, but I’d failed miserably. The darkness inside me finished us. But in the short time since Bree had returned, I felt better—lighter actually. I just didn’t know what to do with that.

“Come on, let’s go kick NY’s ass.” Kennedy slapped my shoulder. We hurried onto the ice and skated over to where the rest of the team warmed up.

“Drinks tonight?” Kennedy asked as we were about to split up to head for our cars. “I mean, these quick hands”—he wiggled his fingers at me—“basically won the game.” He grinned.

I waved him off with a laugh as my phone vibrated, and I wondered if it was Bree. I hoped last night didn’t play too hard in her head. “I’ll get back to ya,” I called out to him as I tossed my hockey bag into the SUV and slid into the driver’s seat.

Sherry: Thought maybe we could have dinner tonight and talk.