Page 19 of In Death, Love Survives
“Yeah, man. Trust.”
I scoff at the concept.
“Trust has to be earned.”
“I want to earn it. However I can in here so I get a shot out there.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, and, believe it or not, I’m a friend to most in this place.”
“Typical Caleb,” I mutter before taking another bite.
“What’s that?”
Holding onto my utensil, I flippantly wave it around.
“Setting me up with the likes of you in here. Trying to become a Road Rider while I’m rotting in prison. On day two.”
“I get out soon. I want an opportunity when that happens. I’m here to help you until then.”
I pause mid-bite and look back up at Toby.
“You want in when you’re out?”
“Yessir.”
“Fine. Do your part in here. Then we’ll go from there.”
“Deal.”
Toby gives someone in the distance a nod, and for my second day in prison, I don’t have to peacock to prove that no one wants to fuck with Wolfe Walker here.
THREE
Nova
“Ready for that drink?”Ryan asks while leaning against my doorframe.
He’s looking at me strangely, almost with a newfound sense of purpose twinkling in his eyes. It’s peculiar after the conversations we’ve been having this week.
“Sure. Give me a minute, and I’ll meet you outside by our cars.”
I was miffed at him after the Wolfe Walker arrival situation, and ever since then, he’s been a bit over the top trying to get my approval.
I’m not sure what’s happening with him, but it’s odd. Regardless, I have to try and be there for him. He already seemed off earlier this week before all this started, which is why I agreed to go out for drinks in the first place.
It’s been ages since I’ve gone out with anyone else. Typically, my life revolves around Roper State and being at home in my apartment.
I feel most like myself when I’m home alone, knitting, reading, or trying to plan a trip I’ll never take—really anything but having to interact with more people.
My need to isolate and my preference for being alone stem from what happened to me as a teenager. It’s why I try not to get too close to anyone.
I know all the tactics to try and overcome what happened, but a decade later, I’ve accepted that this is just who I am. This is who Nova Fletcher grew up to be, and I don’t hate her, even if I thought she would be different before what happened.
My back shivers from the memories.
Push them back down, Nova.
