Page 80 of Haunted Ever After

In his head there was silence, and at first Nick thought Elmer was done communicating. He rarely gave notice before ending conversations. But half a cup of coffee later he was back. Speaking of sticking around, it’s time I was off too.

Nick sat up straighter. “Off? What do you mean?” Panic fluttered in his chest.

I was never supposed to stay here for good, you know. I just wanted to know that someone would take care of my café after I was gone. No one else ever listened, or took my advice.

“Oh yeah. And I’ve been so open to feedback.” Don’t go, Nick wanted to say. But he forced himself to stay calm and listen. This was the most Elmer had ever volunteered before about why he’d lingered in Boneyard Key. Nick owed it to him to listen.

Yeah, but you’ve been kind. You make coffee for me. You answer me. And then you made my lemon cake.

“The lemon cake? Was that all you wanted me to do before you moved on? Why didn’t you say so?”

Use your brain. You think I stuck around pouting because you didn’t make my lemon cake? God, you’re a dumbass.

Nick choked on his next sip of coffee. Setting the mug down, he coughed until his lungs were clear. “Thanks, man. Always there to make me feel good about myself.”

That’s the point. You don’t need me to do that anymore. You’ve got your girl.

“I think you’re right.” Despite this blow he was being dealt—he had gotten really used to having Elmer as a roommate—Nick couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Cassie being his girl.

You’ve got this town, you’ve got friends, if you’ll let yourself lean on them for a change. And now you’ve got Cassie. Even though there’s still a chance you’ll fuck it up—

“Thanks a lot.”

But the voice in Nick’s head continued like he hadn’t interrupted. I feel better leaving you behind now that I know you’re not alone.

“You stuck around for me?” It was suddenly hard to swallow, and Nick had to blink hard to clear his vision.

Of course I stuck around for you. You think I really give that much of a shit about banana bread?

Nick choked out a laugh around the tears that threatened to fall. “I hope that where you’re going is a better place for you.”

Dolores is waiting for me. At least she’d better be—we were married forty-seven years, and when she went first, she promised she’d wait. She’s a hell of a lot better company than you are.

Nick pinched the bridge of his nose, conveniently swiping at his eyes with his index finger and thumb. “Then you really should get going. You’ve kept her waiting a long time.”

Damn right, I have. And Nick?

“Yeah?”

Get rid of this godawful recliner. It’s a piece of shit.

Another involuntary laugh, and this time Nick didn’t even bother trying to hide his tears. “You got it.” But he was lying; he was going to hang on to that chair until it finally fell apart.

It took a few minutes for the cold to truly dissipate. Even the leather recliner looked different somehow. Duller. Emptier.

Nick picked up his phone. All the texts from Elmer, from every single unknown number, were gone. Wiped, as though they’d never happened.

Elmer was truly gone. Wasn’t that a kick in the ass.

As much as he told himself that this was what Elmer wanted, and he was happy for the old guy, Nick was going to miss him. Elmer had been a voice in his head and a thorn in his side for a long time now, and he wasn’t sure what he was going to do without him.

But Elmer wouldn’t want to hear that. Life was for the living, as he liked to say. So Nick scrolled through his contacts and punched up a number.

Cassie answered right away. “Miss me already?”

“You know it.” He tried to sound casual, but his voice was too strangled, and Cassie noticed immediately.

“Hey. What is it?”

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