Page 35 of Hotter 'N Hell

Here he went again with the dots coming and going. Was it that hard to answer? Or maybe he just wanted to spend time with me and wasn’t sure yet.

Jude:

You mentioned adding a food pantry to Threads. There is one in Jackson that is well done, and I thought you’d like to see it. Get ideas.

I absolutely would. I had thought I’d bring it up again in a week or so, but he’d already been thinking about it. As happy as that made me, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish this were all just a way for him to spend time with me.

Saylor:

That would be great. Thank you.

Jude:

I should be the one thanking you. Good night, Saylor. See you in the morning.

Saylor:

Good night.

Fifteen

Saylor

Buying some dresses appropriate for Mass was going to have to be prioritized. Just like last time, I had to change several times before I found something that didn’t show too much leg or cleavage or cling to my body. It was always one of the three, if not all three. The dress I settled on was strapless, but I added a cropped white-and-blue jean jacket to it to cover up all the skin, and it worked. It hit respectfully just below my knees, and it was straight, but not spandex snug.

When I stepped into the kitchen to find Mom, I regretted my decision to grab an Alani Nu to go. I could have done without the caffeine. She paused, holding her tea bag above her cup as her eyes scanned my body.

“Are you going to church?” she asked, finally sinking the tea bag into her cup of hot water.

“Yes,” I replied.

Mom watched me as I walked over to the refrigerator. “So, are you religious now?”

That was a hard no. I shook my head. “Just going to be supportive. There is a meeting after about the food pantry they want to open. I’ve enjoyed helping with the free clothes closet thing. I thought this might be something I would like.” I took my can of energy and closed the door.

“When I reminded you about your Salvation Army tree venture, I didn’t realize you would be so inspired to do so much goodwill. And the group counseling meeting about loss,” she went on, “that’s helping?”

Not at all since I had only gone to one. “It helps to talk about it with people who aren’t family.”

“I guess that makes sense. Whatever helps. I am glad to see you getting out. Even if a church wouldn’t have been my first choice.” She gave me a side-eye. “Your father has a lot of questions about all your running around. Gathe assured him that he is keeping an eye on you, and one of the guys stays there when you’re out past dark and makes sure you get home safely. But if this is going to be a regular thing, he’s going to want to check things out.”

I wanted to scream. But I remained calm.

“There is no need. For starters, in ten days, I turn twenty-two. Secondly, it’s a church. A freaking church. Can’t I have some part of my life that the family’s hand isn’t in? Something that is mine?”

Mom sighed as she stared at me. I waited, gripping my drink, tempted to throw it against a wall. I wasn’t the first daughter. I didn’t need security detail.

“I’ll talk to him. I know you want some freedom, and I want that for you, but, honey, you can’t change your family. And you will always be a target because of that. We just want you safe.”

A million times. I’d heard that at least a million times.

“Okay,” I replied, knowing this was pointless.

I would need to talk to Dad myself. But right now, I had to get to Mass. There was a hot priest who wanted to see me.

No, Momma, I am not religious. I am just paving a nice, shiny road to hell. But if you saw his green eyes, chiseled jaw, and sexy smile, you would so get it.

It was a very small house. Living room, kitchen with a table, no dining room, and from what I could tell, one bedroom and bathroom. That was all it could be. There wasn’t enough structure for there to be more. My favorite thing about it was that there was a faint trace of his scent in the air.