Page 539 of Not Over You

The bright light of the morning is jarring as we step out of the old building and into the sunshine.

The three guys hang back near their vehicle smoking but stand as their attention lands on us. I glance down my front at the splatters of blood across my shirt and coating my fist. They catch themselves quickly and go back to their business, talking among themselves as Tray approaches us.

“He breathing, or—” Tray looks over our shoulders at the building we just left.

“He’s breathing. I want him relocated. No closer than a twenty-hour drive.”

“We’ll take care of him. You need anything else?” Tray asks.

I rub at my bloodied hands while flexing my fingers. I hit him harder than I thought and I may have fractured some bones.

“Yes.” The thought comes to me. “Bring Candi to us at the club—tonight—after closing. Thanks, man.”

Tray nods, then whistles to his guys who drop their cigarettes and follow him into the building without a word, and I join Alex, walking to our car.

“What are you going to do to Candi?” I hear the hesitation in his question.

We don’t kill women—or at least we haven’t—yet.

“I’m going to tell her what we need from her to settle the debt between us, then we’re going to help her leave town in exchange for her silence. I’ll explain it on the drive home. I need another fucking shower.” I dig my keys out of my pocket and toss them to Alex as I approach the passenger door.

My hands ache and I’m not in the right frame of mind to drive.

I pause before getting in the car to look at my friend.

“You good with driving?” I ask.

“Oddly—yes—I am.” I know how he feels.

I have no remorse for beating Dale within an inch of his life. I probably should, but I don’t, and knowing Willow is safe is the only thing that matters.

Alex starts up the car and speeds out of the lot, kicking up dirt as we leave everything behind.

“Is there anything else we need to do?” Alex keeps his eyes on the road.

“Just stay on the lawyers to get that DNA sample. I’ll have Candi start a rumor that Dale skipped town before she leaves. Everything should get thrown out of court eventually.”

“And what about Willow?” Alex asks.

What about my weeping Willow?

Now that is the right question to ask and I can’t wait to put all of this behind us and start answering it every day for the rest of our lives.

WILLOW

It's been three months since anyone has heard from Dale. Our court date came and went and he never showed up.

Dale's lawyer informed ours that he's lost contact with his client. He said Dale left town, and he hasn't been able to get in touch with him, and until they hear from him, they are suspending all legal action.

Annie spent another four days in the hospital while her doctors ran tests to make sure her new treatment was working as it should. I cried for hours when we finally got the all-clear to bring her home and she’s been making progress with each check up since.

I’ve hired extra help at the coffee shop and am putting in extra hours to train a new management team so I can take time for Annie when I need to. Because of this, my mother has moved into my little apartment to help me take care of her.

It’s cramped, but it is worth it to have everyone together.

While I haven’t had a direct conversation with my mom about my relationship with both Alex and Shane, she’s accepted them on her own terms and has even invited both of them to stay for dinner on many occasions.

The last three months play over in my mind as the three of us pull into a long driveway, and a huge house comes into view.

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