Page 43 of Sweet Dreams
“I only tell the people what they should know.”
“Well, your facts are out to fucking lunch, Elma. Next time, go to the source for everything before you ruin their livelihood. So, if you don’t mind, there's the fucking door. Don’t come back until you learn your place in this town.”
She places her hand on her chest, and her eyes grow wide. “Are you threatening me?”
“No, Elma. I’m tired of you spreading rumours about me.” I point to my chest.
“I’m sorry, Teagan. But that’s how things work.”
I shake my head. Unreal, I step back, opening the door. “Then you can leave. Our friendship, or whatever you think it was, is over. Don’t come back.”
Elma brushes past me without another word. If someone prefers spreading rumours over building friendships, they're not someone I want around.
I already have enough drama to deal with for alifetime.
Here I am, lying in bed the night before the big day, and so many scenarios are running through my head. So much so that I can’t find the switch to turn my brain off. The nonstop chatter is driving me up the wall. I never heard back from Silas. I didn’t expect to. Okay, that’s a lie. I wanted him to reach out or to show up at my door with that smirk of his and tell me he was proud of me. But it’s nothing but wishful thinking. When tomorrow rolls around, it will just be me walking through those doors, and that's all there is to it.
Why can’t shit just be easy for me, just once? The only thing that went right today was the delivery.Thankfully, everything I ordered came in, and I worked my ass off stocking the shelves. I should be beyond tired and yet I can’t fall asleep. I swing the blankets off and head for the kitchen. Maybe ice cream and true crime will help me fall asleep.
I’ve done this all before, including ice cream and true crime. My life feels stuck on a never-ending loop, going round and round with no progress in sight. That damn hamster wheel won’t stop spinning long enough for me to step off.
I startle awake when the TV volume increases. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears; I try to calm down by placing my hand on my chest. It’s almost like déjà vu. I slowly get up and walk to the front window. Grabbing the curtain, without thinking, I fling it open fast, hoping to scare whoever is out there. But there’s no one there.
All that’s there is the mask that I left in my yard. I couldn’t touch it again; honestly, I thought he would return to grab it. I guess I couldn’t keep a stalker around, either. I close the curtains, shut the TV off and head to the bedroom. It’s going to be a long night.
I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror; my hair is a mess, and the bags under my eyes are a dead giveaway that the sleep never came. I can’t give myself a pep talk because I’m too busy being a Debbie downer. The words that Elma said are going through my mind. What did she mean by saying that everyone was upset with me? Is today going to be a complete bust?
I run a brush through my hair, contemplating my next move. At this point, I really couldn't care less. If people show up, they show up. There isn’t much I can do about it. Elma ruined things for me; even if I dug the grave, she opened her mouth without all the information.
“You’ve got this, you’re a bad bitch, and no one can ruin this day.” I nod at myself and finish getting myself ready.
The walk to the shop was refreshing and what I needed. But that fizzed out when I turned the corner and noticed a blacked-out Land Rover parked outside the shop. I stop dead in my tracks and turn around. I’m not dealing with that witch. I take the alley and find my phone.
“What’s the matter, Tee?”
“Where are you?” I demand, ignoring his question.
“What’s wrong?” Jace’s voice raises a notch.
“I’m at the shop, and Nancy is waiting out front. What should I do?”
I hear a door slam and some yelling. “The boys and I are coming. Go through the back and stay in the office. Don’t open any door until I call you.”
“Okay.” I rush down the alley, trying to dig my keys out of my bag. Why would she be waiting? Is she trying to bait me into doing something, or does she want something from me? Struggling to insert the key into the lock, my trembling hands refuse to cooperate. My heart pounds with uncertainty, dreading the possibility of Nancy suddenly appearing around the corner.
I feel such a sense of relief as I slide the key into the lock. Once inside, I immediately lock the door behind me. My whole body is shaking, and I’m on the verge of crying. I have to pull it together. I haven’t broken down yet, and I can’t start yet. I slip into my office and wait for Jace to call. Without thinking, I text him.
Me: Silas I know you don’t wanna talk to me, but I’m scared.
I don’t know what made me reach out, but I’m unsure what could happen with Nancy sitting outside. I hold my phone close to my chest and lean against the door. I jump when my phone dings.
Sunshine: What’s going on? I’m calling pick up the fucking phone
The phone hardly rings before I accept the call.
“Silas.”
“What’s going on, Teagan?”