Page 149 of In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes

Olivia let out a sharp laugh and I shook myself back to the present. Holden had arrived, his gaze flicking between me and the TV. Olivia stood behind him, face turned up to the screen. A few people gathered around them. Olivia shook with laughter before she reached over the counter for the remote and turned the volume up.

“The viral video was filmed by the Queen’s Cove wildlife conservation society,” the reporter explained, “who host a live feed of the bear den during the hibernation months.”

My stomach dropped through the floor. “Oh my god.”

I hurried over to behind Holden to watch. On screen, a clip played of the bear slapping the other bear with the dildo. My hands covered my mouth and my eyes widened.

“Local conservation officers say the bears played for hours with the toy, hitting each other with it and tossing it around. Miri Yang, a local teacher and philanthropist, says the toy belongs to local bartender and interior designer Sadie Waters.”

An image of me outside the inn that first morning, when the dildo was on the ground, appeared on screen. One of my eyes was closed, my hair was an unbrushed mess, and I wore sweatpants and no bra.

“No!” I screeched, as laughter rose around me. Olivia doubled over laughing and Holden’s arm came around me, beaming. “I’m going to kill Miri.”

The video cut to an interview with Miri.

“Yes, the dildo belongs to Sadie Waters,” she told the reporter, standing in front of the Queen’s Cove marina. “It’s part of the My Ferocious Alien line.” She peered into the camera with a serious expression. “Women’s sexuality is very important, and the town of Queen’s Cove supports Sadie Waters in all her sexual exploration. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

My face burned so hot, I thought my skin would melt. I couldn’t move.

The screen changed to a view of both reporters, struggling to hold back laughter.

“That thing is huge!” one of them said to the other. “No wonder the video has millions of views.”

I buried my face in Holden’s shoulder and he rubbed my back, still laughing.

The front door of the bar opened and a woman walked in, who I recognized as one of the conservation officers.

“No,” I whined when I spotted the bag in her hands.

She shot me a big smile. “Sadie Waters?”

My eyes closed for a brief moment. Everyone around me fell silent, holding their breaths.

“Yes?” I said, even though I knew I’d regret it.

She reached into the bag and pulled out the alien dildo, gnawed and pocked in teeth marks.

The bar erupted in cheers and I dissolved into laughter despite my total humiliation.

“I believe this belongs to you,” she said, handing it over.

“It’s not—” I began.

The bar patrons cut me off. “It’s not mine!” they chanted before cheering and clapping as I accepted the toy.

I sighed at Olivia, shaking my head. My face burned but I couldn’t help but laugh along with everyone. “This place is so fucking weird.”

“You love it,” she shot back, returning behind the bar counter.

Holden’s gaze met mine and I nodded at him. “I really do.”

57

Sadie

We were doinglast call at the bar when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I stared at the number and frowned. I didn’t recognize the caller but it was almost midnight.

---