Page 11 of Bring Me Back
“Well, I finalized the books for this past month for the shop. There seem to be some income discrepancies.” I say, turning my computer to show her the logs. Her brows furrow as she looks over them line by line.
“I don’t know what any of this means, Beck. Money is missing?” She says, staring back at me with a confused expression.
“Yeah, that’s the jist of it. Like this transaction here, it’s noted as $500 cash. And then three more $500 transactions from that day. It should have been $2000 total at the and of the day. But the cash drop was $1500.” Ipoint out the figures to her, and the crease between her brows deepens.
“How did that happen? I log every transaction exactly as it’s written up to me. I take the cash immediately and put it in the register. It’s all added together at the end of the night and dropped in the lockbox.” She scrolls through the financial history for the last few months, looking genuinely confused about what’s happened.
“It seems like it’s been short a few times a week for the past month or so. There’s over two thousand dollars missing at this point, Will.” I say, and she gasps.
“What the fuck?! That’s a ton of money, Beckett! Where did it go?!” she says, panic in her eyes. To most people, two thousand dollars is a lot of money.
“What about the cameras? For sure, they would’ve picked up that footage, right? If somebody was taking money from the cash drops, it would be on camera, right?” Willow asks, her mouth hung open in a perfect o.
“I have no idea. That’s why I’m here. I just wanted to know if you-” I start, and she sits straighter in her chair.
I try to keep my expressions neutral, knowing neither of us will like where this conversation is gonna go next. She knows what I have to ask. Hell, I don’t even want to ask, because I know without a doubt she didn’t do this.
“Me? You wanted to know if I what, Beckett? If I took the money?” I see the moment she guards herselfagainst me. Willow doesn’t trust anyone easily, and no one completely.
“No! I don’t think you did this, Willow. Let me make that clear right now. I absolutely do not think you took this money. But somebody did. And as someone who has consistent access to the cash flow in this business, I want to know if you’ve noticed anything unusual.” I’m trying my best to diffuse her hostility, but I feel like I’m always walking on a tightrope with her.
“No. I haven’t noticed anything unusual. I would’ve said something to the guys, or to you, if I had.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
“Will, don’t be mad. I know you didn’t take this money. I know you work hard to live the life you do…” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I want to reel them back in. But I can already tell she took them in the worst way possible.
“The life I do? You mean in my piece of shit house that you constantly tell me to leave? You mean scraping my paychecks together to make repairs every week and still save for Jaxon’s college? Yeah, I work my ass off to livethe way I do.In my shitty little house with my shitty little things. I’m sorry I occasionally need help. I thought you were someone I could trust to help me, but I guess I was wrong about that.” She’s completely spiraling. Her drastic response seems out of character for her, but I know I would probably feel the same if I thought my character was being questioned.
“Will, I’m really not trying to upset you. I swear I know you didn’t do this. But somebody did. Someone has stolen two thousand dollars from Elijah and Everett.From our friends,” I say, and her eyes soften. I know she loves them and would never want to see them taken advantage of.
“I wish I could help you. I really, really do. But I have no idea where that money is, Beckett. Have you asked Megan? I mean, I’m not accusing anyone of anything. I don’t know her very well, and I usually only see her in passing. But I can ask, I guess. I can see if she’s noticed anything or maybe isn’t ringing things in correctly.” She leans forward, bracing herself on the table. She looks so tired. I hate contributing to that exhaustion in any way.
“I’m sorry, Willow. I know this isn’t something you would ever do. If nothing else, please know that I never questioned that for a second. I know who you are,” I say, reaching for her hand across the table. She pulls away, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.
“I have to get to work. If I see anything, I’ll let you or one of the guys know.” Without another word, she grabs her coffee and walks out the door.
I understand her defensiveness. She keeps so much of herself hidden away from us all. I know it’s self-defense. I just wish she would trust us when we say that we love her, and we will protect her no matter what.
eight
I knowwho you are
Hearing him say those words felt like a knife to the heart. Truly, he has no idea who I am. He doesn’t even know my real name. I could be an axe murderer. I’m not, but I could be. I wish I could tell him everything. Every time he looks at me, I inch closer to ripping myself open and laying all my truths at his feet.
I walk through the front door at Grovewood Ink, and the relief I usually feel isn’t there today. I love my job here and this incredible family. I’ve never felt like I truly belonged anywhere until I found my way here. The idea that someone we know could be taking advantage of these people, my people, is horrible.
“Hi, Willow. I didn’t expect you in so early.” Megan, the morning shop assistant, waves as I drop my pursebehind the counter. She seems genuine, but is my judgment off? Is she stealing the money?
“Everything okay?” She asks, and I realize I’ve just been standing here staring at her.
“Yeah, sorry! Just had a shitty night’s sleep, I guess. So I figured I’d come in early and get a jump on a few projects I’ve been trying to get done around here.” I say, wondering if my purse is safe behind the counter.
Of course it’s safe. I’m safe. Grovewood is a safe place. There’s some explanation for the missing money, and I’m going to find it. I hear quiet talking as I walk back towards to break room. When I walk through the doorway, I see Ember tucked into Elijah’s side and Kelsea sitting in Everett’s lap. They’re talking quietly between themselves, but the room falls silent when I come in.
“Mama Willow! You’re so early,” Kelsea says, jumping up and hugging me. This hug feels normal, like every hug before.
“Yeah, so I’ve heard. How’s it going, guys? Usually it’s not a full family meeting so early in the morning,” I wonder, but I don’t push. We all know what’s going on, but no one really knows what to say here.
“Not the full family yet. Breaker and Rory should be here soon though,” Everett says.
