Page 11 of Hexes and Exes

“Hey, thanks for getting the potion. I’ll be sure to get it from now on.” I head toward the bedroom, ready to shower and forget the day. Roman grabs my arm as I walk past him.

“That’s not what I’m saying. I just want you to be happy. That’s all.”

Roman lets go of my arm and pushes out of his chair. “You doing anything for the rest of the night? I could stick around.” I hate the worry, the sympathy, glimmering in his gaze.

“No. I think I’ll call it an early night. You’d better get back to your girl before she figures out you’re an asshole.”

“Too late for that. But she likes me anyway.” Roman grins more to himself. He hesitates, but I finally tell him to get out so I can shower. He calls out a goodbye just before the door closes behind him, leaving me alone with the shadows creeping in.

My eyes drift to the wide-eyed doll from Ava. I don’t know what possessed me to bring it home earlier. I didn’t want to leave it in my office all night, which is nonsense. Staring at the thing, a fissure of warmth cracks inside my chest and the corner of my mouth lifts in a smile. An idea is taking form. Ava mentioned she had to go into work after she left the resort earlier. If I hurry, I might be able to get to her place before she’s home for the night.

6

AVA

After finishing going over all the preliminary details of the party, I had to go back to work to tackle the long list of tasks Barty left on my desk. It’s nearly nine by the time I lock up. It was only this morning when Barty told me I wasn’t needed at work. And yet, a list of nearly fifty items that he deemed necessary for me to finish up before the next day was waiting on my desk.

I roll my neck and wrap a scarf around my face when the cold air whips down the street. Only my eyes are uncovered, and they’re pointed down at the ground. It’s ironic then, that when I lift my head, I walk smack into someone.

“I’m so sorry.” I steady them with a hand on their arm. “Oh, Mrs. Rickles. How are you?” I smile when I realize who I’ve bumped into. She lived a few houses down from me growing up and used to babysit me and Stellan from time to time when we were kids.”

I pull down my scarf to show her my face. Her head cocks to the side. My heart immediately sinks. I should know betterby now. My brain should be better at remembering that people forget me.

“I’m sorry, do I know you?”

I swallow, shrinking into my scarf as I consider running away. It’s not like she’ll remember in a few days. Damn my sense of social propriety. “Ava Vandenberg. You used to babysit me and my brother, Stellan.”

Her eyes light up the moment I mention my brother. “Stellan, yes, what a lovely young man.” The smile falls off her face. “You said he’s your brother. I don’t recall him having a sister.”

“Yep. That’s me.” I force cheer into my voice. “I’ll tell him you said hi. Gotta run.” I dip around her without waiting for any more awkward conversation. No need to torture myself more than necessary. Tears sting the corners of my eyes. I can’t even wipe them away because my fuzzy mittens will get lint in my eyes and make things worse. I kick at a snow pile, needing to feel control over something.

“Fuck!” I shout when it turns out there’s a fire hydrant buried underneath it. “Isn’t that a fire code violation?” I snap at the wind. A man walking across the street gives me a look like I’m losing my mind. I point to the buried hydrant. “I’m not crazy, just a concerned citizen,” I mumble and then practically run to my car.

By the time I walk into my apartment, all I want is to rip off my bra, take a hot shower, put up my feet, and watch a period romance until I fall asleep on the couch.

Stellan is already sleeping on the couch, his hand inside a bag of jelly beans and his mouth hanging wide open. The TV is playing something gruesome, with aliens that are covered in slime. It’s not enough to curb my hunger because I haven’t eaten all day. Food first or pajamas? How can I pick?

I compromise by dumping my coat and bag in the closet and immediately taking off my bra. Once I hurriedly toss it into my room, I head back into the kitchen to find a quick snack to eat before I jump in the shower.

A shriek leaves my throat when I open the refrigerator and see a head sitting on top of an old pizza box.

“What the fuck?” I hiss. Stellan gives a half snore, but doesn’t wake up. I bend down to look more closely at the doll that was in Bram’s office just this morning. Now it’s here, chilling in my fridge.

“How in the hell…”

When did he come over here? And why did he put it in the refrigerator? I grab the doll. Its wide eyes stare up at me like a creepy little fiend. Rounding the couch, I nudge Stellan’s shin with my foot.

“It wasn’t me,” Stellan shouts as he jerks upright.

“What wasn’t you?” I cross my arms, the cold doll dangling from my fingertips as I stare at my brother.

“What? When did you get home?”

“About two minutes ago. Did you let someone into our apartment earlier?”

My brother’s eyes dip down to the doll and then everywhere else in the room except for me. He shakes his head, his lower lip sticking out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I narrow my eyes. Would he lie to me for the sake of a prank? Yes. But would he let Bram into the apartment? Meh, that's questionable.

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