Page 50 of My Secret to Protect

‘Fine, me and Zo.’

Laughing, Arlo hands me another bar, this time, a healthier choice made with granola that I would usually reach for since there’s less sugar. Today, though, I grimace, turning up my nose, and he rolls his eyes as he swaps it out for more candy, and I lower to sit on the ground. Beans comes over to lay next to me once more, and Arlo sits on a rock behind me. The dog lifts his head to glance at his daddy, once happy that he’s staying put, then drops his head onto my thigh.

‘How’d you sleep last night?’ Arlo asks, and my shoulders rise with the tension the question brings. ‘Bree,’ he pushes, and I run my hand over Beans’ head and down his body.

‘Shitty. I’ve given up hoping that I will sleep at this point.’

‘How much are you getting?’

‘It’s hard to say. It’s off and on most of the night.’

‘What wakes you?’

‘Noises, dreams, sometimes I wake up, but I’m too afraid to open my eyes in case he’s in my room.’ Admitting that makes a knot of panic tighten in my belly. Beans raising his head alerts me to Arlo’s movement and I turn my head to watch as he drops to sit next to me.

‘What will help you get some sleep, Bree?’

‘Knowing he’s in the ground,’ I answer without hesitation turning back to the view, and I feel his gaze scrutinizing me. ‘There’s only one way this can go, Arlo. I’ve made my peace with that.’

‘Good. Then we’re on the same page.’

You Still Like Sitting Out in A Storm?

Arlo

‘Issheokay?’Mrs.C asks as we chat, and I nod, even though she can’t see me. Bree is paddling her feet in the water while Beans jumps around excitedly, trying to get her to swim with him. The sound of her laughter fills the air, and it’s beautiful.

‘She’s doing okay. He hasn’t made a move yet.’

‘You think he’s given up?’ I hear the hope in her voice, and I don’t want to disappoint her, but I can feel him watching her, and I know Bree can too.

‘No. I wish I could say I thought that so we could all get back to normal.’

‘Do you?’

‘Mrs. C.’ I groan.

‘Look, all I’m saying is y’all were close once. Couldn’t you be close again?’

‘That isn’t going to happen. I’m here because of you, not because of any residual feelings for her.’

I watch as Beans dives under the surface of the lake, and I hear Mrs. C sigh.

‘Okay, you know I love you both. I just…’

‘It was a long time ago.’ I shake my head, hating that we’re having this conversation again. ‘I’ll make sure she’s safe, and then I’m going back to my life.’

‘Well, I appreciate what you’re doing, Arlo. I really do.’

‘I better get going.’ My voice is flat as I say my goodbyes and watch as Bree sits in the sand once more, stretching out her legs to let her feet dry before shielding herself and squealing as Beans shakes his wet body right next to her. The spray of water coming off him catches the sunlight, and I can’t help my laugh at their joy. She’s different today, as if the lake has some magical band-aid qualities or something like it’s healing something in her just being up here.

Suddenly, the solution to help Bree hopefully get the rest she needs hits me. Unlocking my cell once more, I scroll to the new contact I’m yet to use and shoot off a text message to my new friend, Nick, before standing.

‘Bud,’ I call out, and my lump of a dog turns to stare at me. I can’t help but laugh at the expression on his face and the water dripping off him. ‘Come on, you big idiot.’ Bree turns to look at me, so I add, ‘You too, Beans.’ Then I laugh at the shocked expression on her face.

‘You want to come over tonight. We’ll grill up those steaks I promised you?’ I ask as we approach town once more. We’re walking side by side, but I keep my eyes forward as I feel her turn to look at me.

‘You promised me ice cream.’

---