27. Kali

CHAPTER 27

Kali

I turn right instead of left when I hit the freeway.

There’s no plan, just questions leading me in the wrong direction.

A small sign, one that you’d miss if you blinked, reads Blackburn 10 miles. Ten miles to the city that took everything from me. I was supposed to see this city in my rearview mirror, never to visit again, as I waved around four million dollars. But here I am, being pulled in, searching for answers. How could I live my entire life believing a drunk driver killed my parents and no one ever told me the truth?

Because he’s wrong.

An hour passes, giving me time to calm down. But as soon as I hit Main Street, the hairs on my arms stand tall as I slow. The August heat, keeping everyone inside, makes it look as deserted as the place I just left. Even the town gossip crew’s bench outside Jack’s shop is empty, taking their daily meetups inside in the air conditioning. I come to a complete stop at the spot where I was taken. Given some kind of drug and tossed in the car like trash. I lean against the headrest, closing my eyes, letting my thoughts take me back to that night.

It was darker than normal. Didn’t even notice the car parked on the side of the road. Where I’m parked right now. I fight the haze in my memories. I must’ve seen the car. How did I pass it without glancing at it, though? I would’ve walked by it. Right before someone slid out of the shadows.

Right before my world went black.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

A scream slips out of my lips as I’m yanked to the present. A pair of concerned brown eyes meet mine out the driver’s side window. I hold a finger up, and he stands up, giving me a moment to catch my breath and open the door. The second my feet touch the ground, Henry pulls me into his chest.

“Kali! I didn’t think I’d ever see you again. Everyone has been a mess since you…” His words trail off as his arms tighten around my chest, making it difficult to move my arms. Henry’s a big teddy bear.

“Henry, I’m fine. But you’re going to pop me like a balloon if you don’t let me go.” He pulls in a deep inhale and blows it out before releasing me. As our eyes meet, Henry blinks back tears, and I squeeze his bicep.

“Why are you right here?” He points to the ground where we stand. “This is where…” He shakes off the rest of the words as he looks up at the sky, fighting with his emotions.

“I was just trying to remember more about that night. Maybe if I was right here, something would come to me.”

His brows shoot up. “And? Anything?”

I sigh. “No. At least not since you scared the shit out of me.”

“Sorry.” He shrugs unapologetically. “I saw a strange car pull up on the security monitor and figured I’d check it out.”

“Security monitor?” That’s new.

He nods. “They’re all over town now. Between the Rangers being here forever, questioning everyone, and the fact they haven’t caught the guy, people are scared.”

Who could blame them?

Thanks to the Texas humidity, I wipe a bead of sweat off my forehead. “Can we go inside? It’s a little warm out here.” I lock the door and then follow him to the front of the store and then inside. The black-and-white monitor behind the register catches my eye. Sure enough, my car sits right in the middle of the screen.

“If only you would’ve let me walk you home.” I jerk my head away from the screen to look at him. I’ve walked home by myself every Friday night for years. I never accepted his offer to walk me home because I never wanted to lead him on. Regardless, if someone wanted me, they could’ve found another moment in my monotonous life to take me. “Dammit, I should’ve kept you safe, Kali.” The anger in his tone surprises me.

“Henry, this isn’t your fault.”

“I would do anything to keep you safe. Stay with me.” Excuse me, what? “Don’t look at me like that. You might be in danger,” he growls, throwing his hands up. “They haven’t caught the guy.”

I shake my head. “I can’t live in fear my whole life. It’s been three months already. Who knows if they’ll ever catch him?” His jaw tightens. “I need to start living. Put this all behind me. I’ve enrolled in college and start at the end of the month,” I say in excitement. I want him to be happy for me. Despite his pining hopes we would one day be together, we’ve always been friends. Ever since we were five.

He rolls his eyes in resignation and walks behind the counter. The half door snaps shut behind him, and we stare at each other in silence for a few awkward beats. “I wish you would’ve never won the lottery.”

My spine straightens, and I cross my arms. There is no way he found that out on his own. My attorney guaranteed it. “Who told you?”

“Pearl was talking to me one day, and it slipped. She was upset and made me swear to not tell anyone. But I already had my suspicions after Hobie came in and asked if you bought a lottery ticket.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I lied. You know I hate that fucker, and I thought it was weird that he was asking. But then I started thinking about it and it made sense. You were suddenly moving, and you were avoiding me.”

“I’m sorry. I wanted to say goodbye, but I was afraid of people finding out. But why would you say you wish I hadn’t won? So I would’ve been stuck here the rest of my life?”

“No, Kali. Obviously, you getting kidnapped has something to do with that money. I don’t know how, but it’s a little too convenient to happen right after you win millions. I knew this town couldn’t keep you. You deserved more than this town ever gave you. Even though I wished that I was your more, I’m not stupid.”

“Henry, I’ve always lo?—”

“Don’t,” he snaps, leaning forward on the counter. “Don’t tell me you love me, just not like that . You’ll break my heart.” His lips quirk up, and I release the tension in my shoulders, realizing he’s kidding. “If you ever change your mind, you know where I’ll be.” He winks. And just like that, we’re back to our usual banter.

I grab a pen off the counter and a random receipt beside it. “If you’re ever in Austin, call me.” I write down my number. “I finally got a phone. This is my number.”

He takes it and adds it to his phone’s contacts. “Good luck, Special K.”

I laugh at the childhood nickname as I wave and walk out the door.

Dozens of shoes have been worn down to holes walking these streets, and I’ve never once felt unsafe. Until now. I hate this town. Looking at my life, I’m certain it hates me, too.

With a quick glance in both directions to look for cars, I cross the street and head toward the Wallflower Diner. It’s a heavy lunch crowd today. Not one empty parking spot in front of it. The door’s bell jingles as I enter. Multiple gasps fill the air, and all heads turn toward me.

“Mommy, isn’t that the girl who?—”

“Shh!” a mother snaps, holding her hand over the little girl’s mouth.

I’m not sure if I should laugh or cry. If I had a tagline for my life, that would be it.

Isn’t that the girl who lost her parents?

Isn’t that the girl who the mayor’s fostering?

Isn’t that the girl who lives with those mean people on the hill?

Isn’t that the girl who was buried alive?

Yep, that’s me. I am that girl.

“Well, thank the Lord, she’s come back to us!” I smile at the crazy redhead making a beeline to me. “Y’all stop gawking!” Pearl barks at everyone staring. One by one, heads turn away, and a rolling thunder of quiet voices enfolds around me.

Holding my arms out to hug Pearl, I’m instead snapped with a hand towel. “Hey!” I say, grabbing the towel out of her hands so she’ll stop hitting me. “Sheesh! What is that for?”

“I’ve been worried sick to death about you. You could’ve at least called and told me you were okay.” Freckled arms wrap around me. Her musky perfume invades my nostrils, and I wonder why she’s wearing it. She never wears perfume at work.

I hold on to her tight. “I’m sorry. It’s taken me a little time to deal with what happened.”

“Shh. I was joshing. You don’t owe me an explanation. I’m just as happy as a goat jumping around a playground that you’re here.”

I can’t help but laugh. Typical goofy Pearl. “I’m happy to see you, too.”

“Come.” She pulls me to the counter and guides me into the only barstool open. “Guess what kind of pie we’ve got?”

“Cherry?”

She nods, and my mind drifts to Paxton. I stare at the booth he sat in. Pearl would die if she found out that I was dating Mr. Pie Guy. Dated . Because as of right now, we are not together.

“Yours?” It has to be. The pie always sells out by now.

She wrinkles her nose. “Girl, I would give you anything right now. I’m just so excited,” she squeals as she walks through the swinging doors, screaming at everyone in the kitchen that I’m here.

“A Mustang? Really?” I spin in my chair to the right at the familiar, deep voice and watch Chip slide next to me. He adjusts his gun belt so it’s not hitting the side of the chair.

I flash a wide smile, happy he’s not bringing up the elephant in the room. “What should I have bought instead?”

He hums and taps his finger against his lip. “A Ford F150 truck.”

“Is that your joke of the day?” That makes him laugh.

“It’s great to hear your laugh, dear.” His voice turns serious. That didn’t take long. But that’s why I’m here. To ask questions. Not to shoot the shit. The faster I leave this town, the better.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I have questions. God, I have so many questions. But first, about the guy in the blue Jeep.”

“You probably know more than I do,” he deadpans with a lift of a brow.

“Do you know he’s a cop?”

He nods.

“Do you know he’s the one who found me?”

Again, he nods.

“Do you think he might have…done it?” I croak, hating how it sounds out loud.

He runs his hand up his other arm and shrugs. “I hate to think it’s one of us. But I can’t ignore the evidence.”

“He says he didn’t do it.”

He gives me a sideways glance. “Don’t they all?”

My mouth opens to defend him, but I can’t form the words.

“Here you go, honeybun. Cherry pie and vanilla ice cream,” Pearl cheers, interrupting us and setting a plate in front of me with a rolled-up napkin on the side. I take a large spoonful, getting a little ice cream with the pie, and shove it in my mouth. The tart cherries mixed with the sweet vanilla ice cream make me hum.

For the next half hour, I tell them about college and the classes I’m taking. How I’m excited to live on campus and start my communication degree. Between Chip’s lit-up expressions and Pearl’s cheering, I put aside my doubts and questions and enjoy the two people who have been like family to me.

“So, you find any cute boys yet?” Pearl says, wagging her brows.

Shaking my head, I reply, “That’s the last thing I’m looking for right now.”

Had I seen her yesterday, I would’ve told her about Paxton. How everything was going right in my life. I would’ve told her all about his ranch house and Riggs and how he makes my heart beat faster every time I see him.

But that was yesterday.

Her brows furrow as she puckers her red lips. “Honey, you should always be open to love.” With her aroma, she’s open for husband number five. She picks up a coffee pot and flitters away.

I turn to Chip, placing my spoon down on my empty plate. “You know about my parents’ accident, right?” He didn’t live here when it happened, but I have no doubt he knows all about it. His smile drops as he nods.

“Was my dad drunk? Was the accident his fault?”

Did my dad kill Paxton’s brother? And my mom? My stomach clenches at the awful notion.

Chip lowers his coffee cup. “I don’t know all the details. What were you told?”

“That’s just it. I can’t remember if I was told or if I just assumed. I was only eight. But all my life, I’ve thought the other guy was the reason for the accident.”

“I can find out for you. If that’s what you want, but there are some things better left buried.” His eyes widen to saucers as soon as the words leave his mouth. “Shit. Talk about sticking my foot in my mouth. Sorry, kid.”

I lay my head on his shoulder and sigh. “No worries.”

We sit there, quiet for a few moments.

“I heard about the money,” he murmurs, and I snap up. “I hope that when your life settles, you’ll make the best of it.”

Pearl walks back up to us, and I narrow my eyes.

“Lady, you have some loose lips.”

She roars, laughing. “Hon, these lips have been married four times. They’re looser than a sail flapping in the wind.”

I try not to laugh. Those lips weren’t the ones I was referring to. “You know what I mean,” I say, half laughing, half trying to be serious. “How many people did you tell about the money?”

She looks at Chip and then back at me. “I’m sorry. I was so worried about you it might’ve slipped out a couple of times.”

“A couple?”

“I swear. Just Chip and Henry.” She winces at Henry’s name.

“I already heard.” I nod. “I saw him before I came here.”

“I promise, that’s it.” She holds up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

“Pearl, put those fingers down. You wouldn’t know honor if it hit you upside the head,” Chip howls.

She swats him with a towel, laughing. “You be quiet.”

I lift a brow, watching them tease each other. Something’s different between the two of them. They’re flirty .

“You miss this,” she says, filling up Chip’s coffee mug.

He winks at her. She blushes and my emotions go wild. I love this. It’s like Mom and Dad are getting together.

“I do. I’ll come back and see y’all.” I’d say I’ll come back for the wedding, but I don’t want to jinx it.

She waves me off. “Don’t you dare come back to this dump. We’ll come and visit you in the city. Won’t we, Chip?”

He grumbles something about hating big cities, making us chuckle.

My eyes scan the packed diner. These are people I’ve known my whole life—workers from the nearby warehouses, stay at home moms with their children—some I went to school with, neighboring shop owners, and the local church choir group. I’ve been gone three months, and I haven’t thought of them once. The people that are important to me are the three I already talked to. Pearl’s right, I don’t need to come back here. This might be my home, but my heart isn’t here.

I need to find a place for my heart to call home.