Page 18 of Coty

Jay holds his hand out. “Where’s your car? I’ll tow it to the shop.”

Finley drops her keys into his palm. “About halfway between here and Dades Creek.” She lets her hand rest on top of Jay’s and the keys. “I’m sure I blew a tire or two.”

Jay nods and glances at her mother. “Okay. I got it. Glad you’re not hurt. Thanks for helping my family today. Enjoy your lunch.”

Jay walks across the restaurant. He lifts his hand, signaling for Cloudy to help. Cloudy Daze jumps up and follows him out the door.

“Yeah. Thanks for helping our family.” Mack tilts his head.

“Of course.” Ms. Rhodes sheepishly slides into the chair at the head of the table. She places her hand over Nanny’s. “We’re sorry for your loss. The church is honored to host Ariel’s Candlelight Vigil this year.”

Nanny leans back in her chair, slowly pulling her hand away from the table. “That’s kind of you.”

Mack stands behind his wife’s chair. He leans down and kisses Nanny’s cheek. “I love you. I’m across the room if you need me.”

Nanny kisses the corner of his mouth. “I love you, too.”

These two don’t care if their affection for one another makes people uncomfortable.

Ms. Rhodes opens her mouth. Mack walks away before she speaks. The McLeods are kind to everyone until a member of their family is disrespected. The pastor’s wife’s little jab at Jay put her on their bad list.

“Angie,” Jack calls out. “Will you get Finley a towel?” He blows Lily a kiss before joining the others in the front dining room.

“Already got it.” Angie hands Finley a towel. “You poor dear. Soaking wet. I’ll get you a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up.”

“Thank you.” Finley dries off the best she can. She sits next to Emily, across from Lily and me.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I hit a deer and totaled my car a few years ago.

“It was scary, but I’m okay.” She glances at her mother. She’s talking with Nana. Finley leans forward and looks between Lily, Emily, and me. “I’m really the one planning Ariel’s vigil. I was hoping you three would help me.”

“Absolutely,” Emily assures her.

“Good. We can get together on another day without all the others,” Finley suggests.

“Best idea I’ve heard all day.” I’d rather do this without her mother present and other eyes on me. A glance across the room confirms what I feel. Coty watches me. He’s going to want to talk soon. No matter how much I will that day away, it’s coming.

Chapter 9

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Coty

The fellowship hall at Willow Creek Baptist Church is packed. Most of the town comes out for Ariel McLeod’s Candlelight Vigil, no matter where it’s held. In fourteen years, this is the first time this church has hosted the event. No matter how much Finley tried to bring everyone together, there’s a clear divide between townsfolk and bikers tonight. They have their side of the room. We have ours.

The fellowship hall is decorated beautifully. Flameless white candles are on every table. The flower centerpieces have red and pink roses, tied with white and purple ribbons. Each color means something. Ariel’s favorite color was red. The pink roses are for Baby Angel. Emily said white at funerals represents honor, peace, and innocence. This is a memorial service, yet it always feels like a funeral to me. The purple ribbon is for domestic violence. Nanny refuses to use purple when they honor Ariel’s birthday in June.

Kayla, Lily, Emily, and Finley did a great job putting this together. A sober feeling settled over the room when Jack’s family walked in. The candlelight vigil does bring people together to remember Ariel. From what I’m witnessing tonight, Harley was right. More than half of these people are here for show, not because they care about the McLeods. Reporters from the local paper, radio station, and news channel are here. If you ask me, it’s why most of these people showed up tonight. I’ll never say that to Jack or his family, especially not to Nanny.

Pastor Rhodes and his family stand in front of the room on a small stage. Jack and his family stand next to a table with special candles that Finley had ordered. One is red with Ariel’s name on the holder. The other is light pink with Angel’s name on it. It’s a really sweet gesture. Jack’s parents will treasure those.

Nanny holds the lighter. Her hand visibly shakes, even from the back of the room. Mack covers her hand with his to help steady her. After a prayer from Pastor Rhodes, Jack’s parents light the candles. The only member of their family who isn’t here is Harley. She’s getting the help she needs. However, it feels wrong with her.

I’m leaning against the back wall, near the exit door, watching everything. Movement to my right catches my eye. Kayla slips outside. A quick glance around the room assures me everything’s fine. It’s doubtful anything bad would happen at a church. Well, as long as we keep Jay away from the Pastor’s son, Matthew, things should be fine. No one knows what happened between those two. Hendrix is on Jay duty tonight. I kind of feel bad for the big guy. He and Jay are about the same size. Hendrix is a little bigger, but Jay isn’t easy to take down, especially when he’s angry.

I wouldn’t abandon my post if everything weren’t okay. Dipping my chin once at Bankz, I slowly slip outside. Kayla’s nowhere in sight. A weird feeling rolls down my spine. Where is she? I hurry around the corner of the fellowship hall and find her leaning against the building. I get it. The room is stuffy and full of tension. Fresh air can clear your mind. She’s safe. My nerves and emotions still need a moment to settle down, though.

“You okay?” I stand in front of her. She’s close enough to touch, but I don’t.

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