Page 83 of Save Me
“She certainly does love her church,” Abbi continues.
“I hear you’re going this Sunday.”
“Oh, haha.” She chuckles as if I’ve made a joke but then sees my expression. “Wait, what?”
“Didn’t you know? It’s part of Henry’s grift to hold her vote so he can push through his big plans for Mermaid Beach. He’s tossing money at all of them.” I can’t help my bitter tone.
“No.” She shakes her head. “He wouldn’t do that.”
“He is. Through her foundation. You know, the one to bring back traditional family values.” I sling an arm over Abbi’s delicate shoulder and lean in to whisper in her ear, “What would dear, sweet Gayle say if she knew what we’d done in Alaska?”
Gooseflesh coats her skin. “She’d be appalled, but for the right donation would choose to look past it.” Even as she jokes, her cheeks flush with the reminder. It always does when I flirt with her. Before, I’d do it on purpose just to get that reaction and remind her of what we had, but now that Sloane is in my life, it feels wrong.
I’m about to pull away when Henry appears. “Is there a reason you’re fawning over my wife in front of everyone?”
“Needed a place to rest. There are a lot of people here.” I pretend to size up the crowd as I keep my arm on her. “What are you telling them about that shiner?”
“Nothing. No one’s asked.”
I snort. “Bullshit.”
“If you don’t move away from my wife right now, you’ll have two to match,” he threatens in that cool, even tone.
“I hear we’re going to church on Sunday?” Abbi cuts our bickering off, ending the issue by stepping out of my reach and into Henry’s. Her tone is flat. She’s not pleased with his scheming either.
Henry answers it with a smug smirk. “What’s one Sunday morning when you spent every single one there for years?”
“Because you hate the church. And it’s deceitful.”
He sighs. “They get what they want, and I get what I want. Everyone wins.”
“Sloane doesn’t,” I blurt. She’s all I care about here.
“I am not altering my entire business plan on account of the woman you’re fucking this week,” he barks, then glances around as if to make sure no one overheard him. Henry is all about image, after all. “I hear you’re taking Olivia out fishing tomorrow?”
Nice diversion. “Yeah, after golf. Can’t wait to tell her what an asshole you are.” I dig my phone out as it vibrates again.
Unknown:
You better get over here. She’s at it again.
I frown at my screen. Maybe it’s a wrong number.
Who is this?
King Kong
Someone at the hotel called the cops on us for our bonfire and they fined us. She is pissed.
Frank?
How did he get my number?
Three dots bounce, then disappear, and then a picture comes through of a colorful stack of poster board signs piled on what appears to be a shed floor.
“Oh shit.”
“What is it?” Abbi asks, worry on her face.
