Page 99 of Home to the Hollow

Pamela just spilled the beans on why Tilly was having an episode, and we need to figure out how to get her to tell us the story. I need to find the guys and put together a plan to help her find peace before it drives a wedge into our little family.

Sit Still, Look Pretty

After we left campus, the boys tried like hell to pry into the past. I could hold them off by reading from the thick stack of files Teddy found, but that won’t last forever. Eventually, I’m going to explain what happened with Trevor and why it broke me so thoroughly. It’s not anything that doesn’t happen all the time, but I’ll have to delve into my psyche more than I'm comfortable with yet.

They won’t see me the same way, and I’m not ready to see heat replaced with pity.

When we finally got back to the Hollow, Doyle headed off to return the SUV to city hall. Prez and Wolfie head back to their offices to check in with patients, and they left me with the animals and Teddy in front of the school. He’s been quiet compared to the others, and I’m not sure what’s going on in his head. The chick in the office skeeved him out—that much he told us—but he hasn’t tried to push me like the others. It makes me wonder what happened in that admissions office, and why he seems so subdued.

“Saoirse texted me. She said the weird contractors were back while we were gone. After they left, she and Julia’s little group went on a trip to… Salem? I have no idea why they would need to travel there, but something required her attention. Who knew they had fashion emergencies in witch trial land?” I shake my head and shrug. “But she said they’ll be back before Halloween. Something about costumes and what she has planned.”

“Tilly, that’s downright terrifying. Who gave her permission to design Halloween costumes for the spooky season event?” Teddy turns to look at me, his expression aghast.

“I don’t think anyone gave her permission, dear. Seer has never been a ‘permission’ sort of gal. She just does things. It should be interesting at least. There’s a shit ton of us, and she only has about two weeks to finish them,” I muse, tapping my fingernail on my teeth.

Edgar blanches again and grumbles under his breath. “We’ll see about that. I’m going to have a conversation with that sparkling pixie before I end up as Barney or some such travesty.”

I cover my mouth with my hand, trying not to giggle at the image. It’s hysterical and within Seer’s wheelhouse to do. She and Teddy have a fond, yet contentious, relationship, and her sense of humor dictates messing with him at every turn. Heshouldbe a little worried. “Should we load the kiddos up and pick up some dinner fromDerby Piesbefore it gets busy? It is Saturday and they’ll be slammed once it gets dark.”

His lips curve. “If you have pizza tonight, does that mean we’re going to run in the morning? I don’t mind chasing you, but I can’t see the other leprechaun sprinting after us for five miles. Maybe pup and the doc, but not him.”

My eyes narrow as I usher the dogs, cats, and snake into the car. “Don’t be rude.”

“Never, Tilly. You misunderstand—I love the chase, even if it is at the crack of dawn.”

Making a sour face, I slide into my Impala, adjusting my sunglasses as I wait for him to join me. I don’t know if he meant it or not, but after revisiting my trauma today, I’m not in the mood for anyone to question my workout routine. I’m doing a pretty good job of controlling how out of sorts the whole adventure has made me, but I can’t guarantee something small won’t tip the scales. I’d prefer not to lose my shit in public again so soon after the debacle at the Hollar.

“Good. I don’t like to lose daylight when I’ve got so much to do. You know it’s midterm projects time at school—or you would if you taught something outside of the gym—and the private students are prepping for the Holiday Exhibition. I’ll have to spend a lot of time in both studios, and I’m afraid it’ll make me resort to terrible food too often.”

Once he’s belted in, I peel out, heading toDerby Piesin uncomfortable silence. I don’t know if he’s trying to read my mood better or if he’s ruminating on the same thing as before, but my arrogant asshole keeps his yap shut for the ten minutes it takes to arrive and find somewhere to park. He doesn’t even comment on the Starsky and Hutch slide I do into the parking space, and normally, he’d grunt and grumble about unnecessarily showing off being dangerous.

Of course, it’s dangerous; that’s why it’s fun. He’s such a fuddy duddy sometimes.

“Stay,” I say to the small pack in the back seat. “We’ll be right back.” They give me dirty looks, but with Isis wrapped around me, the animals have been more forgiving of me taking off without them. I guess they figure a big ass snake is a pretty good warning to anyone who wants to mess with me.

“Me too?” Teddy smirks.

“As if you’d listen,” I mutter, shooting him a look that says I know he wouldn’t.

“You seem grumpy, drugar. What can I do to help? Want me to read you dirty books in the bath again?” His grin is rakish, and I almost unfreeze a little when I see it.

“Just come running with me in the morning. I can’t eat like this so often if I don’t keep up with my regimen. I won’t be as charming when I blow up like a balloon,” I grumble. “You remember, Edgar. Don’t tell me you don’t.”

He frowns, grabbing my hand and stopping me before I enter the pizza joint. “Stop right there, Tilly. That’s loser talk and I won’t have it.”

“Edgar, I amnotone of your team members. I’ll talk like a loser if I damn well please. I spent all of my school years as one, and I’m okay with not being some rabid attention seeking bint with bleached hair and fake boobs.”

I think I broke him because he looks truly stunned. His mouth opens, then shuts, then opens again as he struggles to find words. That’s fine; I don’t need his pity or his comfort. I lived through the torture his friends put me through, and through Trevor’s betrayal—I don’t need anyone to make me feel better about my life. Glaring, I yank my hand away, striding inside with a snarl of irritation. Why can’t people just leave well enough alone?

“One extra large California Chrome Veggie Lovers, an extra large Animal Kingdom Meat Lovers, one Exterminator Mouth Burner, a Venetian Way Fettucine Italian, and three orders of garlic cheese bread,” I rattle off, making sure I get everyone’s favorites. Shit. “Oh, and a dozen meatballs, please.”

“Feeling hungry, Jolene? I’d say I’m surprised, but given how long I’ve known you, I’m not,” the snide voice behind the counter replies.

Blinking as anger floods my system, I look up to see Sherilynn Foster Grant giving me murder eyes. Well, that sentiment is shared, and my fists ball at my side as I look into her spiteful face. Isis shifts, but it doesn’t help like usual. I’m poised on the knife’s edge today, and some asshole pushing my past in my face isn’t helping. “Sherilynn, how unpleasant to see you. I’m ordering for the crowd at my place, and I don’t have time to dick around with you. Are you putting in my pizza order, or is that too much math for you?”

Her head tilts as she gives me a vicious smile. “I don’t know. It seems like you’ve found a guy for each hole, so I’m sure you need all the sustenance you can get. It’d be a shame if…”

The nasal whine of her voice cuts off and I arch a brow, assuming Teddy is giving her his enraged big D look. When I turn, it’s both Teddy and Benjy, and they look fit to be tied. Before Teddy can open his mouth, Benjy waves his hand.

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