Page 41 of Stone Deep
My fingers gripped the steering wheel tighter. I stared ahead but was hardly seeing the road. “Why the hell did he call?”
“He was pissed. He said you showed upwith some asshole making all kinds of threats.”
“Threats? Fucking Damon broke it off with Perris and he knew she was in a really bad place when he suggested she take a bottle of pills and be done with it.” I hadn’t talked about Damon’s confession. Even on the road home, Slade and I avoided the topic. I had clear evidence of what happened to my sister, and it was for me alone to absorb and understand. But Ryan had always come to Damon’s defense. It was one of many things that helped drive us apart.
My dry throat was clamping tight around my voice but I continued. “Damon was at home when Perris died.”
Ryan rolled his head without lifting it from the seat. “That’s not what I heard. How do you know he was there?”
“Because he was playing his stupid drumsticks in the background of the voicemail Perris left me. The last message she left.” Tears burned my eyes.
Ryan had no response but something horrid occurred to me. I looked over at him. “Holy shit, all this time you’ve been in contact with Damon. You knew where he was. You knew I was going nuts looking for the asshole, and you knew where he was.”
“Yeah, so. Looks like I was right not to fucking tell you. Who the hell is the dude with all the tattoos?”
“I said it was none of your business.”
He kicked the floor beneath the dashboard. “Yes, it’s my fucking business.”
“No, it’s not. The doctor said I have to watch you tonight and wake you every three hours, but I’m ready to just dump you off.“
“Whatever.” He closed his eyes. His face paled to the soft olive tone of nausea.
“If you have to throw up, then hang your head out the window.”
He took a few deep breaths and opened his eyes. “Why are you going this direction?”
“I’m taking you to my motel room. I’ve got to stay there because I have a kitten.”
“You know I’m allergic to cats.”
“Yep. I guess it’ll just add to your misery.” Thankfully, we drove the rest of the way in silence. I pulled into the parking lot of the motel and stopped the car.
Ryan lifted his head and squinted at the shabby motel. “Fuck, Brit, is this where you’re staying? Why the hell don’t you just come home?”
“This place is fine, and best of all, you aren’t here. Or at least you weren’t here until today.”
“We just need to talk things out.”
A dry, anger-filled laugh left my mouth. “You can’t be serious?” I opened the door. “Now let’s hurry and get you inside. Otherwise, the manager will charge me double tonight.”
I walked over to his side. My wish to get him inside fast was made impossible by his slow-motion movements as he stretched up out of the car. He’d obviously taken a pretty good hit to the head. A few years ago, before he’d betrayed me, cheated on me, took me for granted and ignored all my feelings, I would have been happy to comfort him.
I opened the room door, and he stepped inside. “You’d rather stay here? It’s a fucking hell hole.”
“Yep, I’d rather stay here. What does that say about us? Still want to talk things out?” Bolt’s tiny meow came from under the bed. “Lower your voice. You’re scaring my cat.”
“Good. Keep that walking ball of dander away from me.” He flopped onto the bed and pulled a pillow over his face to blot out the small amount of light peeking between the curtains.
I pulled out the empty ice pack the hospital had given me from my purse. “I need to get some ice. I’ll be right back.” I stepped out onto the cement pathway that ran along the entire stretch of rooms. The manager, Mr. Kinon, an extremely grumpy man with a long, stretched face and yellow teeth was standing in the office window watching me as I headed to the ice machine. I smiled and waved, but he didn’t return the greeting.
I filled the ice bucket and made a quick turn back to my room. I heard the office door open and shut behind me but ignored the footsteps. It would have been impossible for him to miss the six-foot-two man climbing out of my car at a snail’s pace. I hurried inside the room and even knowing Mr. Kinon with his long face was behind me, I startled at the sound of his knock on the door.
Ryan lifted the pillow and looked across the room.
“That’s the manager. You’re going to owe me some money.”
I opened the door and splashed a wide smile across my face. “Afternoon, Mr. Kinon.”
