Page 70 of Undone

King and I explore Main Street all morning and well into the afternoon, popping into shop after shop. Everyone’s so friendly, introducing themselves, asking about our travel plans, where we’re from. After several hours, I feel like we’ve met everyone in town.

Everyone but Lacey.

“I’m beat. Tired of talking to people, and we know nothing more about Lacey than we did this morning.”

I check my watch. It’s almost two p.m.

“Let’s have a snack and then head over to the school. The website said dismissal’s at two thirty.”

We walk hand in hand back to the truck, then sit with the windows rolled down and enjoy our makeshift lunch. I devour a bag of chips and an apple, and King eats the jerky before rolling out of the parking spot and heading toward the school.

He slows as we turn off Main Street, heading into a residential area. Bright-yellow school-zone signs alert us to the presence of young pedestrians, and I expect to see a bus or two, a carline of SUVs and minivans winding down the street.

But the street near the school is practically empty.

“Huh. I swore it was two thirty. I hope we didn’t miss it.” I tap into my phone, scrolling down and double-checking the time.

“Shit.”

King points to the bulletin board in front of the building.

Enjoy Your Spring Break!

“School’s out. Lacey might not even be in town.” He shakes his head and puffs his lip out, exasperated. “I can’t fucking believe this. Of all the luck ...”

I run a hand over my face, deflated. “Well. This is a kink in the plan. Let’s go back to the B and B and regroup.”

We drive back in silence, King stewing behind the wheel. I peer out the window, hoping to spot Lacey, but no such luck. Finally, we roll into the driveway, and King slumps against the seat.

“This was a bad idea. I should have checked the dates better, I guess.”

“Not your fault. What were the odds that this would be spring break?”

“One in fifty-two, I suppose.” King scrubs a hand over the back of his neck.

“We could always just ask after her, King. You know—directly. Instead of trying to be covert.”

“Hard pass. I don’t need everyone in town knowing our family business.”

“New plan then.”

“I’m all ears.”

“We’ll go to the Rowdy Tractor tonight. People talk when they’re liquored up. And maybe Lacey will be there. It’s spring break, after all.”

King scratches his head, his lips screwed up. “Good a plan as any, I suppose.”

“Trust me on this—I’ve waitressed forever. I know what I’m talking about.”

22

KING

The Rowdy Tractor’s crowded, the lot almost full when we pull in and park. Music pumps from inside, the thump of bass disrupting the otherwise quiet night.

“Ready?” Juliet smooths her hair down, soft light from the full moon a spotlight on her high cheekbones.

“As I’ll ever be.”