Page 55 of Home to the Hollow

Seer heads for the kitchen, dropping her bags on the granite counter. “It’s grand, innit, Peanut?”

I arch a brow at her. “Yes, but it’s built to house an army. Who are you planning on kidnapping to fill these rooms?”

She shrugs and winks. “I may invite some old friends to stay once it’s ready. Or... who knows? Maybe I’ll build meself a polycule like yours.”

“A… a what?” I choke.

“Please, Peanut. You’ve got the three eejits wrapped around your pinky, and I’ll bet they aren’t the only lads you’ve had run-ins with. If you keep at it, you’ll have an entire group of lovers feeding you grapes within the month.”

My eyes widen and I shake my head. “No way. Not a fucking chance. Three dudes and three pets aremorethan enough. I’m already feeling claustrophobic because I’m almost never alone. That stupid prankster is making them all edgy.”

As she puts away the groceries, Seer gives me a wry look. “Prankster? I doubt the animals would react this way if they felt you were safe. Men overreact all the time, but animals have good instincts.”

“I don’t understand why anyone would lurk around my house. I don’t have a lot of valuables; hell, I’m not even in the top twenty wealthiest people in the Hollow. They don't want to steal something. I’ve only just returned, so I haven’t made anynewenemies.”

Giggling, she waves a bottle of vodka at me. “Maybe it’s youroldenemies. They can’t be happy that you’re gobbling up all the eligible bachelors. Are all of your ex-bullies spoken for?”

I frown, pulling my laptop out of my messenger bag. “You know, I haven’t delved that deep into the townsfolk yet. Lemme do a cursory check.” With that, I plop on the stool by the counter and connect to the hotspot on my phone. “You gotta get your Wi-Fi squared away.”

Seer rolls her eyes and continues putting away the rest of the food and drinks we filled our cart with. “Yeah, yeah. Give me time. I’ve got a mess of plates in the bloody air, you know.”

“Mmm,” I reply, clicking at the keys as I surf through the dark web sites until I find one that should give me enough background to be useful. I pull up another screen with a list of ex-schoolmates, humming under my breath as I start queries.

“Speaking of animals, how did you get away from your menagerie?”

Blinking, I look up. “Uh, Teddy took them to the park with Kali and Hecate. I’m thinking that idiot doesn’t work at all. The Judge thing is just a feint.” A beeping noise catches my attention and I watch the crawl of information trickle into each small window. “Sherilynn is getting divorced. No one knows why, but it’s recent, and it’s going to be ugly. At least, that’s what Hugo told me.”

“Hugo? And who isthisvaliant young suitor?” she cackles.

“Another teacher, you silly woman. He’s not a suitor. In fact, I’m not even sure he likes me. He’s incredibly hard to read and super mysterious.” Another ping shows me the next name’s info and I grin. “Jillian married Billy and hasfiveboys. She has to be livid with her uterus.”

“Why? Seems like she’s had a good run and can shut it down for a bit. This Billy should climb off her for a decade or two,” Seer says, bobbing her brows. “Five boys is enough for you Yanks to field a basketball team, you know.”

I snort, covering my mouth. I doubt Billy’s kids will play basketball; he never grew beyond 5’6” when I knew him. “I guess that’s true.” I watch the next query finish and curse. Damnit. “Ophelia married Jax and has four kids. They’re all old enough to be pains in my ass—some are starting WHFS. That’s gonnasuck.”

“Only you would worry about the kids of your childhood bullies. Even if the little shites are clones of their parents, you’re in charge, Peanut. Teach them a lesson if need be.”

“If only, Seer. The parents have control of that school, I guarantee. I like Bobbi Jo, but I don’t get the impression that she’s in charge of anything. The staff run roughshod over her, and I’d bet the rest of the town does, too. It’s a shame—she seems like she could be a good boss.” My friend hands me a rocks glass with a neat bourbon and I laugh. “Well, a shot of bourbon fixes damned near everything.”

“Shot of bourbon for you, Jameson for me,” she agrees. “Is that all of them?”

My hand flies to my face as the last two results flash on my screen. “No. Reese has two girls starting high school, and Amy Behle—the queen belle herself—has three kids in various stages of schooling. The Universe hates me, Seer; I told you! That woman makes the arctic tundra look warm, and just because she wasn’t there last night doesn’t mean she won’t come after me to amuse herself. Amy Matilda Behle is nightmare material.”

Cocking her red brow at me, she shakes her head. “I don’t believe someone that small can hurt a woman like you, Peanut. But if you’re worried about these bitches, I suggest you circle the wagons with your boys before they take aim there. Women don’t fight with fists—more’s the pity. They fight by taking away the things you love.”

A sharp ache builds in my chest as that statement hits me. Oh, hell no.Hell no. Those bitches aren’t taking my men. “I mean, they’re married, except for Sherilynn. Outside of cheating, which I think would go poorly within town, what can they do?”

Seer’s expression is grim. “They could send single friends or family members, Peanut. Never discount the ugly things sisters—familial or organizational—will do for one another.”

The look in her eyes makes me want to question how she knows this, but I’m too busy having a mini panic attack of my own. “I’ve… I’ve got to go home. Now.”

Her harsh snort follows me as I race out the door, headed for my house before I lose my shit in the kitchen.

“Good luck!”

I’ll need it. There are serious conversations to be had, and I don’t have a fucking clue what to say.

I Choose You

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