Page 62 of Tell Me It’s Right

GRACIE

The shop is empty and dark as I pull up on my bike. Frowning, I lock it up and search for the extra key Liam keeps in a fake rock near the corner of the store. He didn’t offer any details about whatever errands he had to take care of, so maybe those are running later than expected.

Which is fine. I was planning on cleaning up to take a few more pictures today, and it’ll be easier without him here.

I head toward the closet to get the cleaning supplies and wince as I catch sight of myself in the mirror. My lip is swollen, though it looks better after the painkillers I took this morning. The bruising is rapidly getting worse. It’s a deeper red, nearly purple, and it makes my mouth look twice as big as usual. It’s a good thing I’ll bebehindthe camera.

The shop was pretty tidy to begin with, so I finish up within twenty minutes. I double-check my phone to see if Liam texted to let me know he’d be late, but there’s nothing. Hedidsay to meet him here at eleven, right?

The small red light on the shop phone is on, which I think means there’s a voicemail. I hesitate, not knowing what to do. I’m not sure why he’d call here instead of my cell, and handling the phone isn’t really in my job description.

I click to listen to it anyway, then leave the phone on speaker.

“You have three new messages.”

I chew on my lip.

“Real fucking mature blocking me, Liam,” spits a feminine voice. “You do realize that’s not going to make this go away, right? Man the fuck up and stop running away from all your problems for once in your life.”

“I—oh.” I try to shut it off—this definitely isn’t for my ears—but the next one starts playing automatically.

“You’ve always been such a coward. Good to see nothing’s changed. You’re so fucking pathetic, Liam. This isn’t going away.I’mnot going away.”

My spine stiffens. I don’t recognize the voice, but I’m pretty sure I know who it belongs to. And I’m too far in to stop listening now.

The final message starts with a drawn-out sigh. “I’m sorry, Li. I’m just frustrated. You know how I get. I just want to talk to you. Don’t you think I deserve at least a conversation? Can you please hear me out about this? I still love you. YouknowI still love you. AndI knowyou still love me too, so I’ll back off and wait until you’re ready to talk. You know where to find me.”

Not a second after her voice cuts off, the phone rings. I jump and curse under my breath as the shrill sound cuts through the air.

After a few rings, I sigh and grab it. “Brooks Tattoos?”

“Gracie, thank God.”

My heart drops into my stomach at the tone of Liam’s voice. I pull the phone away from my ear and inspect the number on the screen, but it’s not one I recognize.

There’s a hint of static, and then: “Gracie? Are you there?”

“Liam?Where are you calling from? Why are you calling me on here?”

He sighs heavily, and there’s a long stretch of silence before he says, “The Ocean County precinct. This was the only number I knew off the top of my head.”

“Thepolice station?—?”

“Yes. I don’t think they’re going to give me a lot of time, so I need you to listen to me. There’s cash in the safe in the back of the shop that should be enough to post bail. I need you to bring me the yellow envelope. The code is 7742. There’s also a spare key for my truck in there. I…well, I need you to head over to the park about two blocks from the shop and pick it up. Can you do that, please?”

Post bail.

As in he’s beenarrested.

“Liam,” I whisper, knowing full well there is no one around and if anyone wants to listen from his side, they’re probably recording it. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“If you’re fucking pranking me right now?—”

“I swear to you, I’m not.”

“Why the hell were you arrested?”

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