Page 29 of Watch Me Burn

I stole a quick look at the entrance to the backyard and then abruptly ended the call. A glimmer of hope began to stir deep inside me, but I kept it firmly in check. If Nathan was confident he could steer Anan back on course, then he was welcome to try. But I wouldn’t let myself become a victim of false hope. I couldn’t afford to be swept up in an emotional high, only to be brutally dashed back down to earth again.

Chapter 14

Anna

I lugged my carry-on over my shoulders. Yet again, I was in front my mother’s home—the one I eagerly moved out of the minute I turned eighteen. Too many haunting memories. One in particular was etched in my mind, marked by a gruesome scene of blood and the jarring spectacle of my best friend being led away in handcuffs.

A shudder shot up my spine as I pulled my carry-on closer to my body, thinking the autumn wind was getting the better of me. Three long weeks had passed since the shocking incident at the diner. I had managed to talk Will down, convincing him not to involve the police. I threatened to expose his attempted rape, a revelation that would undoubtedly shatter his life. That was enough to persuade him to let me drive him to the nearest hospital and spin a tale about being victims of a robbery. Yet, the vivid image of Ethan’s clenched fist colliding with Will’s blood-smeared face lingered in my mind, as crisp and chilling as the autumn breeze outside.

I walked to my mother’s porch in a pumpkin-colored sweater, beige slacks, and brown booties. My waist was clinched from a black belt that had a gold emblem, which I’d definitely be loosening the minute we dug into my mother’s turkey stuffing.

A knot twisted in my throat. It’d been weeks since me and him last spoke. No text messages and no calls. Simply rolling his name on my tongue lit a fire inside of me, and it blazed even worse when I thought of his face on the day of our confrontation.

Our final fight.

Gulping, I dropped my carry-on in front of me to free my arms. Then, I took a deep breath and knocked on my mother’s front door.

Today, I was dedicating my energy toward having a good time with my family. None of this love or murder drama would play any larger part in my life than it had already managed to.

Wait, love drama?

“Anna!” my mother beamed. She wrapped me into a bear hug, swinging me around like a doll in her skinny frame.

“I’m so happy to see you,” I said breathily. A tired smile was plastered across my face. Usually, I’d worry over my mother’s state of wellbeing, but she looked a lot more sprightly than usual. Her cheeks seemed to have filled out, and there was a new skip to her step.

Without me even asking, she swooped my carry-on off the floor and skittered to the kitchen. As uncharacteristic as her sudden liveliness was, I definitely preferred to see my family members happy more than I did upset.

“So, you and Ethan don’t talk any longer, right?” my mother remarked in a sing-song voice.

Nathan, that snitch.

My shoulders tensed. “Let’s not talk about it.”

I had no idea what Ethan was up to. He didn’t call or text. He was probably at some halfway house somewhere, surrounded by girls who he met at bars.

So, I didn’t counter my mother when she segued into ranting about how bad of an idea this investigation was in the first place. I stayed frozen in my seat, shifting only from the discomfort it brought to hear his name spoken over and over again.

“Mom, can we please move on to something else?” I said. “Where are Nathan and the kids?”

“You’re right, sweetie. Nathan, Valley, and their little ones will be here any minute.”

I looked over the beautiful Thanksgiving decorations, the fall-themed flowers and napkins, when I remembered that Ethan used to sit down at this exact dinner table, chomping turkey over our porcelain plates while he joked with my dad and Nathan.

I sat silently in my chair, waiting impatiently for Nathan to arrive and dinner to be served.

A knock sounded on our front door. Thank god!

“Oh, looks like they’re already here!” my mother exclaimed. While she went to go greet Nathan and his family, I rose from my chair to stroll around the living room.

Plates upon plates lined the kitchen counter with lobster bisques and other meaty dishes. My mother also baked my favorite cake—carrot cake—and swirled a dollop of frosting in the center.

My stomach tightened in both hunger and shame. She took her time to put up these special arrangements for me, and for so many weeks, I’d planned on putting her on radio silence for the sake of some guy who just dropped me like a hot potato after almost killing a man.

“Anna!”

Before I could turn around, a warm body trapped me in a hug.

“Hey, Nathan!” My two nieces and his wife Valley were still chatting with my mom at the coat rack.

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