Page 167 of Little Sunshine

The camera panned in on just the reporter as she fought to stay solemn and professional. “Police are still searching for this man who may have…”

The rest of her words faded to nothing as I stared at the screen. When the picture disappeared, I snatched up the remote, nearly dropping it from my shaking grip. I rewound and paused to stare at the man’s photo.

Despite the time that’d passed, my cheeks stung like they were covered in fresh brick burn.

Despite the safety I usually felt thanks to Ash, fear lodged in my throat.

And despite all the showers I’d taken, I could feel his rough hands touching me.

Hurting me.

According to the label under the mug shot, his name was Edward Zale.

According to me, he was the leader. The asshole who attacked me. And I bet that made the dead guy…

When Ash said he’d handled the guys, I hadn’t asked follow-ups. I’d just been focused on how good it felt to have someone care enough to make that kind of effort.

‘I’ll be forced to kill them.’

Ash’s words from the night before drifted through my head. I’d assumed the possessive claim was hyperbole. Like when I’d told Juliet that I’d kill for a Diet Coke. I wouldn’t actually do it.

But would Ash kill for me?

Had Ash killed for me?

I needed to know.

My thumbs trembled so badly, I had to keep fixing my message.

Me: Where are you?

Nothing.

Me: I need to talk to you.

Nothing again.

Me: I saw the news.

But even that didn’t get a response.

I waited for an eternity—or fifteen minutes—before calling.

There was no answer.

He always answered my texts immediately. I’d never had to call him, but that was exactly the point. With the way he worried, he wouldn’t ignore me calling out of the blue. He would pick up no matter what he was doing.

Unless he couldn’t.

My phone buzzed, and my heart skipped, but it was Juliet not Ash.

Juliet: I was trying to be patient and not a pushy friend, but… I’m a pushy friend. Boxing isn’t for everyone, and I should’ve thought to warn you. I’m sorry. I grew up surrounded by it, and even then, it can be a lot. If you are feeling self-conscious about running off, remember that I got lost when I thought I could travel the desert alone. And then I tried to leave again because I believed a sweaty, cruel man when he told me that I didn’t belong with Maximo.

Juliet: Point is, everyone wants to run sometimes.

Juliet: What matters is whether you have someone who cares enough to chase you.

I skimmed her messages but reread the last two a few times.

---