Page 31 of One of Six

"Cajun mac n' cheese."

My stomach grumbles at the prospect. "I can eat now."

"Good... Let me serve it up.”

"How long are you staying today?"

"Your father asked me to stay until everyone leaves." She brings me a dish and the smell makes my stomach growl. She continues, "Don't worry about me. Go read in your room." She reaches over and kisses my forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow."

Evelyn dashes out into the foyer as I head up the back stairs.

It's nice and quiet up here. In my bedroom, I leave the food and the bottle of water on my desk. While Richard is distracted downstairs, it’s an excellent moment to sneak into the master bedroom.

I listen carefully to the muffled chatter downstairs and move quietly into their bedroom. My heart is pounding so loudly that I can't hear anything but the blood rushing through my ears.

Not wanting to be caught loitering, I dash into the room and close the door behind me. I avoid thinking about last night as I look around. I once caught Mom taking a phone off a shelf. She fiddled with it before hiding it in the bathroom.

That's where I am now, looking for the hamper. It’s not here. Does Evelyn have it downstairs? Mom hid the phone in a zip pocket.

I was really hoping to find it and see what was on it. It wasn't her everyday phone. A different color too.

Back in the bedroom, no matter how hard I try not to think about it, I can't stop wondering where she died. Tears itch behind my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall.

I center myself and move slowly around the room. The white shelves hold photographs, vases, flowers, and literature. And there it is. Mom has a white cell phone. I take it out of its hiding place between two books. The books had been pushed together, but there was still enough room for the camera to see the room.

The door handle rattles, causing me to panic. I quickly put the phone in my pocket and grab a book called Butterflies and Darkness.

Richard walks in and stops dead in his tracks. "What are you doing in here?"

"I wanted a book to read. One of moms. I miss her."

He refuses to look at me and motions for me to leave. He slams the door behind me, making the hinges rattle.

My legs feel like jelly as I walk down the hall. I walk into my room and lock the door behind me.

That was close.

I take the phone out of my pocket as I throw the book on the bed. The phone is dead. I unlock my desk drawer, grab my charging cable, and plug everything in. The battery icon appears, so that's fine. I don't need a full charge. Just enough juice to see what's on it.

When I saw Mom with it, I assumed she was recording something. I cringe and hope she wasn't recording them having sex. That would totally freak me out. I put the phone and cable at the back of my desk and put the small bulletin board in front of it so that no one would see it if they come into my room.

The book catches my attention, and a pang of remorse runs through me. Mom would never let me read this. Too sexy.

16

BOONE

We knowa lot of people in Den Hollows and some in Mount Sterling. Not that the Mount Sterling buddies would ever tell their family.

Street barbecue happens at least once a month, great food, great beer, and great company. As four girls sneak by, putting more sway in their steps, I add great sex to my list.

In such scenarios, I usually leave work thinking, ‘Not tonight. Tonight, I plan to eat, have a beer or two, and then go to bed.’ That never happens.

Atilio and I are the more serious brothers. We can shoot the shit and hold our own with the other four, but we'd rather save money and stay home than go out. Essex, who is currently on the fringe, spends most of his free time on the boat. I narrow my eyes as I watch him. Is he about to leave? Thats is not like him.

My eyes scan over the folk here, where I notice Atilio talking to Jenni. Nico is talking to Galen, while Ridge has his arms around two girls.

Back to Essex, he's gone. Sneaky asshole. He's up to something. As I glance around looking for him, I catch Ridge looking off in the direction Essex had been.Hmm.He knows something. I take a step toward my brother and find Mom standing next to me. I grimace at the serious look on her face. "Are you okay?"

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