to make sure you weren’t being murdered by some big, scary biker I got three text messages and a photo of his motorcycle parked outside your place.”
“I should’ve guessed that, but sometimes I like to pretend that I have an independent, adult existence.”
Carrie rolled her eyes. “You love us and you know it. Now, tell me everything. Was he good in the sack? Have you told him to fuck off for lying to you? I’m really torn here . . . On the one hand I hate him with the fiery passion of a thousand suns for what he did, but on the other you got laid. Tough call.”
“Welcome to my world,” I muttered, taking a quick glance to be sure Randi was still gone. “So here’s the scoop. He showed up last night and we had sex and it was incredible. I’m still not quite sure how that happened.”
“Do you regret it?”
“Yes and no,” I admitted. “I mean, yes, in that I’m sure it was a mistake and he’s a horrible person. But it felt really good. He was good. As in, the guy has crazy skills when it comes to getting a woman off. Way better than Brandon ever was.”
“Better than Jamie?” she asked, leaning forward and licking her lips.
“You’re a pervert,” I said.
“And? Answer the question.”
“Yes, he was better than Jamie. Best I’ve ever had, actually. Are you happy?”
“Uh-huh,” she said, smiling dreamily. “I’m assuming you threw his ass out and then evicted him, right? Doesn’t matter how good he is in bed, the man’s a liar and a criminal.”
“Do you mind if I run home for lunch?” Randi asked, walking back into the kitchen. She was looking down at her phone, frowning.
“Yeah, everything okay?”
“Um, yes,” she muttered. “Actually, no. That big wildfire to the west has been growing and they’ve put Chelan on evacuation alert. My grandparents have a place in the hills, and the fire’s gotten close enough that Mom’s driving over and helping them pack some stuff up, bring them back home. She wants me to check on the kids.”
“Do you want the rest of the day off?” I asked, and she winced.
“I need the money,” she admitted. “We got a little behind on rent, and . . . Well, you know how it goes.”
Yeah, I did. Her mom had probably lost a bundle at the casino again. Useless bitch.
“You can have the afternoon off, paid,” I said, knowing it was stupid because it wasn’t like a few hours of vacation pay would make a difference in that situation. She’d been a hard worker, though, and really flexible when I needed her. That deserved some kind of reward. And the fire situation was definitely serious—the smoke choking the air was getting worse every day.
“Really?” she asked, eyes widening. “Thanks, Tinker. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem,” I replied, watching as she grabbed her purse and bolted for the door, texting frantically.
“That was nice,” Carrie commented.
“I’m a nice person.”
“Really? Cause I heard you’re a dirty . . .”
“You need to get a life.”
“I know,” she said, sighing. “It’s kind of pathetic. How did I get so old?”
“I hear nothing ages a woman like being evil.” Finishing the salt, I brushed off my hands and nodded toward the main room. “You ready to eat?”
Carrie held up the bag holding our customary sandwiches.
“Always. You know how much I love food.”
We sat down at one of the tables, surrounded by my mother’s things. Sooner or later I’d have to pack everything up, figure out what to do with it. Maybe I could auction it off and use the money to help pay for my new kitchen.
Assuming I wanted a new kitchen. Was I really planning to stay in Hallies Falls? Some days more than others, but Dad definitely didn’t want to leave. Ugh.
“So you didn’t answer my question,” Carrie said, popping the top open on a Diet Coke. “Did you kick his ass out the door? The correct answer here is ‘yes,’ just in case you had any questions. I don’t care how good he is in the sack, the man is scum.”
“No, Brandon’s scum,” I said, surprising myself. “I’m not saying Gage is a Boy Scout, but Brandon’s a thousand times worse.”
Carrie stared at me, and for once she didn’t have anything to say.
Of course, being Carrie, she recovered fast.
“I don’t disagree . . .” she said. “Obviously Brandon is a piece of shit, no question. But that doesn’t mean Gage is a good idea. You can’t trust