Page 50 of Sweet Dreams
I feel my hands trembling as I near the corner, my heart picking up the pace. The thought of any surprises makes me anxious. With a deep breath, I push myself to take that final step and make the turn. My eyes tear up when I see Dad and John standing outside my shop. Every window, including the door, is covered in plywood.
John nods to me when he sees me approaching. When Dad turns to me, it’s clear how upset he is.
“Small fry. What are you doing here?” He pulls me in for a hug. “I’m sorry about the shop,” he whispers next to my ear.
“Thanks, Dad. I came to check on the place, but I see you two beat me here.”
“Jace called and asked if I could help, and in return, I called John. Have you seen inside yet?”
I face the front of the shop, and my heart sinks. It looks like an abandoned shop that no one wants. It doesn't exactly shout, 'I'm a bookshop!' Maybe it should team up with the record store next door and form a support group for run down shops.
“We can head inside if you want. We can’t touch anything since it’s an ongoing investigation.” John holds the door open, Dad heads in first, and I hang back. “It’s okay to be nervous, Teagan. But the fearsmust be met, or they’ll never disappear. Do not fear what has passed; as old leaves fall, they create space for new growth. This tree is yours, Teagan. Time to make it flourish once more.”
I absorb his words. He’s right. We rebuilt it once we could do it again. But what if the same thing happens again?
“I’m scared, John.”
“Of what? Going inside?”
My gaze shifts beyond the door, where fragments of bookshelves lie strewn across the floor. “What if this happens again, this last month has been shit, John. I can’t handle any more heartbreak.”
He grips my shoulder. “I understand that, and I promise it’ll get easier.”
I want to believe him, but it’s hard. I don’t have any faith that everyone will be caught, Nancy won’t be punished for this, and I’ll be blamed still. I take a deep breath and step inside. Now, I wish Jace had given me a little heads-up. The entire place is destroyed. Nothing is left untouched; even the computer is smashed on the floor. The floor is strewn with torn pages from books, while the bookshelves appear to have been brutally attacked with axes.
Dad comes by my side and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Any word from the cops?”
I scoff. “Taylor came by yesterday, and from his questions, he made it sound like I was the problem. I don’t have much faith in him.”
“Neither do I. You should call your lawyer and tell him what happened. I don’t want any of this coming back on you. This is bullshit; maybe I should talk to Nancy and finally hash it out with her.”
I rest my head on his shoulder. “I’ve always wondered why she had her radar set on me, not that I blame you, Dad, but I swear if you started something and this is the outcome, I’m going to be pissed.”
“Yeah, you’re gonna be pissed.”
I had a feeling it had something to do with Dad. Shit rolls downhill and now I have to deal with it all. If I knew talking to Nancy wouldn’t work against me, I would be demanding answers. With my luck, Taylor follows her around like a dog in heat. Maybe I should call Sam and see what he says. Nancy attacked, which goes beyond a threatening note.
“I think I’ve seen enough. Thanks again for being here.”
“Anything for you, Small fry. Want me to drive you home?” He guides me to the door, but John is blocking it. “What’s wrong?” Dad shuffles me behind him.
He speaks over his shoulder. “There’s an SUV parked out front, and the driver is just watching the shop. They haven’t moved in minutes. I’m not sure who they are.”
“I’m gonna say someone that’s with Nancy, this is bullshit. What would happen if you came down, and we weren’t here?”
I don’t want to think about that. If I think about it, my mind will wonder where it shouldn’t be, and I’ll never want to leave my house until all of this is wrapped up. I know whoever is outside is with Nancy; she sent them to scare me. Obviously, she didn’t get what she wanted out of yesterday, and I’m the unfinished business.
“Want me to scare them?” John asks.
Dad moves next to John, making his presence known. If having two tall, muscular guys standing there doesn’t intimidate you, I’m not sure what will. The sound of the engine revving in reverse and the tires squealing as they drive off is music to my ears.
“I’ll drive you home,” Dad says, tension laced in his voice.
There’s so much I want to say, but I can’t think of the words. Because what can you say to one of the people that can be responsible for all the shit that is going wrong,I don't think Dad ever intended for any of this to happen. I don't think he knew it couldturn out like this. Whatever issue Nancy and Dad have, they need to figure it out because it’s officially getting dangerous. Getting Nancy to listen can be a bit of a challenge; she's on a war path, and I seem to be in her crosshairs.
Rounding the street to my house, I feel my heart leap up my throat when I see a minivan parked out front of my home. I forgot all about Silas parked out front. Doesn’t he have to eat or take a piss? He can’t seriously stay here all the time.
Dad pulls into my small driveway and glares at Silas. “Who’s the soccer mom?”