Page 60 of Cruelly Fated
I let out a hollow laugh. “Don’t tell me they have Rummikub too?”
His grin stretched wide, exposing every tooth like a mischievous wolf flashing its fangs. Rummikub had always been Grandpa’s favorite; we played every Sunday at the house. The house…
I blew out a breath, my mood souring. I had to tell him, although I hated ruining his good mood.
“We lost the house,” I said in one breath. Like ripping off a bandage.
He stilled, the smile draining from his face. Bowing his head, he gripped it with both hands, obscuring his expression from my scrutiny. I waited, letting him absorb the blow. His shoulders trembled, and I ached to reach through the glass and hold him. There was so much life packed into that house, so much history… I prayed he wouldn’t ask about his belongings, most of which I had to leave behind.
“When?” he finally asked, his head still hanging low.
“Monday.”
He whipped his head up. “That means…” He shook it as if he couldn’t accept the truth of the situation. “You’re homeless. Oh, fae gods, I did this to you.”
“No… I mean yes… But I’m not homeless, nor hopeless. I’ve got a temporary place to stay and an offer of a well-paying job.”
“Officer Marley.” He said the name with conviction, straightening in his seat. “He came through for us.” His bloodshot eyes locked with mine, the redness a sign of an incoming migraine.
“He offered me a place and agreed to store your belongings,” I said, exhaling slowly. There, I didn’t lie.
Grandpa nodded solemnly. “I will make up to you for this, my child. When I come out… I’m a changed man. An experience like this one gives a new perspective on life.”
I smiled, wanting so badly to believe his every word.
“I kept Mom’s keepsake box,” I added quietly, eyes dropping to my hands. Just saying it tugged at something buried deep. The ache never fully faded. Not a day passed that I didn’t miss her. But watching the house being restored had stirred something else in me.
“Go on,” he said thoughtfully.
I curled my fingers, unsure if fear or resolve tightened my chest.
“I think I’m ready to learn how she died.”
Twenty-Five
ALLIE
“Iworry about you,” Lance said, eyeing me from under his gelled messy bangs. Was that a hairstyle?
I strode over, planting my hands on my hips. “There’s nothing to worry about.” I pinched my lips, then swept his hair to the side, pushing it above his upper eyelid. “I’m a big girl. That’s better.”
Lance recoiled in mock horror and immediately ran both hands through his hair, mussing it back into chaos. “Now I’m really worried. Since when do you care to fix my hair?”
With an exasperated sigh, I threw my arms up and spun on my heel, scanning for a crate to carry. I needed to keep busy—anything to stop my brain from looping back to last night. Or this morning… Kyon’s scowl flashed in my mind, warming my skin.
The sound of clinking glass filtered through the storage room as Lance stacked empty bottles behind me.
“Where you going? That one’s half-empty,” he said, voice laced with disapproval.
I blinked down at the crate in my arms. Right. I set it back down, trying to mask the stumble.Get yourself together. One man does not get to turn you into a distracted idiot who forgets how to count.
“I knew that. I was simply moving it over here,” I said, wiping my palms down my shorts.
Lance reeled back with his mouth hanging open. Before he could get a single word out, I sidestepped him and slipped into the club.
Bass thumped softly from the speakers, the low rumble vibrating through the soles of my shoes. Bar patrons stole glances over their shoulders at the stage—illuminated by pink dancing lights—as the next act sauntered onto the stage shortly. I grabbed a rag and busied myself with the smudged counter, eyesfixed on nothing, trying to quiet the sensations rolling through my body.
I inspected the mirror-backed shelves, which appeared pink in the current light, and sagged my shoulders when I realized nothing needed refilling; then I remembered I’d just restocked the bar fifteen minutes ago. Still needing something to do, I picked a tray and set out to hunt for empty bottles and glasses. For good measure, I tossed a few peanut bowls on top, even though Larry liked to reserve those strictly for bar seating.
