Chapter One

"Bear spray should be used with all caution unless it"s dark, then you just spray until the screaming stops. After all, bears get intimidated by noise, right?"—Hazel Titus

August

Present Day

There were a lot of cars parked in the Titus's driveway, an obscene number, which just seemed strange, even for them. They hosted events during the holidays, but it was June, and in all the years I'd lived in our house helping take care of my mom while my dad traveled for business, I'd never once seen an event that big.

"Hmmmm." I kept sipping my coffee and staring out the window.

"Stalking?" My mom came up behind me. "Again?"

"Yes, because only the good stalkers are careful to watch in plain sight. Throws the victims off. I saw it on Dateline once. I would have graduated at the top of my class in stalker school. Ah, damn it. Missed opportunities."

She patted me softly on the shoulder. It was a weak pat, just like it always was since her stroke four years ago—right when I was supposed to be going to college after taking a year off. Right when my life was supposed to begin…

Not that I hated my life, I was just a bit bored. But I felt like I couldn't complain because at least I didn't have to give up working altogether like my mom did. She'd started our companies. Now? She could read, go for some walks, nap, and maybe binge-watch Yellowstone. Her heart was weak, the left side of her face was still slack, and she tired easily—even with only being in her late fifties.

I sighed and looked away. "Mom, let me grab you a blanket." I reached for her favorite quilt and was ready to settle her back onto the couch when I heard the fireworks.

I turned around and looked out the window.

Mom grabbed my arm and held onto it. "They must be celebrating something huge."

"Yeah." I patted her hand and pulled her close. "Must be incredible."

I kept in the small amount of jealousy I had that Hazel could live her life while I was stuck with mine. I was happy, and yes, I would love my mom until the very end, but it didn't make it any easier when I saw a party next door and a spoiled brat who had no idea how nice she had it.

I think I'd forever call it a flicker in the matrix. Something that made you pause.

A flicker—and more flickers—of her blond hair as she hugged her dad like she'd just cured cancer or something.

Her smile was huge.

She was wearing black, though.

And then I noticed that everyone was.

Frowning, I dropped my mom's hand. "Be right back."

She sat in her chair and nodded as if she knew my thoughts better than I did. I walked outside and next door. Right into that party.

Amidst the loudness and laughter, I realized too late...

It wasn't a party.

It was a funeral.