Page 12 of Offside Attraction

They walked into the lobby, the air smelling faintly of disinfectant and something chemically floral. The receptionist barely looked up as they approached the desk. Jordan pulled out his wallet and handed over the credit card he kept for exactly situations like this. It had a five hundred dollar limit.

The receptionist ran the card and handed him a key. “Room 214.”

Jordan turned to Claire and handed her the key. He pulled out cash from his wallet and handed her a couple of twenties. “For food or anything else you need.”

Claire took the cash, her fingers brushing his. “Thanks.”

Jordan hesitated, then looked her in the eye. “You know, Alpha House is still an option. If you want to get clean.”

Claire nodded, her eyes glued to the floor. “I’m doing okay.”

Jordan’s throat tightened. “Right. Okay.” He pulled her into a hug, holding her tight. “I love you, Claire.”

“I love you too.” She pulled back, her eyes glistening. “Thanks.”

Jordan forced a smile, then watched as she walked to the elevator. The doors closed, and he stood there for a moment, his heart aching. He wanted to believe her. She was his sister. But he spent all day with patients just like Claire.

He knew better.

Chapter

Three

Rhonda

On Thursday,Rhonda stepped out of her car and walked up the sidewalk to Penny and Brett's house, her heels clicking on the concrete. Burnt orange and brown leaves collected along the path, nestled into every nook and cranny of the yard like they were huddling together for warmth.

She ascended the freshly stained porch steps and took a deep breath, then rang the doorbell, her stomach doing a little flip of nerves. As she waited, Rhonda inspected the porch swing and the welcome mat. It was a beautiful house. Penny and Brett had bought it together in the spring, and every time she stopped by, it looked a little more like they’d lived there forever.

The door swung open, and Penny, wearing a mustard yellow sweater and tight black jeans, grinned at her. "Hey, you made it!"

Rhonda raised an eyebrow as she stepped in and hugged Penny. “Did you think I was going to bail?”

“I gave it a twenty percent chance.”

“I said thirty!” Brett called from somewhere deeper in the house.

In summer, the place had been light and airy, with large windows that let the sunlight pour in like liquid gold. Now that it was dark by five o’clock and Penny had put up window treatments, the house had transformed into something cozy. The walls were painted a soft, soothing grey, and the furniture was a mix of modern and eclectic pieces that screamed Penny. It was all clean lines and pops of colour.

Rhonda slipped off her shoes and followed Penny down the hall and into the newly remodelled kitchen where Brett was loading the dishwasher. “You’ve got him trained.”

Penny grinned. “Yeah, he’s a keeper.” She slapped his butt as she walked by.

Rhonda sighed. “If only my date were here, I could offer him the same greeting.”

Penny laughed. “I’m sure he’d appreciate it. Water?” She pulled a glass from the cabinet. Rhonda nodded and sat on one of the barstools at the counter. “So, Aaron should be here any minute.”

“Did you tell me his name was Aaron? Or was it just ‘masculine, non-committal contractor.’” Rhonda took the glass of water Penny handed over the counter.

Brett closed the dishwasher. “I took that straight from his dating profile.”

“Mmm. Nice. Great hook.” Rhonda set her glass on the counter. “If he only added his favourite sexual position, he’d fit right in with the others.”

“Do you spend time on those apps?” Penny asked.

Rhonda shrugged. “Sometimes. When I’m out of town. So far, no murderers.”

Penny gave her a look that saidPlan on every three months for that safety lecture, but before Rhonda could assure her she always shared her location and the information of said dates with someone—usually Anne—the doorbell rang.

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