Page 49 of Boulder's Weight

"Sam?"

Astra raises an eyebrow. "That's usually a boy's name."

"Not always," I say, thinking of my little brother, the only one in my family who helped me escape. The only one who saw through our father's facade, who risked everything to warn me when Benji found out where I was hiding in Billings. "Sometimes the gentlest souls have the plainest names."

The gray cat—Sam—is close enough now that I can feel her breath on my fingertips.

She sniffs cautiously, then, in a moment that feels significant, bumps her head against my hand.

"Well, would you look at that," Astra says softly. "I think you've made a friend."

My phone vibrates loudly in my pocket, startling Sam, who retreats back under the table.

I pull it out, heart rate accelerating when I see ‘restricted’ on the screen.

"You can take that if you need to," Astra says, moving to collect the cat bowls for washing.

"No, it's okay," I say, letting it go to voicemail.

My voice sounds steady, but my hand trembles slightly as I slip the phone back into my pocket.

No one calls from blocked numbers except people you don't want to talk to.

I finish the closing tasks as if I’m on autopilot.

The truth is, I’m distracted.

That call has shaken me up a bit, and my gut keeps turning.

When Astra heads to the back to check the inventory, I pull out my phone again, staring at the notification of a new voicemail.

My finger hovers over the screen, fear and curiosity battling within me.

Finally, I press play, holding the phone to my ear, my heart hammering in my chest.

"Did you think a name change would be enough, Cady?" Benji's voice, low and sinister, fills my ear. "This childish game ends now. We know where you are. It's time to come home and face what you've done."

The phone slips from my grasp, clattering to the floor.

Cady.

He called me Cady.

My birth name, the one I legally changed after testifying against my father.

One that sounds alien now.

It feels wrong.

Like clothes that don’t fit.

How is this happening?

How did he find out where I am, get my number?

How can he still torment me like this when I was so damn careful?

I've been so careful.

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