Page 112 of Sing Me Home
Bowen shivered like it was disgusting. “Exactly my point. I do my best to never think about it. So thank you…for putting that image back in my head.” He rubbed his temple. “Besides, I don’t think anyone cheated there.”
My head swayed side to side like a pendulum. “Depends on who’s telling the story.”
He chuckled.
My smart watch vibrated, notifying me of yet another text.
Cash
Seriously, Charlie. You’re starting to stress me out. We’re leaving in twenty minutes. Are you really not coming?
Another came through.
Cash
Or at least coming to hug me goodbye?
Bowen snorted. “Put him out of his misery and tell him you’ll meet him on the bus.”
“Nah.” I snickered. “This is what he gets for going behind my back.”
“To pay off your debt,” Bowen said like I was insane. “You are something else, Chuck.”
“You’re one to talk.” I took the puppy from him and put it in the crate.
I offered Bowen my hand and pulled him to his feet.
Just then, the barn door slid open. I yanked him down, the two of us crouching behind the stall wall. I put a finger to my lips. Cash did not get to find me.
“Charlie? Are you in here?”
Ice jolted through my veins. “Lorne?” I bit out the name like a curse word and stood to peer over the rail.
Sure enough, Lorne was standing in the middle of the aisle, wearing a full-on juggler’s costume. Bright multicolored striped pants with suspenders to match, a white button-up shirt and a bright red bow tie. But the kicker were the shoes—the kind that curled up at the ends and flared open like a flower petal around the ankle, completing his ridiculous look.
“Charlie?” he said again, pale and slack. Even in the dim light of the barn, I could see that. Oh, wait. That was white face paint—smeared, like someone had yanked him from the show mid-act.
What the?
I walked out to talk to him, Bowen right behind me. But then I paused.Something’s not right, my brain warned. Lorne was the most spineless person I’d ever met. He wouldn’t come crawling back here unless he needed something.
No, not something. One thing. The only thing he’d ever needed from me.
Money.
“I can’t believe you were married to this tool.” Bowen huffed. “Dude has the most NPC energy I’ve ever seen.”
My eyes narrowed on my ex. I hated being connected to him, even in past tense. “What’re you doing here? If Holden finds out he’ll ki?—”
The words died in my throat as two guys stepped out of the shadows behind him, eyes dark and vindictive. My heart hammered like a war drum.
Because I recognized them.
I edged back, bringing Bowen with me. “We need to go,” I rasped, my voice a ghost of itself. My watch started vibrating again. I muted it with my palm.
“Charlie,” Bowen whispered. “What’s going on?”
I took another step but just then the door opened on the other end of the barn. I squeezed my eyes shut, knowing we were too late.
