It was bad enough that I had to leave all the legwork to the detective, now I couldn't even drive. When Ava parked the car at my house, Barrett was waiting for us on the front porch. “Tyler! Good to have you back man.”
“We’ve got all the pie out for you,” my sister said. “Ava’s pecan was magical, the pumpkin was great, and the cherry cobbler smells amazing but I’m too full to eat it. And mom snuck a key lime pie over here for Ava. She might let you have a piece now that you’re all scuffed up.”
My mom came up and put her hands on my cheek. “Hey honey, are you feeling okay? Do you need to lie down? Everyone was so excited that you’re coming back they planned board games and desserts.”
Everyone stared at me expectantly. One glance into the living area showed the stack of board games they had dragged out.
I felt like shit. I was not going to be playing any games. And Hell, I hated disappointing my family and my friends. But I had to get them out. Now. It wasn’t smart for all of us to be in one place.
“I’m sorry everyone. I did make an arrest today. But I’m afraid the conflict may not be over. For your own safety, I need you to go home.”
A collective groan rose up.
“Believe me, I'd rather be here with all of you stuffing myself, but it's not a good idea.”
“We’re happy to get out of your space for a while, but we all had a few after dinner drinks,” my mother said.
Abigail piped up too. “I don’t think any of us are fit to drive except for the fire chief.”
Since he had his kid with him, I wanted him out now. “Where is Joe?”
“They just left,” Barrett said.
“Good I’m glad.”
“Barrett, would you mind staying with my mom and sister tonight?” I had police crawling all over town, but no one had been able to find Carl yet. I had a feeling he was going to try and come after Ava tonight. I didn’t need any extra people to protect. Come to think of it, it would be best if Ava went with Barrett too.
“Not a problem, but I do have the overnight shift tonight at the station,” Barrett said.
“I've already called and gotten some backup from Oak Lake Police Department.”
He nodded. “Then we’re all set.”
In the background, I heard my sister giggling. “Ava could you run me by my house?”
“No,” I said. “That's not a good idea.”
“It’ll be fine,” I heard her say. I wanted to argue, but the drugs were slowing down every cell in my body. I fucking hated the feeling of being out of control.
“Ava. I want you to stay with Barrett too.”
She kissed my cheek. “No. He has two people to watch out for, and I am not going to leave you.”
My knees went weak, and I swayed. Hoping no one saw, I put my hand on the wall to steady myself. “I don’t want you here. I want you safe.”
“Too bad.” She took my arm, and guided me to the couch, forcing me to sit down. “I am not going anywhere.”
She got up. She had her car keys in her hand. Everything seemed very far away. “Ava. Please. Stay with Barrett. I can’t lose you. I love you.”
I couldn't keep my eyes open any more.
She pressed her lips against my mouth, but she didn't say the words back to me.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ava
Oh hell no. Tyler had just told me he loved me. But he was on powerful narcotics. So did it even count?
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, his eyes had closed. I’d tried to shake him back awake, so I could tell him that I loved him too, but he was sound asleep.
Just as we’d arrived home from the ER, my burner phone had rung. It was Jenny again.
I was now convinced that it was Jenny I saw in the store a few weeks ago. I didn't know how she got down here, I don't know if she rode with Christopher, or if she followed him. All I knew was that I had to find her. I needed to get her away from those criminals before she was either arrested or killed. If Christopher was here I had no doubt that Carl was too.
Now would be the perfect time to tell Tyler the truth about Jenny contacting me. But I'd lost the opportunity, he was passed