Page 98 of The Revenge Agenda

“How do we expose Ian for the piece of shit he is?”

Seven’s smile is evil. “There’s a beware site for Seattle dating. People post about guys and girls who should be avoided and why. We can smear his ugly mug all over that.”

“That’s too temporary. And not everyone has access to that—I’ve never heard of it before, for example, and I’ve been in Seattle dating for years.”

“You want bigger?” Madden asks in surprise.

“I want consequence. An actual one that will actually impact him.”

They all fall silent when I need them to be their usual loud, overenthusiastic selves.

“Fine.” I stand, midway through Monopoly Monday, and head for the front door. It’s high time I paid Agatha a visit anyway, and hopefully, she’ll be able to help with my wobbly thoughts.

I make my way to the house next door. It’s bigger than ours, all original but kept in near perfect condition. Agatha is the queen of her little palace, but she’s getting old, and I honestly don’t know how much longer she’ll be able to keep living here by herself. There are a lot of stairs, and statistically, she’s at a higher risk of a fall by walking up and down them every day.

I knock on the door loud enough for her to hear me before letting myself inside. Warmth rushes through me. Familiarity and a sense of belonging aren’t far behind it. There haven’t been many places I fit in my life, but here is one of them.

“Is it someone come to murder me and steal all my things?” she shouts from a room down the hall.

“I could easily steal your things without having to murder you,” I tell her as I reach the room she’s sitting in reading.

“I’d put up a fight.”

“It wouldn’t be very effective.”

Aggy tilts her head before dog-earing the book and tossing it aside. “What are you worried about?”

“Not so much worried as antsy.”

She makes an understanding sound. “Is there anything you need my help with?”

“I’m still working that out.” I climb onto the couch beside her and curl up at her side. “Can you hug me a bit?”

She laughs and wraps me into her boney arms. I frown at the prominence of her collarbone under my cheek.

“You’re getting thin.”

“No, I’m getting old.”

“Not that old.”

“I’m eighty next year, Rush. I never thought I’d make it that far, but because I have, I’d like a party. A big one. I’ve also already told the others, so if you forget, it’s okay. We’ve got you covered.”

Something heavy crosses my chest. “I don’t forget important things.”

“Of course you do, but that doesn’t mean you don’t love me.” She pauses. “Have you reached out to your grandmother?”

“No.”

“Do you want to?”

I bite the inside of my mouth. “She didn’t want me when I was younger, and I haven’t changed, but she’s gotten older, so she definitely doesn’t want me now.” At one point, that made me sad. I felt alone for a very long time, but now I have a family and Aggy and Hunter.

Hunter.

“I think I’m in love.”

“Well, that’s nice.”

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