Page 175 of Home to the Hollow

“We should get moving, guys. If Benjy’s feeling is right, whatever those bitches have planned could happen any minute.”

I nod at Hamilton, and Boone peers across the room, taking in the scene. He’s always the leader, even since we were kids, and it’s a little comforting to know at leastthathasn’t changed. “He’s right, Tilly. We need to get gone before it all goes to hell. Benjy has a good sense of impending doom. It’s eerie.”

He’s not wrong about that. I’ve always been able to smell trouble.

“Okay. Let’s figure out how to get five people in outrageous costumes out the back before anyone notices.”

I chuckle at her wry retort, but Presley gives her a playful glare. “I think we should part ways. Magpie, you stay with Benjy. Pretend to dance and we’ll all split up. Once we’re clear, he can walk you out to the garden. No one will suspect anything because the rest of us aren’t along for the ride.”

“Agreed,” the vet says. “Once we’re all outside, Teddy can bring the car around. I’ll go with you, and Benjy can round up Doyle. He’s got a truck, so the rest will fit in the back.”

Jolene looks up at me, and I give her a shy smile. This wasnotwhat I imagined when I said I was going to ease myself into the group earlier. Taking her hand, I lead her out onto the floor, sighing in relief when the band starts a waltz. That will bemuchsafer than a modern dance. She sniffles, and I can damned nearfeelthe misery rolling off of her. “Jolene, don’t cry. I’m a big, burly dude and people will think I’m scaring you.”

Hopefully a little humor will help?

A strangled snort makes me grin. “Benjy, your giant Hulk-ness is not making me cry. If anyone thinks that, they can fuck right off. I’ve kicked asses as big as yours in the ring.”

“Well, you’re kicking my ass at dancing. I took ballroom classes for the wedding, but we didn’t end up using it. I think it was because Sherilynn never could find a foot that wasn’t her left one.”

She laughs at that, and I beam. “That is the second best thing I’ve learned all night. Thank you again, Benjy.”

Looking over the crowd, I lean down and whisper near her ear. “I think Prez is the last one out. We should z

start making our way to the?—”

“Ladies and gentleman, if we can have your attention please!”

Jolene freezes in place as we both look up at the stage to see my ex and her friends standing there like they’re holding court atComic Con. Her hands shake in mine, and I squeeze them reassuringly. I won’t leave her and I’ll do my best to protect her.

“We have an amazing surprise for you. Are you ready, Whistler’s Hollow?”

This isnotgoing to be good.

Week Seven

Sometimes, I forget that those of us whodidn’tgrow up in this godforsaken town don’t have the full picture. We don’t have years of gossip, feuds, alliances, and lore that help us understand every situation on instinct. So when Boone stops short at the sight of some bint in a Disney villain costume in a confrontation with our girl, I don’t understand why this is such a big deal. I’m not alone, of course, because Julia, her crew, Saoirse, and Haggerty are clueless as well.

Only Edgar, Wolfie, and Benjy look like the ghost of a serial killer has risen from the grave to wreak havoc.

Magpie is silent as she stares at the woman, her expression full of a fury I’ve not seen yet. When a pale, expensively dressed Chad comes up behind the mysterious chick, our girl goes even paler. Her hands are balled in fists, and if I were to check, I bet her nails are drawing blood from her palms. She’s working hard to keep it all together in front of the crowd, but I don’t know how much longer she’s going to hold back.

“Oh, Jolene. What a turn on the old song… it was me who tookyourman. I’ve been waiting to say that foryears! I even spoiled my costume theme so I could have flowing red locks to make it even more ironic.” The unpleasant redhead tosses her hair over her shoulder and cackles evilly.

Her companions move closer, making angry snarls and screeches as they wait for their person to give them the okay. Jolene doesn’t move or speak, she just continues staring at the bitchy woman from her past, and I can’t figure out why she hasn’t decimated her with a brutal quip.

“No witty retort? Nothing to say from the great savior of losers everywhere?” The dude with her cringes and our girl looks at him with curious eyes.

He doesn’t say a word, not to Jolene or to his nasty wife. Whoever he is, he’s as useless as tits on a bull and he seems resigned to that.

What a fucking knob.

“Sugarplum, we’re here!” My boy’s cry seems to snap Magpie out of the trance she was in and tears leak from her eyes. I’m worried that she’s going to break down, but the next thing she does is let out a scream of fury.

“Who do you think you are?!”Her voice booms like it’s been amplified through a megaphone, and she lifts her hand, pointing at the redhead.

I frown, suddenly sensing something. When I look over at Haggerty, he nods and calls out to her. “Tíogair, you need to breathe and let it happen. Don’t fight it. I can sense your fear, but what is inside of you will protect you. Let go, and I promise, you will be okay.”

If he’s wrong, we’re all in deep shit. Emerging, even a second side, is a messy process and shouldn’t be happening in public.

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