Page 97 of Loud Unspoken Memories

When my mind drifts back to the past week with thoughts of Marti and Charlie, guilt begins to consume me. The mother and child I should be thinking about are right here, practically under my feet. What was up with that strange dream? And why did I have it twice?The exact fucking dream. I can’t get it out of my head. In the dream, Phoebe said it was all me, that all those words she’s said in my previous dreams were my words, not hers. But then how can I believe the words in last night’s dream were hers? It’s all one huge clusterfuck inside my head right now.

“Dallas?”

My head swivels. To my surprise, Allie is approaching, bundled in her cold weather running clothes.

“How in the hell did you know I was here?” I ask.

“I didn’t. I jog by the cemetery almost every day. When I saw someone sitting over here, I had to come see who it was.” She bends over, hands on hips, as if she’s had a long run. Then she gives Bex a pat on the head. “Since when do you have a dog?”

“Long story.”

She shoves me aside and I make room for her on the bench. “But one you’ll tell me, right?” she asks.

I shrug.

She elbows me. “I didn’t even know you came here.”

“I don’t. I mean, I didn’t. Until now.”

One of her brows rises in curiosity. “Reeeeeealy?”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

She shrugs innocently. “Just that some mysterious woman shows up in your life, gets stranded at your cabin for a week, and suddenly, you’re here.”

“It was ten days. And one doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the other.”

“Whatever you say.”

I shake my head. She’s as tenacious as Marti.

And there’s the guilt again. My eyes rake over Phoebe’s name on the headstone and I silently apologize.

“You’re staying for Lucas’s party tomorrow, aren’t you?” she asks.

“I might make an appearance. But I have to head back to my cabin first.”

She flashes me a set of crazy eyes. “Dallas, why? You’re here now. Why would you drive four hours there and then four more back tomorrow?”

“There are things I need to take care of.” I stand and hold out Bex’s leash. “Can you take Bex until I get back? He’s been in the truck long enough. And I might need the room.”

“Need the room for what?”

“Stuff.”

Her eyes widen like dinner plates. “Dallas, are you—”

“Don’t get too excited. I’m not sure what I’m doing. Will you watch him or not?”

She takes the leash. “Sure.”

“Come on. I’ll give you a ride home. I’ve got some of his stuff in my truck.”

We ride in silence, mostly because I refuse to be a part of the Spanish Inquisition. When I pull up to Mom and Dad’s house, I ask, “Are you ever moving out?”

“Tried once last year when Mia and I got an apartment together. But honestly? Why would I give all this up? Montana Manor has everything, including an apartment for me with a separate entrance over the garage. And at over twelve-thousand square feet, I never even have to see Mom and Dad if I don’t want to. Not that I don’t want to.”

“So, what, you’re going to live here forever?”

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