Page 36 of For Fox Sake

Can this day get any suckier?

Chapter Ten

Jake

“It’s been over a week.” Oliver’s words lash across the phone line like a whip.

“It’s only been a week and a half.”

The menacing silence is almost more frightening than his words.

“I know, I know. I need a little more time. I’m almost done here.”

Am I though?

I haven’t found any big answers yet. And I don’t want to leave. I’m not ready.

“Piper was deep in creation mode last week, but now she’s coming out of it, and she’s upset that you’re gone.”

I stifle a groan, covering my eyes with one hand.

Oliver will literally burn down the entire world if Piper so much as gets a paper cut.

I’m truly fucked now. Time is up.

“I am not okay with her being upset. You told me you left a note.”

Wait, what? “I did leave a note.”

“This note does not exist, according to Finley, who has even contacted Taylor.”

Taylor is out of the country, on vacation in Greece with her boyfriend Atticus. “Just give me a little more time.”

“No. Tell me where you are.”

“I can’t yet.”

More ominous silence fills the line. “I’m going to find you.” His voice is low and threatening.

I snort. “Okay, Liam Neeson.”

A door slams and I lift my gaze to the house across the street. Ari bolts down the driveway. “You should really work on the Irish accent.”

I frown. Why is she running?

She’s heading this way, her blond hair and red cape streaming behind her. “Jake!”

I stand, checking up and down the street for cars.

“Piper is upset,” Oliver says in my ear.

“Yeah, you mentioned that. She’s my sister. I’ve upset her many times. She’ll live. And I know you will find me, eventually, but I’m not telling you shit.” Maybe that will buy me a few more days. “I gotta go, buh-bye now.” I hang up and shove my phone in my pocket, approaching Ari in the middle of the street.

“Hey, is everything okay?”

“Come quick.” She’s already running back toward her house, calling out over her shoulder. “The water is everywhere, and I need to get the toolbox.”

Water everywhere?

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