Page 78 of Release Me

I shrug. “Just curious.”

Her glare narrows. “Henry warned you to keep your dick in your pants with that one.”

I chuckle. “Hands and dick inside the bus at all times. Already got the memo.”

“I’m serious. That one is bitter and unhinged. Enough that I wouldn’t put it past her to make up stories to create ammo, if you catch my drift. Henry doesn’t need another scandal like that last one.” That lecturing pointer finger goes up in the air. “If I find out you’re sniffing around her, the first call I will make is to Henry, and he will fire your ass in his next breath. I will make sure of it?—”

“Okay!” I’ve never seen Belinda so passionate. I don’t doubt her. “I’ve got it. Look, I may not have been a Boy Scout in Alaska?—”

“You ran a fuck club,” she deadpans.

“Not one of my prouder moments.” I’m still not sure how that all transpired, but I blame Connor. “Things have changed.I’ve changed. And batshit crazy doesn’t appeal to me.”

She purses her lips. “Come on, we have a lot of ground to cover today.”

Movement on the porch catches my eye, but all I can see are tan female legs. Attached to a disgruntled woman who has nothing better to do than plaster her property with lame signs, apparently.

Leaving my spy post, I climb into the cart and drive us back toward the path.

A horrendous rooster caw cuts through the peaceful silence then, sending a flock of warblers perched on a nearby pine tree flapping into the air.

“See?” Belinda’s expression is triumphant.

“Okay, you may have a point,” I admit with a cringe.

36.Sloane

“Good job, Ralph.” I toss a chunk of carrot over the rail as I tuck my phone back in my pocket.

The fourteen-pound Jersey Giant rooster struts over to collect his treat—a reward for singing to our Wolf Hotel scouts. Who says you can’t train birds …

I was hauling trash to the can when I spotted the golf cart coasting over the grass toward my property line and the male figure climb out. I couldn’t make him out from here, but I assumed he was coming to hop the fence and rip down my signs. My first move was going to be to dash over and record the fool. The second was to call the police to report trespassing and vandalism.

They haven’t sent any sleazy lawyers with fat bribery checks lately. Have they given up on that angle?

A horn honks and a moment later, the familiar white Volkswagen Beetle eases up my lengthy driveway. All thoughts of Wolf vanish from my mind.

I squeal as I scurry down the stairs and rush to the yellow single-wide trailer in anticipation. Even though we text regularly, I haven’t seen Rebel and Skye since they left for school in August. I’ve missed them terribly.

“We’re here!” Rebel launches herself at me the second she gets out of the driver’s seat, roping her toned arms around my neck in a tight grip.

I inhale the familiar citrusy scent of her black hair, now cut short in a pixie style. “What are you doing here so early?” I wasn’t expecting them until dinnertime.

“We were all packed, so we said ‘Fuck it’ and left last night to avoid the traffic.”

Skye climbs out of the passenger seat and stretches her arms over her head, showing off her toned stomach. “If I never eat at another Burger King, it’ll be too soon.”

“I see that.” I nod toward the empty food wrappers that spilled out with her, the last remaining fries scattering over the dirt, drawing the hens and Ralph in.

She rounds the car for an equally affectionate hug.

“How were your exams?” I ask, clinging a beat too long.

“Ugh,awful.” She groans dramatically. “But they’re done, and I passed and that’s all that matters.”

“Your hair has gotten long.” I emphasize my point with a tug of her corn-silk blond braid.

“And it’s about to blow up like a puffball in this humidity.”

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