no longer our pasts, and last names were forbidden. We couldn’t use them, say them, or even think them.
So to them I was Riley, because that’s how we were introduced when we got our assignment, but to everyone in Cowtown I was Raven.
Raven Hastings.
Along with my fake name, I had a whole fake personality to put on, and I sent Holly a dazzling smile I rarely used. “Hey! Yes! You know me.”
Raven Hastings was enthusiastic. She was happy most days, with a bright and cheery disposition. She enjoyed inspirational quotes, and she liked to dress beach casual, in Canada. When Raven went out with Blade, they complemented each other. She was boho chic, and he was blissful hippie.
Today I (or Raven) had dressed in a bohemian light pink skirt that fell to my feet with a slightly see-through white T-shirt knotted over my stomach. Thank God it was summer because I had committed to this look. Right now I was able to pull off sandals with straps running up my legs like ballet slippers.
I stuck my hip out and propped my hand there, striking a pose. “I have a date next weekend, and I have to look good.”
Holly was the Sun-n-Fun’s main evening worker, and she was an eternal romantic. This wasn’t my first time here, and I’d noted she had a stack of at least three new books next to the till every time I came in for a tan. Holly also knew a few of the girls from the nursing home—another way to cement my excuse for next weekend. I knew one of those friends always wanted to trade for the closest holiday or big event, and the next one coming up was the Stampede.
Holly’s eyes lit up, and she asked me all about my date.
I made it a weekend excursion.
• • •
Annie didn’t waste any time.
Word had traveled fast to my coworker from Holly at the tanning salon the night before. She plopped down at my table during my first break at the nursing home where I worked as a nursing aide.
“Heard you need next weekend off?”
I smiled. “You wanted to go Stampeding?”
She didn’t even blink, only leaned forward. “I want that whole weekend off.”
“Done…if you take my Friday shift too.”
Annie had started to rise, but now paused and hissed. “Are you serious?”
In some nursing homes, a full weekend was Friday through Sunday, but not this nursing home. If we traded a weekend with someone, it was just Saturday and Sunday. So I had to make it clear I wanted that Friday off too.
But I knew Annie. She loved partying, and Stampeding was a huge party. Ergo my sunny Raven disposition.
I couldn’t mess around. “Take it or leave it…”
She growled under her breath, but nodded. “Fine. I’ll write up the slips to put in for the trade.”
And I was now free for whoever we were helping next weekend.
Bolstering a bright smile, I bounced in my seat. “Great! Thanks! I can’t wait for my date now.” And because Raven loved inspiring quotes, I added, “Be fearless. Be beautiful.”
Annie’s eyes flicked upward before she pushed away from the table. “Yeah, okay.”
“Weirdo,” she breathed as she left.
But Raven loved all, even meanies.
With Riley that girl might’ve been introduced to a door, but I was Raven today.
“Hey, Rave girl. Bee is taking her clothes off.”
I checked the time. I had five minutes left.
“Okay. I’ll head up in three.”
Bee loved being naked, but she had dementia.
“By the elevators,” he added.
And I was up and leaving. Bee had been in bed when I left for break.
CHAPTER FIVE
I called Blade as I was leaving work.
I’d parked close to the staff door, so I was just getting in when he picked up.
“You get off?” he asked.
Two retorts came to mind.
Raven’s was, “Embrace your orgasm.”
Mine was, “Last night. Thank you for your concern.”
But Annie and another girl who worked on our floor were walking by, and I still hadn’t closed my car door, so I went with Raven’s comeback.
Blade snorted as the girls moved past my car, rounding my trunk, and I reached for my door.
“I’ll take that as an affirmative, and I’ll start making the arrangements.”
I shut the door and replied, “Roger that. I’m going to the gym.” So they shouldn’t expect me for two more hours.
“Hey. Can you grab something from The Chopped Leaf on the way home?”
I heard Carol yell in the background, “And those chocolate-flavored Pringles.”
“Ew. No.” He immediately shut her down.
I laughed into the phone. “I’ll see what I can do.