Page 45 of Ghost

“Have you tried talking to him about any of this?”

“No.” She looked up at me with tears in her eyes. “Not because I don’t want to. I just don’t know what to say to him. I’ve been so awful, but that hasn’t stopped him from being him.He’s still doing everything he can to keep me safe, and I don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve any of it. It’s one of the reasons why I’ve wanted to get out of here so bad—that and the fact that it’s so hard to see him with those club girls.”

I’d been there for weeks, and I’d never seen Preacher even look at Bridget or any of the other club girls. That didn’t mean it hadn’t happened, but there was a good chance it was all in Kay’s head. “You should talk to him.”

“You really think so?”

“Absolutely. I think you owe it to him and to yourself.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Okay.” I stood and started for the door. “Thanks again for the hair.”

“Thank you for the talk.”

“Any time.”

Kay was still sitting on the edge of the bed as I walked out of the room and headed to find Toby. I had a feeling she would be there for a while, thinking over everything we’d talked about. I really hoped that she would take a chance and talk to Preacher. It might be the very thing that brings them back together—or it could tear them apart completely. Either way, they’d both get some closure on a past that had clearly hurt them both.

When I got to the family room, Toby and Garrison were piled up on the sofa, playing one of their favorite video games. We still had an hour or so before dinner, so I left them to it and went over to one of the empty couches in the back. I’d just pulled out my book and had started reading when I heard the familiar thud of heavy boots coming in my direction. I looked up and smiled when I saw that it was Ghost. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

“The hair looks really nice. It suits you.”

“Thanks. I think so, too.”

He studied me for a moment, then walked over and sat down on the opposite end of the sofa. I couldn’t help but notice the little thought wrinkle he was sporting on the bridge of his nose. Something was clearly on his mind, and if that scowl was any indication, it wasn’t good. “Is something wrong?”

He rubbed the back of his neck and grimaced like he was trying to find the right words. “What’s your plan?”

“Plan for what?”

“The future.”

“I don’t know.” I had no idea where this was leading, so I asked, “How far into the future are we talking? Tomorrow? Next week? A year from now?”

“Plans for when you leave here.”

“Oh...” That was not where I thought he was going—not because I didn’t know it was coming. I knew the time would come when they all got tired of Toby and me being there, but I’d hoped we would have a little longer to prepare. My stomach tightened as I thought it over. "Well, I’ll have to find a place to live and a job and a place for Toby to go to school.”

Ghost’s gaze stayed steady on me, and I could feel him weighing my words. I swallowed and kept going. “I worked at a coffee shop. Maybe I could do something like that again or maybe retail. I don’t have a lot of experience there, but I’m a quick learner.”

Ghost nodded, but there was something about the way he was watching me that made me feel like he had more to say. Like there was a reason he was asking. “I know you didn’t just ask that out of the blue, so what’s going on?”

“There’s been a bit of a situation.”

“What kind of situation?”

“Toby was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and he saw things he shouldn’t have seen.” Ghost grimaced as he added, “And I’m pretty sure this wasn’t the first time.”

“What did he see?”

“He was on the girls’ hall, if that tells you anything.”

“Oh, no,” I gasped. “He didn’t mention anything to me.”

“I didn’t figure he would. Kids will be kids and all that, but it wasn’t his fault. The clubhouse isn’t exactly the best place for a kid his age.”

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