Page 52 of The Fall Back Plan
For a moment, I perk up. That could definitely explain a slow night. But . . . that would only explain why Harvest High alumni aren’t here.
We’re behind the bar, and I hand Ry my phone. He takes it with a questioning look before he reads the post. His forehead wrinkles deeper with every comment. “Jolie, this is complete crap.”
“I know. But it’s Sloane’s way of getting back at me for kicking her out the other night. One of the dolls was left at her house, and she and her dad went to Lucas and told him it was me because...”
“Because why? Did she confess to bullying you in high school so your ‘revenge’ makes sense?” The air quotes he puts around “revenge” are the most aggressive I’ve ever seen. I love him even more for it.
I shake my head. “Something about being jealous of her then and trying to get even? I don’t know. But when Lucas questioned me—”
“When he didwhat?”
“He had to. I was mad about it too, but I get it.”
“Jo, you know I’m the first to play peacemaker, but you are taking all of this way too calmly.”
“You wouldn’t think so if you’d seen me in my office fifteen minutes ago.” When his face darkens even more, I rest a hand on his arm. “Lucas knows I didn’t do it, and I’ve got logs from my alarm system to prove it.”
“Then go on here and tell them you didn’t do it.” He thrusts the phone at me.
I slide it into my pocket. “They won’t believe me.”
“Then tell them the sheriff’s department cleared you.”
“They believe I’m guilty based on my move-in date and the word of a stranger,” I say. “They’re not going to believe I’ve been cleared.”
“Then tell Lucas to make an official statement.”
My eyebrows go up. That’s a thought. “I’m not sure if he can do that in an open investigation. I don’t know the rules.”
“I’m sure he can if your name is being slandered. Or libeled. Or whatever posting those rumors is.” He nods at my phone.
I find a small smile. “I’ll ask him about that when he brings over the case file so I can help.”
Ry’s eyes widen. “Seriously?” He does a fist pump when I nod. “Yes. The doll creep is as good as caught. No one is better at puzzles than you.”
“I hope so,” I tell him. It’s hard to know how good I’ll be at this one because I don’t know how many pieces I’ll have to work with. “But to be honest, I think it’s not going to be too helpful for me to be here tonight, so I’m going to take off. Don’t want to put people off their beer.”
He hauls me into his arms. Ry and his mom were the only people who showed me physical affection when I was a kid. I always felt awkward, but I still loved their spontaneous hugs.
“They’re going to be so sorry they messed with you,” he says into my hair. Then he lets me go and pushes me in the direction of my office. “Get out of here. Eat something bad for you and watch something that will rot your brain.”
“Will do.”
I almost stop at the burger joint a couple of blocks down, but halfway there, I turn and walk back to my truck. What if they believe the rumor too? I don’t know who’s on my side right now besides Lucas and my staff.
That’s not nothing. I know that. But I still have that lonely feeling I remember too well of not knowing who’s on my side and who’s sucking up to Sloane. Wayne Oakley’s position as Chamber president means he knows all the businesses around here, and who knows what he’s been spreading around and to where.
I drive through a chain place and eat my uninspired value meal on the way home. I try watching a few different things on my laptop, but nothing holds my attention, so I give up and put in a meditation app to help me sleep.
The problem turns out not to have been homecoming. Business is terrible all weekend. So terrible that I’m glad when Lucas wakes me up an hour early on Monday morning by ringing my doorbell. When I see him in the app, standing on my porch in his uniform, holding up a bakery bag and smiling at my doorbell camera, I smile back even though he can’t see me.
“Just woke up,” I tell him through the intercom. “I’ll meet you in my kitchen. Feel free to look for weird doll crap while you wait.”
He shakes his head but walks in when I tell him the alarm system is disengaged.
I shuffle over to my closet, but there’s nothing I want to wear. I have an urge to put on something cute. It’s stupid. But I can still take pride in my appearance even if I’m not going to date Lucas. I want a soft sweater and a pair of jeans, but my one pair of jeans needs washing, and I don’t own any casual sweaters. It’s all suits and more suits and I’m sick of it. In fact, the longer I stand here staring, the more an idea takes shape in my head, and I yank all of the jackets off their bars and lay them on my bed.
“Jo? You good?” Lucas calls from the end of the hall, and I realize I’ve lost track of time.
