The Broken Lake (The Pace Series, Book 2) Read online

  “It was probably just animals.”

  She sipped her coffee, but still leaned intently toward me. “That’s what I thought, but last night I heard a noise outside my window, and I got up. I didn’t see anything, but I went to check all the windows and when I looked out the front, I saw a gray car drive by real slow.”

  She was so intent in her description that even I started to suspect something evil. Then I snapped out of it.

  “Mom, a lot of cars drive by.”

  “Not at 2:30 in the morning.”

  I really didn’t have anything to say after that. The only thing I was thinking about was that if my mom got an alarm, I’d be locked in at night, and Wes would be locked out. Even if we punched in the code, it would make enough noise to wake her. That thought was not how I wanted to start my day.

  It put me in a grumpy mood, and I had a ton of homework to do. I had missed two online lessons with my teachers last week, so I needed to watch the recorded lessons to get caught up. It took me just a few minutes to log on and pull up the links. Still in my pajamas, I cuddled up in my chair and watched a lesson on Jonathan Swift’s essay A Modest Proposal.

  By the time I finished reading it myself, and submitting the assignments, I was ready for a nap. I’d been on the go for a few weeks by then, and exhaustion was catching up with me.

  With dragging feet, I went over to my bed and wrapped myself in my sheets. My brain was feeling funny with all the thoughts that were bouncing around. Between my mom and her alarm, Wes and the police, me and my life, and work and its drama, I was amazed that it had taken me this long to crash.

  The next thing I remember was popping up, wondering how long I’d been asleep. I was supposed to go to Wes’ house around noon and was positive it was later than that. I just knew it.

  I glanced at the clock—1:30. “Crap.”

  I threw off the covers and reached for my cell. Quickly dialing his number, I just hoped he wasn’t too worried. I closed my eyes to block the light when I heard a familiar ringtone coming from my reading chair.

  Confused, I opened my eyes again. “Wes! Holy crap.”

  He was sitting right there. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “I fell asleep.”

  Smiling softly, he said, “I know.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me?”

  He moved over to the bed now. “Because I didn’t want to.”

  “Because I was completely out of it?”

  “That too.” His hand was on my knee.

  We were both holding back smiles. I was hesitant to fully commit to mine because of my disappointment in a wasted afternoon. His hesitation was different.

  “What?” I asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “You are just the most perfect thing ever. Even with huge circles under your eyes.”

  My hands went up to them immediately. “What kind of compliment is that?”

  “An honest one. It’s okay to need rest, Sophie. A lot has happened in the last few weeks. You don’t have to be on the go all the time. You need to take care of yourself.”

  Now I tried to rub the bags from beneath my eyes. “You’re right.”

  I pulled him down and nestled up to him for at least another hour, getting more needed rest.

  By Monday morning, I was feeling better. Energized, no dark circles. I finished most of my work for the week, had lunch with my mom on Thursday, exchanged some kisses with Wes before I left campus, and then headed to work. And that’s when the downer came. Its name was Chase.

  I was shelving books when the doorbell chimed. Usually, it would’ve been Dawn in the store, but the little hussy called in sick, leaving me to work with him. I glanced at him as he walked to the back, expecting his usual smirk and flirty look, but instead I was greeted by a cold stare.

  At first, I thought it was his new haircut that was making him look less friendly, but when he didn’t look away, I knew he was purposely giving me an intimidating stare. I gave him an uncertain look then turned away, still feeling his stare as he passed. An odd, creepy feeling climbed up my back.

  I was so disturbed by the encounter that I went up front and asked Danny to shelve for me. Mr. Healey was gone for a few hours, leaving us to man the counter. I started flipping through a comic book, trying to shake the annoyance that was building within, when a body slowly closed in on my personal space.

  “So, I saw you on Saturday.”

  Was that a question? Not sure, so I kept it simple. “Uhh…”

  “What did you think?”

  That was easy. Without looking up at him, I answered, “I thought it was gross.”

  “Gross? Why is that?” He had positioned his elbow on the counter and was leaning in.

  I looked at him now. His face was perfectly fine. No bruises, no sign whatsoever of the fight he had been in. But there was a coldness in his eyes that screamed viciousness, and then I remembered it fully.

  “It was gross because it was bloody, cruel, and bar­baric.”

  He looked like he wanted to smile, pleased with the memory. Not backing off, he said, “You know, Sophie, everyone has something they like to do. That’s not a bad thing.”

  “It is when you thrive on hurting people.” I was flipping back and forth through pages I had already seen when he stopped my hand. “You know all about that, don’t you, Sophie?”

  I was annoyed now. “Know about what?

  “Hurting people.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  He patted me on my shoulder. “No worries. We all have secrets.” Then he winked and walked away.

  I felt the hours of rest in my body fade away as my nerves tensed all over again. I hated how my work environment had changed. It had been so perfect before. Now the tension, the games, the annoyances, the disruptions were all too much.

  I was still frustrated when the bell chimed again. My heart tensed as Wes entered, carrying a big bag of Thai food. Although I was ridiculously happy to see him, today it felt uncomfortable. He could sense it too.

  Walking directly over to the counter, he leaned over and whispered, “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I whispered back. “I’m just tired of working here, with Chase.”

  He stood up straight, as if getting it now. “What did he do?”

  Unfortunately, or fortunately, I don’t know which, Chase hadn’t done anything.

  “Nothing.” I sighed. “He’s just so annoying. I hate talking to that guy. He gives me the heebie-jeebies.”

  “What were you talking about?”

  “We were talking about hurting people.” Chase interrupted, returning to his spot on my side of the counter, very much near where he had been standing before.

  Wes didn’t respond. Instead, the silence prompted Chase to keep talking.

  “She thought it was cruel to beat up that guy on Saturday.” He looked at me. “Barbaric? That’s what you called it, right?” I didn’t reply. Then he looked at Wes. “What do you think?”

  Casually putting the dinner he had brought to me on the counter, he answered, “I think it’s not so barbaric as long as it’s an even fight.”

  Chase was about to respond when Wes cut him off. “Sophie, you want to take a break?”

  I hopped off the stool. “Love to.”

  Brushing my way past Mr. Wannabe Gladiator, I hurried around the counter. “Let’s go outside. I need some air. Danny!” I called into the aisles. “I’m going out front for a break.”

  Wes wrapped his arm around me, like a boyfriend might, but I recognized it as protective. As soon as we got outside, he turned me to face him. “I don’t like that guy.”

  “Uh, yeah. I’ve been trying to tell you that for two weeks now.”

  “Well, you have my attention now.”

  Although glad, I was curious as to what sparked his distaste. “What did you see?”

  Still leaning in very close to me and gazing seriously into my eyes, he said, “There’s
something about him that’s off. Hatred oozed out of his muscles. He wanted me gone. I think he wants you and not in a normal way.”

  I didn’t like the sound of that. “What does that mean?”

  He looked back into the store then led me farther away from the window. “He was acting territorial, competitive. Like he wanted to challenge me right then and there. I want you away from that store. We don’t need any more crazies, Sophie.”

  Okay, I had been thinking about how much I was beginning to dislike the bookstore, but he was acting way too hasty for my taste. “Wes, slow down. He’s annoying, yeah, but I can’t just quit.”

  “You said it yourself. You think he’s on something. He’s a loose cannon.”

  That was the first time I’d seen Wes ruffled and I wasn’t sure how to calm him down. I was glad to see Mr. Healey pull up. Once Wes saw him enter the store, he seemed to relax at the idea of me finishing my shift.

  “I don’t want to go back, but I can’t just quit because he’s annoying. Besides, this is my job. Not his. He needs to get lost.”

  “Don’t be trivial, Sophie. It’s not worth it.”

  I reached up and put my palms against his cheeks and drew him in for a kiss. He pulled back, but I kept my hold and pulled him in. It was tense at first but, as always, I was able to relax him. “See? We’re cool. Not going to let anyone annoy us.” I kissed him again, before he could protest. “I only have an hour to go, and you can pick me up.” Then I added, “Funnel cake? Please?”

  He looked at me warmly. “Okay, but I’ll be sitting out here until you get off.”

  Not worth the argue. “Fine,” I conceded. “But now I’m hungry. So I’m going to eat my dinner, and maybe I’ll see if Mr. Healey will let me off early.”

  I went back inside to find the bag missing from the counter. In the back, Danny and Chase were digging into my rice noodles. “What are you doing?”

  Chase spoke up as he was spooning chunks onto his plate. “Oh, Danny said you wouldn’t mind. He said you always share with everyone. It is a lot of food. And good too.”

  With compressed lips, I walked over and snatched my container from his hand. “It would be nice if you asked.”

  “Oh. My bad.” Chase smirked. “You looked a little busy out there in your liplock and all.”

  I wondered how quickly Wes would come in here and wipe that look off of his face if I told him Chase took my food. Danny interrupted my thoughts by chuckling and I darted him a nasty look. He coughed himself into silence, and my gaze met Chase’s again.

  I could see it now. Chase got off on ruffling people’s feathers. He obviously didn’t get a lot of attention as a child. Now he thrived off of making people uncomfortable so he could feel more empowered. It was an ego boost. Once I figured it out, I decided to bring him down a notch.

  I sat across from both of them and started eating. “So, Chase. Why were you the only fighter wearing a shirt?” The question took him by surprise. “I mean, there were a lot of hot, shirtless guys there, and yet you were covered up. What? No physique?”

  He looked at me as if assessing my motivation. Then he smirked. “I don’t need to show off my goods.”

  He started laughing and Danny followed suit.

  “Is that why your shirt was unbuttoned? Because you didn’t have to show off your goods? Or did you not want to show off your arms?”

  His smile disappeared. He started moving his tongue around the inside of his cheek then picking his molars with his tongue, clearly agitated. I don’t know what got into me, but I liked seeing him ruffled for a change. He was always the one bothering others and getting a kick out of it. It was time for him to get a taste of his own medicine. He moved his tongue to lick his lips, still watching me closely.

  “Maybe you have a secret under there that you don’t want the other fighters to know about?” I suggested.

  It was twisted. My little attempt at a mind game. Why am I doing this anyway? I didn’t thrive off bringing people down. Why was I so inclined to bring Chase down? It didn’t really feel right, but it didn’t feel all that wrong either. Until he answered, and then it felt eerie.

  Leaning forward, he replied in a near whisper, “Now, Sophie, secrets aren’t so bad. Everyone has them. Including you. Especially you.” He started smiling. He was beyond irritating.

  I looked at him with my eyebrows scrunched together, but didn’t interrupt my chewing. “You don’t know anything about me.”

  He chuckled. “I know you’re the girl in that article. You’re the girl whose boyfriend killed that guy.”

  I dropped my fork. “Oh, please.” I looked at Danny and stood up. “You know, Danny. You really should find better friends. Ones who have a life and little bit of class.”

  I grabbed my trash and tossed it as soon as I reached the door. As I suspected, Mr. Healey let me off early and Wes was waiting.

  I plopped into his car, trying to contain my irritation. “That guy gives me the creeps. Why is he so annoying? He purposely tries to irritate people.” I was talking more to myself, but I wanted Wes to hear. I wanted him to chime in, but he didn’t. He just listened and drove. “Something has to give. I don’t need to work there if it’s not fun anymore.”

  The truth was, I was starting to doubt myself. Maybe it was me. I’d never liked hanging out with people. Getting a job at Healey’s was perfect. It was small. Dawn and Danny were great, and Mr. Healey and Ms. Mary stayed out of the way.

  Ever since Chase came, he was always in someone’s face. Maybe I was out of line to be so annoyed. He didn’t seem to bother anyone else. Well, actually, he did. He bothered Wes too. And Wes could read people well. Wes knew when someone wasn’t right. In a way, it made me feel better to know it wasn’t just me, but at the same time, it put me on edge. I would have to decide what to do about the store.

  Chapter 11

  PARTY NUMBER TWO

  Wes took me to get funnel cake, like I had asked, except this time we picked it up and took it to the overlook. Now that he had the Range Rover, it made the overlook that much better. He backed in and opened the tailgate. That way we were able to raise the hatch and lie in the back. He had huge down blankets back there and we could get comfortable and look out over the hills and up at the stars.

  The funnel cake was particularly good that evening because he fed it to me. I used my hand as an excuse again. Neither one of us mentioned the store. Instead, we laughed while we covered our lips with powdered sugar.

  “You know,” I started, “it’s your turn to pick our next getaway.”

  He leaned back on the blanket with his arm behind his head. “You’re right.”

  “So what’s it going to be?” I lay back too.

  “I don’t know yet. Let me think about it. I want it to be somewhere good. And somewhere far away from here.”

  Chase must have really irritated him. Suddenly, I had visions of the white horse again.

  “Dawn says they sell white horses down at Claggett Farms.”

  He laughed.

  “I’m serious.” I paused. “Okay, well not about the horse. But getting away. I’d leave, you know.”

  He pulled me in so I was lying on his chest. I could still see the stars. “What about your mom?”

  I thought for a few minutes. I’d miss her and she would miss me like crazy, but she had Tom now. And they were happy. He’d take care of her.

  “It’s not like I’d never talk to her again. Or see her. I just want to be somewhere with you. Just us. No worries. Somewhere remote.” I felt him exhale a small chuckle, but he was quiet. “What are you thinking about?” I asked.

  “Ah, I’m just thinking about it. Where I’d take you. What we’d do. How happy that would make me.”

  I lifted my head to tell him to take us away then, but his phone rang. I hate when his phone rings, because it usually means he has to leave. Or worse, that one of his labs was broken into again. I wondered if we’d ever be able to stop worrying about that. Could we go to a place where
we were surrounded by nothing? No phones. No connection to the outside world. Just me and him, together, like fate meant us to be. It sounded clichéd and selfish, but I didn’t care. It’s what I wanted. And the more time that went by, the more I realized it was what I deserved. I’d already lived two short lives without getting to experience a lifetime of love.

  And I wanted that with him. Is that so bad?

  He pulled the phone out of his pocket and the backlight lit up the space around us. He glanced at the number, made a confused face, and answered. Immediately, I heard a bubbly female voice. A few things went through my brain, like, What the…? Who in the…? Wait a…! Finally, I propped myself up on my elbow.

  He spoke softly. “Oh, I see. Um. I might. I’m not sure. I’ll see, but if I can’t, I’ll see you Monday for sure. All right, I’ll try. Bye.”

  He put his phone in his pocket while I watched and waited.

  “What were we talking about?” he asked.

  “We were talking about who was on the phone.”

  He looked up. “Oh, that?”

  “Don’t be cute. Yes, that.”

  “That was Brandie.”

  “Brandie?”

  He moved to pull me to his chest. I held back.

  “Yes, Steve’s girlfriend.”

  An irritated feeling crept through my body, tickling every nerve. I think it was jealousy. I shook off the thought. “Who’s Steve?”

  Acting like it was no big deal, he answered, “My lab partner.”

  “So why is Steve’s girlfriend calling you?”

  “Are you jealous?”

  No shame whatsoever. “Should I be?”

  He just looked at me and cocked his head to the side without answering. I was left to consider my insecurities. So maybe I was having a moment. He couldn’t have made it more clear to me that I was the only person in the world that he wanted, and I started to feel guilty for my insecurity, but not enough to quit.

  “Just tell me why she’s calling you?”

  He smiled a little. “She was inviting me to a surprise party for Steve tomorrow. It’s his birthday.”

  That’s all? “Okay.” I lay back down, getting relaxed again, and then I popped right back up. “Wait a minute. Your lab partner’s girlfriend, as in that was Blondie? Brandie is Blondie? Blondie is Brandie?”