Page 24 of Over the Edge

I’m uncertain what Avery knows about Garrett’s background. She was always around the band, but so was I. Based on the fact that when I told her about coming to Hartsfall she didn’tmention his connection to it, it doesn’t feel right to share it if he’s gone to such lengths to keep it a secret.

“Details,” she urges.

“Reddish orange hair, scars, a bit of a player.” My voice lowers.

“Tell me more.”

“A bit touchy, but as we both know I like that in a relationship,” I say, drawing out the moment. “Oh, and he meows on occasion, but I think it’s part of his charm.”

I delight as my words register and Avery’s face falls. “I really hope you’re talking about a cat.”

“And if I wasn’t?”

“Then I’d assume that you might have stumbled into a cult and not a cute small town.” She cocks her head. “Which would actually be more interesting.”

“Okay, well, now I know to bump up alleged culty small towns over cute ones if we ever take a vacation.” The blanket rustles around me as I burrow in deeper.

“You make me feel so seen. Well, except for the fact that you’re wearing mirrored sunglasses, and I have no idea if you’re looking at me or not,” she says. “One second.” She holds up her finger as she mutters something to her makeup artist. “Sorry about that, I have like five more minutes before the photoshoot for new promo shots with the he-devil.” The names she gives Wes have always been a fairly good indicator how she’s feeling about him. The more intricate and unique the more likely she’s channeled her rage into the identifier. All things considered,he-devilis mild. “The shirt he’s wearing shouldn’t legally be allowed to be called a garment.”

“Cropped?” I ask.

She rolls her eyes and says, “It’s like he gave a five-year-old scissors and told them to go wild.”

“Ahh, as vain as ever, and can’t wait to show off his abs to millions of innocent magazine consumers?”

“Yes, you have a way with words.”

“I don’t and that’s a major problem,” I groan out.

“So, a tiny naked cupid didn’t shoot you in the ass with a comically large arrow then send you writing through the night?”

“Excuse you,” I gasp in mock offense. “Cupid wears a very tasteful diaper, or a sash, or something.”

“Not in the statues I’ve seen.”

“Well, my modern cupid is aware of indecent exposure laws, and no, I don’t have an arrow wound in my ass. My piano needs to be tuned, which I should have expected due to its little road trip, so I’ll have to haul someone out here,” I say, which reminds me of the more immediate hurdles I need to tackle.

A loud thumping comes and Avery’s eyes flick to something off screen. “I’ve got to go. Good luck.”

“I need it,” I say, but I doubt she hears me because she hangs up mid-sentence.

I open the house rental app and message Alina, as she’s the only other person I know with a piano nearby.

Evelyn

Do you have a referral for a piano tuner?

Alina

I’ll send him over.

My stomach drops. There’s one option whoheis. But based on the foggy memories of last night,heshould be long gone.

10

Garrett

Alina’s doing a terrible job of pretending not to eavesdrop through the kitchen window to where I'm standing on her back deck. I never get any privacy in this town. It doesn’t matter where I go, my conversation with Holt will be broadcasted through a group chat in a matter of minutes.

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