Page 40 of Forgiving Fate

I don’t care if I sound like an ungrateful little brat. His pity is the last thing I want. I don’t want his money. I just need my fucking life back.

I expect Landon to react, but he doesn’t. He just nods and says, “You aren’t a charity case. And you and Lo may not be good now or ever, but she counts you as family, and that means something to me. This is what you do for family.” I go to interrupt him and he stops me. “Please don’t say anything about you being one of our victims. You aren’t. I’ve told you that. But shit happened to you Allie, and you won’t let anyone else help you. Not that I blame you, but you are in a new city, and it may be good to have one person you allow to help you. Even if you say you don’t need it.”

What. The. Hell?

Where the hell did this assertive, yet kind and confident version of Landon come from? Either the Washington air is crack or he just really hates being away from home and it makes him act unusual.

The urge to yell at him and tell him to fuck off is strong, but I don’t. Because part of me knows he is right. I can’t do everything on my own. I don’t even know how to get out of this town, let alone where anything is. I could look it up, but this temporary phone is already going to shit.

Exhaustion and defeat overcomes me. “Just answer this. Where is the money coming from? Because I know I have enough to cover a new phone and enough for a down payment on a car, but I’m not working, so that’s going to go quickly.”

Landon nods and says, “He didn’t drain your bank account. He took some, but it wasn’t more than a couple hundred.” He pauses and I level my gaze with him, not even phased at this point that he knows how to get into my bank account. “But youdon’t have to worry about money. For a while. I know you are going to argue, but please don’t. You can ask as many questions as you want; they will all lead to the same place. You are family now whether or not you are ready to accept it and we always help family.”

I nod, partially because he’s right and ultimately because I don’t have the energy to fight the inevitable. I’m stuck in this tree haven with nothing but memories that haunt me every second of the day and this strangely quiet, but not when it matters most man, who confuses the shit out of me.

We stand there for a few minutes while I look out at the trees swaying in the wind, then I go inside and get dressed.

The drive to Seattle is quiet and even in my current state of mind, I have to admit this place is beautiful. The tree-lined roads and mountains in the distance are breathtaking. From everything Logan told me about this place, I expected it to be raining the entire time, but I guess it is a rare sunny day, making everything look like a photo straight out of National Geographic.

The outline of Seattle comes into view as we crest over a hill and I’m immediately transported back in time to when Logan explained why she wanted to move out here. She didn’t say much, but I knew then there was a special memory attached to it. And even though I don’t know if I will ever forgive her or look at her the same, I can tell whatever brought her here was some type of hidden omen.

Just as that thought crosses my mind, it immediately turns sour. Her move was possibly the catalyst that turnedhissights onhisnext prey. Anger rises in my chest and I want to kick myself. Why can’t I just sit and enjoy a drive without my mind racing and making me think about things I have no desire to face at the moment?

My knee bounces and I tuck my hands under my legs to stop them from shaking. Memories play in my mind and I beg them to stop.

Get your shit together Allie.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and try to ground myself when Landon’s voice breaks through the silence. “We’re here.”

I open my eyes to see us pulling into a car lot. As we pull up to the small building at the back of the lot, a man in a polo and jeans comes out. He looks like he is in his mid forties and he wears a Mariners cap. He waves to Landon and Landon lifts his hand off the steering wheel, waving with his fingers.

Unbuckling his seatbelt, Landon turns to me. “You don’t have to get out. It should be pretty quick and then you can follow me to get your phone.” I nod and unbuckle, sinking further into the seat. I know I should have asked him on the ride here how this is all happening, but part of me doesn’t want to know anymore.

He said all the asshole did was take a few hundred, which pisses me off, but it’s better than him draining it. I have a sense of comfort knowing if I ever found the courage, I could make my way back to Florida and attempt to start over.

Landon wasn’t lying because before I can let my mind drift too far, he is walking back to the truck. The salesman is next to him, but when Landon walks up to the door, the man stands at the back of the truck. Odd. But whatever.

Landon meets my gaze through the window and motions for me to open the door. When I do, he steps to the side, giving me a clear exit, while also shielding me from the salesman. His hand lifts and he holds out a set of keys. “Gray Honda Civic parked two cars down.” I take the keys from him and he points toward the car.

“It’s all clear. I checked it twice and found nothing. I loaded the address to the phone store in case we get separated going into downtown Seattle.”

I nod and look down at the keys in my hand. What the hell do I say? Thank you? That doesn’t feel right. He handed me a car and I didn’t have to pay a single penny.

“Allie. You okay?” Landon asks.

“Yeah. I-uh…thanks.” It comes out more of a question and probably nowhere close to the sincerity it needs given the situation, but I am so far out of my norm. I’m lost.

Normal doesn’t exist anymore for you. Your life is fucked from now until forever.

I shake my head, clearing the stupid voices, and hop out of the truck.

Landon and I share a knowing nod and I head over to the car, not bothering to make eye contact with the salesman. Once inside, the new car smell fills my nose and I immediately feel like an ass for not thanking him more.

I hate all of this.

Not giving myself time to think on it all a minute longer, I settle quickly, get familiar with the car, and make my way to the phone store, following Landon the entire time.

Once there, I have no choice but to get out. Luckily, it’s not insanely busy. I am not ready to be around a lot of people at one time right now.

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