Page 84 of Unexpected

“She came into the bar on Halloween right after you left with Hazel. Tried to talk to me and wouldn’t leave me the fuck alone for most of the night. I finally got security to escort her out, but not before she got in my face. The look on her face was fucking murderous, and she was talking about how much you needed her.”

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” I don’t know how Josh understood me, I was fucking seething and barely comprehended the words coming out of my own mouth.

“I know how you are about her, and you were doing well. I didn’t want you backsliding just because she confronted me. It didn’t seem like it was necessary to tell you.”

“You said this happened on Halloween?”

“Yes…”

Fuck. It all clicked into place—how she got my number, knew about Hazel, knew where we lived and why she’d asked about Josh. My heart was hammering in my chest, and I couldn’t catch my breath.

“I’m on my way home. Call Murphy’s and let them know you’ll be late.” I didn’t wait for him to respond before I ended the call. I gave myself two minutes to get a hold of my emotions before I saw Hazel again.

It took more than two minutes, but when I walked into the kitchen, Hazel didn’t seem too concerned about my extended phone call. She was listening to a Justin Timberlake song on a low volume, swinging her hips and mouthing the words while she finished taping what looked like the final box of kitchen items.

She’d thrown her college alumni sweatshirt back on with her skintight black leggings.

I watched her for a moment. She was carefree and seemed happy, like for a minute the world wasn’t weighing her down. Once she got past everything, I knew she’d just be sassy fucking sunshine all the damn time.

I’d do anything to protect that sassy sunshine; I wouldn’t let Valerie ruin it. I would come up with a plan to keep her safe, and if it meant letting her go… I’d do it. It would quite literally kill me, but I’d do it.I’d suffer a million times over if it ensured her safety.

Knowing it was a possibility, I committed the scene in front of me—Hazel dancing in the kitchen—to memory. Something to call upon when life was shit.Which it would be without her.

She whirled with the chorus of the music, lip-syncing the words but stopped immediately, her eyes going wide when she caught me watching.

I cracked a smile, memorizing the embarrassment washing over her face and the blush on her cheeks and neck.

“How long have you been standing there?” she asked, turning the volume down even lower.

“Only for a minute or two.” I crossed the living room and into the kitchen. “Did you finish in here?”

She nodded. “Yep. Now, I need to finish my bedroom and I’ll be ready for tomorrow.”

“Good, good.” I didn’t want to leave her. “I have to go. Josh needs me.”

Her brow furrowed. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, just something with Zach. Everything’s good, though.” I internally cringed at using my nephew as an out, but I couldn’t very well tell Hazel about my conversation with Valerie until I had a plan to keep her safe. If then even.Maybe it would be better if she never knew.

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Yeah.”

She watched me curiously, but I tried to keep my face neutral.

“You sure everything’s okay?” She crossed her arms over her chest, and I knew she saw through my facade.

I smoothed my hands down her arms and tugged her to me. “Yes,” I said as I kissed her forehead. When I felt her lean into me, I relaxed a little, letting some of the tension dissipate. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Even if it was just to help her move and say goodbye.

THIRTY-TWO

Luke

I foundJosh pacing back and forth in front of the kitchen sink with his hands fisted in his hair.

He stopped when I came around the corner. With a pained, apologetic look on his face, he shook his head and opened his mouth to speak, but I held my hand up, stopping him.

“Your phone. Did you lose it the same night you saw Valerie? On Halloween, when I picked up Hazel?” He closed his eyes and ran his hands down his face but eventually nodded.

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