Page 78 of Under Locke & Key
“What is it?” My mom asks, popping her head into the entryway.
“It’s the sign for the front.” Tugging away layers of protective foam and bubble wrap, I unearth the secret I’ve been keeping from everyone.
“Oh,Bryce. . .” My mom breathes, emotion plain in her voice.
“She saw Steph come by the theater. She saw Steph try to kiss me. I had to rush after her just to convince her to come to the opening after all that.”
“What the hell is Steph doing down here?” My father asks, and I cover up the sign.
Standing, I head into the kitchen and they follow. I pour myself a glass of cold water and gulp it down, the summer heat and my desperate dash after Rachel leaving me thirsty.
“Apparently she’s had a change of heart. After talking to the man who used to be our banker and finding out I’ve tried to make something of myself, she apparently took it as a sign that I was putting her parting words to use and it proved I wanted her in my life.”
She’s not wrong. Technically.That is sort of what this started as.My mind is quick to remind me, but it’s so much more than that now.
“I told her to get out and if I found her back there I’d call the cops.”
My father barks out a laugh so hearty he has to remove his glasses to wipe away a tear.
“You? My mild-mannered, sweet boy, threatened her with the cops?” my mom asks, raising her eyebrow in doubt.
“I had somewhere else to be and I am done dealing with her. It’s too late and I wasn’t willing to hear a single word she had to say.” I shrug as if it’s no big deal but we all know that Bryce from a year—two years ago would have beengratefulthat she decided to come back.
I hope I’m never that Bryce again. I’ve grown and from what I saw as my biggest heartbreak at the time has come my triumph. Living well is the best revenge, but more than that, it’s been the closure I’ve needed. The months between her walking out and the day I left for Dulaney were dark and bleak. My anger and resentment, self-hatred and grief ate at me.
Now. Now, I have so much to look forward to and more that makes me happy. She doesn’t even come to mind anymore.
“Do you think Rachel will like it?” I ask, my insecurity leaking through despite me trying to convince myself I’m fine with whatever she decides.
“She will. She’d be a fool not to and one thing I can say about Rachel is that she’s no fool.” My father’s praise warms my heart. They never liked Steph, and she never cared for them.
“Would you guys mind helping me take this over to the theater? I can call Logan too if you think we need him.”
“Of course we’ll help you. We’ll have to cover it with something until the big reveal and I have just the thing in my sewing room. You two haul it out onto the back of your father’s truck in the meantime. If it’s too heavy, then call Logan. The last thing we need is one of you throwing your back out just before the opening.”
“Yes, Mom,” and “Yes, Dear,” sounds from me and my father and we chuckle at the mirrored tone of our responses.
My dad tapes the box shut again and we lug it out, heaving it up onto the bed of the truck. My mom comes out with a huge bundle of fabric in her arms, bright red and opaque, and some gold rope. Dad grabs his giant tool box as well, even though he rarely ever uses it, it’s well stocked and will definitely come in handy.
“I’m going to call Logan, just in case. My hand’s better but I’d rather not tempt fate or get Dad injured as well.”
The drive to the theater is quiet save for my conversation with Logan and he’s on his way to meet us almost immediately. I’ve never been more grateful that he works from home for his marketing stuff. Once I have enough capital I’ll be hiring him to handle my marketing as well.
We pull up front, the truck idling next to the sidewalk and the cold air from the AC blasting out through the open doors as we stare up at what remains of the old matinee. It’ll be a bear to tear down, and the new sign won’t be much easier to mount either, but hopefully it’ll be worth it.
“Alright, family. Let’s do this!” Logan says and we jump into action.
Two days until it all comes to fruition. Two days until I show Rachel just how much she’s a part of this, just as I am. And she sees exactly how I feel about her in case my words fail me.
Staring up at the matinee, resolute, I can only hope. It will have to be enough.
Stephanie.Three syllables that thunder through my chest as I rush home and in every moment since Bryce left me here with far too much on my mind. I replay that two second image in my mind over and over. Steph’s lips meeting his chin, the anger on his face as he pulls back, the way all the color left him when he saw me standing there.
I believe him. I know nothing happened. Logically I’m able to acknowledge that. But on a much deeper, gut level, all I can see is Riley blowing up multiple relationships and breaking my heart in one go.
But Bryce isn’t Riley, my mind pipes up.
Bryce has the potential to be even more devastating.
