Page 9 of Beyond Oblivion

“Is he working late?” Olive asked, frowning. “Aren’t you usually the last to leave?”

“He’s helping Madison Davis with something at her new apartment. Curtains or… something.”

“Madison Davis? Mackenzie’s little sister?” Jim asked, surprised.

“The very one.”

Olive made a face. “She was a senior when I was in eighth grade. Not a fan.”

“Oh, really?” I asked. “How did you know her when you were at the junior high?”

Olive made a face. “She used to ask me about Trent all the time. It was weird.”

Before I could string together a complete thought, Olive continued.

“I don’t care who she is. We’re his favorites and we have dinner plans. He better not be late for Chicken Joe’s. It’s sacred.” She popped another cheese ball into her mouth and crunched it loudly.

“I’m sure he—” I began, but the door burst open.

“I’m here! I’m not late!” Trenton said, slamming the door behind him. He seemed out of breath.

Olive stood. “You’re late, and I know this because I was late, and I got here before you.”

“I hurried. I wasn’t going to miss Chicken Joe’s night with my girls! You crazy?”

Olive tried not to smile. “Did you run here? You look sweaty.”

Trenton glanced at me. “I had to put up curtains. And then a broom organizer, put together a credenza with instructions that were all in Chinese.”

“Oh,” I said.

“But I’m here and we’re going!” Trenton said. “Are we goin’? Let’s go!” He looked to me. “We can take the truck. I can bring you by to pick up your vehicle tomorrow.”

I made a face. “Do we have to?”

“Yes,” he said, pecking my cheek. “I wanna ride with my girls.”

Olive walked over to him and nudged him with her elbow. He grabbed her and squeezed her tight while she playfully groaned, pretending to hate it.

“Madison put you to work,” I said.

“Yeah, when I was done with one thing, she realized there was something else. We got all caught up, though. Do you know a Dayton Wells?”

“Doesn’t ring a bell,” I said, looking to Jim.

Jim shook his head.

We all looked to Olive, who shrugged. “I’ve heard of him, but he’s older than me. He was kind of a bully from the few things I’ve heard. I didn’t know they were a thing. I thought Maddie was dating Avery’s brother.”

“Yeah, well, apparently the Dayton kid’s her ex. A real abusive jack ass. I hope I don’t run into him anytime soon.”

Olive glanced at me, and I looked to Jim, and then back to Trenton. “Sounds like you got all the tea. We should get a move on; Olive was hungry when she got here and I’ve chosen three hundred and forty-two times not to eat the cheeseballs she’s been chomping on.”

“Wait,” Trenton said, checking his pockets. “I don’t think I have quarters.”

Olive rolled her eyes. “I’m not a baby anymore.”

“Oh, yeah!” Trenton said, nudging her with his shoulder.

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