Page 83 of Lucky Shot
TWENTY-FOUR
NOAH
I’m pacingThursday afternoon as the minutes tick by. The time is getting closer and closer to the designated appointment during which I’ll finally see Demi for the first time. I’m not even nervous about that. I’m terrified of him seeing me.
So many times this week I wanted to bring up hockey. Just to see if he was a fan. To gauge whether he might recognize me when he sees me.
But I didn’t. Part of me was too terrified of the answer. The other part was doing exactly as he said we should—carry on as normal. Which means we just don’t talk about some things. Which is anything that can get too personal. Hockey is personal for me.
No identifying information. No hints or tidbits that can lead the other down a research rabbit hole and coming up with a name. I’ve learned that the hard way. So many times. So I keep all that stuff tucked away and close.
Everything inside me says that Demi is different.I trust himin a way I haven’t anyone else. Ever since we started talking on the phone, there’s been a deep sense of familiarity with him. Like my soul recognizes him and knows we’re safe.
But my head is still afraid.
My phone pings and I immediately pull it out. But it’s not Demi. I’m both relieved that he’s not canceling and disappointed that it’s not him. I open the text anyway.
Loren Van Doren
Trevor McAllister doesn’t exist.
I tilt my head. There’s no way he’d lie about the name. I could hear the anger in his voice when he mentioned that this man hurt his brother.
Me
Is it possible that he gave a false name?
Loren Van Doren
As a student? I’m not sure how he’d manage that. But maybe he’s not a student… I’ll keep digging.
Me
Thanks.
Would it be an appropriate excuse to text Demi so I could get more information about this guy? It’s curious that he doesn’t exist, though. How many lies has he weaved? Worse, if he doesn’t exist under that name, there’s a chance that he could show up again where his brother is, and he’d never know. Because whatever name he’s using isn’t his legal name.
I’m about to text Demi when my doorbell rings. I freeze, staring wide-eyed in that direction. My hand goes to my neck, where I’m wearing a necklace. I never let anyone see me in a necklace. Except the shells on the yacht, because the people on Kala have no proof.
Glancing at the time, I chew on my lip. There’s only an hour before we’re supposed to call. I can’t have company right now. How convincing can I be that I’m not here?
Another ring and I scowl as I make my way to the door, necklace not forgotten at all, but I refuse to be self-conscious about it. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
Opening the door, I find one of the landscape people there. He looks at me, his eyes tracking down my body quickly before meeting my eyes again. He looks slightly perplexed.
“Mr. Kain?”
I chuckle. “Yes. Who did you think I was?”
He steps back and looks at the house. “I don’t know. I thought you’d be older.”
“Because young people don’t have money?”
He gives me a bemused smile. “I’m sorry. That’s rude of me. I’m Darren with Evergreen Landscaping.”
I take his proffered hand. “I’m Noah Kain. Of the Florida Manatees.”
Darren studies me for a second before breaking out into a smile. “Oh! You’re the hockey player in the neighborhood!”
