Page 65 of All of You

Like a hurricane intent on destruction, Dot barrels toward my side of the car. Legs shaky, I unbuckle my seat belt and get out, not happy to be facing her—but I knew this was coming.

Rattled and incensed, I slam the door and lean my face close to hers. “What the hell are you doing? Do you want to get yourself killed?”

Something is different about her. She doesn’t so much as acknowledge my outrage or her stupid move. It’s as if she vibrates on a higher frequency; her body almost buzzes and yet, there’s an unusual restraint. As if she’s caged or holding back. Everything about her is strained and ominous.

Her finger stabs at me, and the moonlight captures her features, eyes thin blade-like slits and mouth pinched tight. “You think you got one over on me.”

I step back, suddenly needing a little distance from her. We’re too close, and if she is a caged animal, I don’t want to be anywhere near her when it’s released.

“What are you talking about?” Furtively, I glance down the street, not wanting her to catch on. I’ve got a good idea what she’s referring to and want to keep her talking.

The street is empty and quiet. Oliver and Zoe are out of sight but not too far away. Although, I’m not so sure they’d hear me if I were to scream.

I’m not scared of Dot. Well, that isn’t entirely true. The woman can be rash and impulsive on a good day, never mind when she doesn’t get her way or someone’s pissed her off. Right now, that would be me. I wish Oliver was here.

Then it hits me. She would’ve seen us leave the library. She must have been hiding, waiting to get me alone. Or did she plan to ambush both of us and figured luck was on her side when she got only me?

“You think you’re so smart. So fucking blessed because everyone loves you, and you’ve finally got Oliver. But Wren, you’ve got it all wrong.” A maniacal laugh rushes from her mouth, her head tipped back in frenzied glee.

“Dot, it isn’t like that.”

Her head snaps up, gaze pointed and intense. “He’s lying to you. You think Oliver’s this great guy. Uh-uh.” Her head shakes back and forth. “He’s no better than me.” She takes slow steps away from me, finger poking the air between us. “You just wait and see, missy. You’ll find out soon enough. You’ll get what you deserve.”

Then she’s gone, sprinting in the opposite direction of where Zoe’s car is parked. Shaken and confused, I welcome the cold air tumbling over me, allowing it to slow down my heartbeat and sharpen my thoughts.

I breathe out white, steamy puffs of air, unsure what to make of what just happened. I’m not sure how long I stand there, wrestling with a growing unease that’s taken hold of me. Sure, Dot’s at the core of it but there’s something more.

“Wren.” Oliver’s voice snaps me out of the daze and he jogs toward me. “What are you still doing here?”

“Uh. Are you done with Zoe’s tire?”

He nods and turns to look at the street where a familiar car drives by. “That’s Dot.”

“Uh-huh,” is all I manage to say, still unsure what exactly happened.

His hand settles at the small of my back. “What’s wrong? Did she say something to you?”

I bite my bottom lip and nod, her words a loud rumble in my head.

“What did she say?” His fingers press into my tense back muscles.

I turn to face him, needing to watch his expression as I tell him. “She said you were lying.”

“About what?”

“She wasn’t specific…everything.” I’m not even sure if I understand what she was talking about. Or why I’m studying Oliver like he’ll somehow make sense of this. We’re talking about Dot, after all.

He scoffs and gently nudges me toward my car. “She never stops, does she?”

I can sense the heat of his gaze on me, and when I look at him, there’s something unsettled, like worry or confusion, taking shape in his features.

My fingers wrap around the door handle, and before I can tug it open, his hand on my elbow stops me. “Wren, you don’t believe her, do you? I’m not lying to you.”

It’s my turn to scoff and vehemently shake my head. “No. Of course not. It’s just…”

Once more my teeth sink into my bottom lip, trying to put my finger on the most disturbing part of my brief encounter with Dot.

He gently prods my elbow, urging me on. “Just what?”

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