Page 15 of Writing On The Wall

“And last month, I found out that the owners of my complex were selling my unit, so I had to move. But I’d alreadygiven all my money to Ross and couldn’t afford to pay a deposit on a new place. I hadn’t planned to sleep in my car this long. It just sorta happened.”

“Ivy June Marsh, did it not cross your mind to ask for help?”

“I honestly didn’t think Ineededhelp. Ross was supposed to repay me weeks ago. I’ve only spent a few nights in my car. That’s like a road trip. It’s no big deal.”

“What about Ember? You don’t think she’d want to know about this?”

“Uh-uh, you cannottell Ember. She has enough on her plate. I don’t want her worrying about me. Swear you won’t tell her, y’all, please?” I turn to each of them, unashamedly giving them my best puppy eyes.

“Fine, but you should’ve come to us. And you’re sleeping here tonight.” Gail nods.

“Thank you, but I actually have a solution to all of this, for now.”

Opal lifts a chin to the retirement village. “You get hitched to one of the old geezers about to kick the bucket while you were over there?”

“Ew, no. Gran gave me a house,” I say proudly.

“Well, excuse us! You’re going to have to back way up, missy.” Opal’s eyes grow wide as she blinks at me.

I give them a recap, leaving out the faking-dating bits. It’s just easier. Lord knows I’ll screw up if I have to constantly remember who knows what, so I also tell them I’m currently in a very casual relationship with my coworker.

“I have the keys to my new home and a place to sleep. Problem solved.”

I also skip over the part about my new home possibly being unlivable, because I’ve had enough vulnerability for one night.I’ll have a roof over my head and hopefully a working toilet. I can deal with the rest later.

I sigh. “Opal, your robin just pooped on my car.”

“I swear they’re spawn sent by that witch across the road. Speaking of Agnes, did you find her and tell her to stick it where the sun don’t shine?”

“Stick what?” Gail chimes in.

“Anything’ll do.” Opal’s bottom lip arches and she shrugs. “A shoe comes to mind.”

She turns back to me, gaze sharp. “Well…did you find her?”

“That’s a negative,” I fib. “Also I’m not comfortable telling a complete stranger to suck it.”

“Coward,” Opal grunts, and Gail snickers while my head falls to her shoulder. It truly is a marvel how I’ve kept this secret from them for this long, although I’m still a little worried they’ll murder me with hard stares and elbow pokes when they find out my beloved Gran is their sworn enemy.

CHAPTER EIGHT

ETHAN

My foot pushes against the floor, making my office chair swivel around for the third time. I may look bored, but my brain operates best when I’m on the move. That need to stay busy feels like an itch; my body doesn’t tolerate stillness for too long.

My brother taps on my door as he enters and leans on a cabinet with his arms folded, watching me spin.

“Eth.”

“What?” I pause my swiveling.

“Do you need more work? What is…this?” He gestures at my chair.

“My morning routine.”

“Okay, then. I need a favor.”

“Weneed a favor,” Colton’s fiancée, Ember, announces as she enters and goes over to mirror his stance.

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