Page 111 of Fly's Path

He growls something under his breath, and she leans up to kiss his cheek.

I wander away to give them some privacy just as the sounds of motorcycles rumbling up the drive fill the air.

Is Fly one of them? I’m not ready to see him. What do I say? How do I react?

The need to hide overwhelms me, and I’m not that much of a coward, but I feel like one right now.

Piper walks up to me, looping an arm through mine. “Are you as excited as I am for this weekend? Valen said he’d try to make it. But work has him a little busy.”

“It takes a lot to help save the world.”

Her grin gets so big. We follow the crowd into a great room. The fireplace in the room is big enough to roast a hog, which half of the women try to look away from, but smells fantastic.

“Good morning!” Garnet stands on a chair by the window. “Thank you all for coming. The game is going to begin immediately. Each person will receive a card with the details about their character as well as a tracking bracelet.”

“Don’t take that off. The grounds are extensive, and we don’t want to have to send out a rescue team to find you,” Winnie chimes in.

How big is this place?

“Anyone anywhere on the grounds could be the murderer, except the staff. They aren’t involved in the game, but will be happy to provide you with directions to find whatever room you want to explore. I would recommend visiting the dungeon at least once.” Garnet grins. “That is an experience you’ll never forget. The game ends tomorrow at lunch or when someone figures out who the murderer is. If you know, simply touch your tracker like this one time.” She squeezes the button that looks like a charm. “It will light up everyone’s bracelets, and we will meet right here to see if you’re correct. If you get lost, press and hold the button until it turns red. Help will come for you. Let the games begin.” Garnet jumps, almost toppling over, before righting herself.

I take my envelope, slide the bracelet on, then rush out of the room as the bikers enter.

In The Doghouse

Vandal

The cleaners arrive just as I step out of my bedroom to the destruction and disorder left from last night’s event. These can be fixed with a few hours of work and a credit card.

Lola…the trauma last night caused to Lola can’t be corrected as easily.

She’s not just going to forgive me for lying to her.

Or understand why I didn’t invite her to my party.

The look in her eyes when she saw me dancing with those children…there was no way she could tell that far away in the low strobing lights how young they were, which might be a blessing. It’s one thing to be a lying, cheating creep and completely another to…

How am I going to get her to forgive me?

Start with the basics: coffee, flowers, and diamonds. Then grovel…until your knees bleed.

But none of that will matter if it happens again, which it will. We haven’t gotten The Ghost. Hopefully, one of the others got some real concrete answers because I’ve gotten nowhere at all, except in the doghouse with Lola.

Why now?

Why did she have to walk into my life now, when I don’t have the space to give her what she needs? What she deserves?

Walk away.

Fly said it.

The world just showed you that the two of you have no chance at working.

Not one single chance.

Then why am I heading out to get coffee, flowers, and diamonds?

Because it doesn’t matter.