Page 52 of Beaten

“Forgiven.” There was a pause before she spoke again. “I think she likes him too, but she seems nervous, like she’s not sure it’s okay to like him.”

AJ added, “Ashley said Emily likes him but Asshat Craig fucked her up pretty bad, wrecked her confidence.”

Great, it wasn’t enough that Jack and Meg were discussing my non-relationship with Emily, but so were AJ and Ashley.

“She’s rooting for them to get together. She said, and I quote, “Em deserves a hot guy who’ll protect her and treat her like the queen she is.” Then she reminded me that while she wants that for herself someday too, she’s not ready to give up her single-girl lifestyle just yet.”

Meg laughed. “Do you want more?”

“Nah.” I could hear the humor in his voice.

Thank God, they‘re done talking about me and Emily. I was about to step around the corner but stopped dead when I heard Meg say, “A hundred bucks says they hook up tomorrow.”

Well fuck!I waited to see what Jack and AJ would say.

“I never take a bet I’m guaranteed to lose.” Jack laughed.

“He knows better than to bet against me, I’m a stud.” AJ sounded proud as a peacock.

It wasn’t about us.Thank God.

“And humble,” Meg added, “But I was talking about Jamie and Emily. I expected you to hook up with Ashley tonight.”

Shit. Meg was still talking about us. I debated walking away but couldn’t make my feet to move. I wasn’t proud of myself for eavesdropping but I couldn’t help it.

“Nah, she didn't want to bail on Emily.” Meg made that sound girls make when they think someone is being sweet, it sounds something like “aw” but is usually longer and at a pitch that makes dogs whimper.

“Should we try to encourage them?” Meg asked.

“No, we need to let them figure things out on their own. They both have some stuff to work through. And let’s not forget she’s his best friend’s little sister.”

Thank you, Jack! Now maybe they’d leave us alone.

“Chris knows Jamie’s a great guy and he has to know Emily would be lucky to date him.” Meg argued.

I was grateful to them for defending me, and annoyed they wouldn’t stop talking about it.My head’s all over the fucking place.

“You’re right, but big brother’s tend to get irrationally protective about their little sisters. Though I do think he’d come around eventually.” Jack answered. After I pause, he added, “But we have to let them figure it out for themselves. So no playing Cupid, okay?”

I could have heard a pin drop in the ensuing silence.

“Meg?” Jack asked.

“Fine. I won’t play Cupid. Happy?” I could imagine her pouting.

“Blissfully.”

I didn’t need, or want, to hear anymore, and knowing I couldn’t pretend I hadn’t overheard their conversation if I joined them, I slunk down the hallway and went to bed.

So much has changed in the last two weeks.

I ran towards the car, my heart pounding, my lungs gasping for air. I heard the gunshot cut through the eerie silence like a crack of thunder. Then another. My heart stopped. My feet didn’t. Blood splattered the windows. After what felt like an eternity, I reached the car. My gun drawn as I reached for the driver’s side door handle. I was too late. Dave was leaning against the steering wheel, blood, and flesh oozing from the hole in the back of his head.Please God. I looked over and saw Isabelle slumped against the passenger side window, lifeless. I ran to the other side and ripped the door open.Please, dear God, let her be alive. My stomach heaved as the metallic smell of fresh blood, her blood, overwhelmed me. I pulled Isabelle from the car and fell to my knees, clutching her still body to my chest, sobbing. She didn’t have a pulse. “No No No.” I looked to the sky and released my heartbreak in a blood-curdling scream.

I jerked awake, haunted by the memory of Isabelle’s death. I picked up my phone: three-twenty-two.

At least I hadn’t woken anyone up by screaming. I walked over to my dresser. I didn’t need light to see Isabelle’ssmiling face in our wedding picture—it’d been seared into my memory a long ago.

“I’m so sorry.” I whispered as I wiped away the tears rolling down my cheeks. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep, I took my laptop to the kitchen table and updated my notes for Emily’s file.

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