2. Lexi

CHAPTER 2

Lexi

I ’m so hungry. It’s been days since I had the last bite to eat that I had in my car. I left the hotel that I stayed in briefly when I got to town. I could only afford a couple of days or I wouldn’t have had any money left at all.

I took my last couple of bucks and went to the local diner to order the biggest burger and milkshake on the menu. The hamburger was juicy as all get-out and the strawberry shake was thick and creamy and bursting with strawberries. I’d never tasted something that good.

But that was days ago and my stomach is cramping, my whole body aching with hunger and the need for sleep. I’ve been sleeping in my car but every little noise makes me wake up, terrified that someone’s trying to break in and steal it. Trying to take the last thing I have of value.

The old station wagon of my parents. It’s twenty years old and shouldn’t be anywhere near snow on its bald tires but it’s the last piece of them that I have. The other, newer car is gone.

My heart aches and I close my eyes, the pain in my belly secondary to the pain in my heart.

They’re gone. Killed by a drunk driver while I was away at college. Life sucks. I hate the whole fucking world right now and everything in it.

“Hey,” a voice says softly. “You look like you need this more than me.”

A teenage girl hands me a bag with a hamburger in it and when I shake my head and push the bag back to her, she sighs and shoves it right back.

“Don’t fuss. I can get another. Please. Take it. My stepmother, Daffy wouldn’t like me letting another person go hungry. And you are, aren’t you?”

I push down my pride and nod my head. “Yeah, thought so. Just…”. She shoves the greasy little bag at me and sighs. “Take it, please.”

I can’t talk because if I do I’m going to start drooling because that burger smells amazing. Pride is a terrible thing and it drove me away from the school and my ex-friends. People who might have cared that I was wallowing, struggling in my grief and couldn’t extricate myself from those bad feelings.

So I just nodded my head and whispered, “Thank you,” softly, scurrying away.

She doesn’t holler at me or run after me, demanding a thank you or anything else in return. But when I turn back she’s watching me, a sad look on her face.

I dart back to my car where it’s hidden in a public parking spot and close and lock my door, wishing I could hide in here forever.

I moan when I open the bag and smell the warm sandwich. I suck in a breath and growl like a fucking animal. Hungry sucks. The first bite makes my belly clench, nausea hitting me. I’m so hungry that I can’t even think.

I chew and swallow that first bite and then take another, barely pausing to swallow before the next one. Each bite goes down faster than the last and I moan when I finish the last bite.

So good. I don’t know whether I’m prejudiced or not, but I swear that’s the best burger I ever had. Juicy and perfectly-cooked. When I reach in the bag to get a napkin, I almost faint when I see the little box of fries in the bottom of the little bag.

“Oh my god!” I whisper, tears spurting to my eyes. I love french fries and this food feels like a gift from the heavens. I shovel them in my mouth, not even caring that they’re colder than I usually have. Hell, I wouldn’t care if they’d been out for an hour. I’d probably still eat them. I’m that hungry.

My phone rings and I jump. It’s been so long since I heard it ring and I have to scramble to pick it up. I hang out at the library every day and charge it there. Technically, I don’t think you’re supposed to do that. Charge your phone, I mean. But I’m desperate and it’s the only safety net I’ve got in this town. Actually, anywhere.

I crumple up the bag and open my door to put it in the trash can up on the corner. Then I hop back in and yawn, leaning my head back against the head rest. I yawn hugely and settle back, my whole body finally relaxing. Even with the cold outside, I feel warm and full for the first time in so long. It feels freaking amazing!

And then my phone rings again and I pick it up. I don’t recognize the number, just like before so I ignore it again. And then it stops. I set my phone down and sigh and then groan when my phone rings again.

“H-hello?”

“Hi. You don’t know me but I saw your wish on the tree and your number and I need someone. Right away. At my bar.”

“Ummm. I’ve never worked in a bar before. I’m kind of an accountant.” Kind of. Even though I never finished my classes because my parents died. I was only a few credits shy of my degree.

“That’s amazing! I need one of those too. Could you come by Fire on the Mountain today? That’s my bar.”

“Sure. Where is it?” As he finishes giving me directions, I mentally take notes. I’m very good at remembering things. I don’t need to write it down.

“I’ll be right there,” I say and then I groan and look down at my old jeans and shirt. “I’m sorry. Maybe we should do this another day. I’ve been cleaning and I-I’m kind of a mess.”

I’m lying to my future boss. I’m such an idiot. Why can’t I just tell him the truth. Tell anyone the truth.

“Just come as you are. I don’t care. We don’t stand on ceremony here on the mountain.”

I’m nodding my head even as I’m screaming inside. I can’t do this! I look in the rearview mirror and at least my pale cheeks are pink from good food. My eyes are tired and there are dark shadows under them but hopefully he’ll just think I’m stressed about finding a job. My blue eyes are wary and my hair is a tangled freaking mess so I pull out my hairbrush and tug out the stretched-out ponytail holder and drop it down to the floor. I brush out my long curls and sigh when I see that they’re just as tangled now as when I took them down. Long, slow strokes and they finally shine with auburn highlights that even the dark of the car can’t hide.

I take one more look at my pale, haunted features and hope this isn’t a mistake.

I need this job more than I’ve ever needed anything in my life. This has to work. This one interview could change my whole life.

I push the creaking car door open and then slam it closed, refusing to look down at myself.

If I do, I know there’s no way in hell I’ll go on this interview.

I put my head down and scurry away, checking the buildings and knowing that this is it. My last chance to stay here in Wildwood.