Tirade (Heven and Hell #3)(31)
Author: Cambria Hebert

He brushed past me out the door and I caught his hand. He turned back. I hugged him, squeezing a little harder than I meant to. I pulled away quickly but didn’t step away. “No, really. You didn’t have to do any of that. You didn’t have to bring me here. You could’ve let me get caught.”

“It wasn’t any big deal.” He went down the steps, then turned to hold out his hand for the car keys. “Besides, if I don’t keep your butt out of trouble, I’ll have to deal with Sam.”

I barely even blinked at the comment and I certainly didn’t let on that Riley probably wasn’t going to get a warm welcome from Sam.

Not only was I a killer now, but I was very good at lying.

*

It’s strange how one man’s life ended but everything in the world went right on turning. Life went on and I had no choice but to keep going with it. When I walked into the kitchen, Gran put down the dish she was drying and turned to look at me. I knew I looked like crap. I knew I couldn’t hide the way I felt.

So I lied my way out of it.

Again.

Although, in my own defense, at least this lie was based on truth. Just not the whole truth.

“What happened?” Gran asked, taking in my damp, straggly hair, oversized shirt and bare feet.

Logan came in from the other room and stood, looking at me with worry on his face. I tried to smile to reassure him, but I don’t think I did a very good job.

“I stopped at Sam’s after I went to see Mom.” I lowered myself into a chair at the table. My legs were wobbly and I felt like I might fall down. “I needed a little time alone.”

“Was there a change in Madeline’s condition?” Gran bustled about making what looked like hot tea for me. My stomach turned at the thought of drinking it.

“She woke up.”

“She woke up!” Gran exclaimed. “How is she?”

Logan came a little farther into the room, his face brightening at the good news.

“The doctor said her vitals looked good and she has to stay for another day or two before being released.”

“Well, that is wonderful news. Was she happy to see you?” Gran was upset; her aura was jittering with nervous energy. She could tell just by looking at me that things hadn’t gone well.

“No, Gran. She saw the new mark on my face and declared that she was right before. She said I have evil inside of me and I’m no longer her daughter. She screamed so loud the nurse came in and I had to leave.”

Gran forgot about my tea and dropped into the vacant chair next to me. “Honey, I’m so sorry. She doesn’t really mean it. Her head… it isn’t right from when she fell.”

I appreciated her kindness and the way she tried to make me feel better, but I shook my head sadly. “She meant everything she said.”

“Maybe she’s just confused,” Logan said, taking a seat at the table. Gran nodded.

Over on the stove, the teakettle whistled and steam filled the air. We all ignored it and stared at each other. “I’m very sorry she said those things to you. You know it isn’t true, don’t you?”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

“Oh, honey.” She leaned over and hugged me. She smelled good, like lemons and honey. “You will always have a place here. This is your home and I love you. I want you here.”

I squeezed my eyes shut to prevent any tears. “I know, Gran. I love you too.”

“Oh my! I forgot about the tea.” She bustled over and poured me a mugful, adding honey.

She set the cup by my elbow and I asked, “I was hoping you could go see Mom. Make sure she’s doing okay? I don’t like to think of her there by herself and being confused.”

“Well, I planned on going to see her this afternoon anyway,” Gran said. “I’ll just leave a little early.”

She left me in the kitchen to go upstairs and change her clothes and grab her purse. I got up and dumped half the tea in my mug down the drain and sat back down at the table.

Logan pretended he didn’t notice, which I appreciated. “So your mom is really going to be okay?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“That’s really great news. I felt really bad about what happened to her.”

He looked so relieved that I smiled. “It wasn’t your fault, Logan. In fact, if you hadn’t been there to call for help, she might have been worse.”

His face seemed to go a little pale as Gran came back in and offered to make me some more tea, which I declined. “I’m not sure what time I’ll be home. I have my monthly bridge night tonight, but I can stay home.”

“No,” I said, trying not to sound desperate to get her out of here. “I’ll be fine. Cole is coming over and Logan is here. We can order pizza.”

Concern clouded over Gran’s aura and inwardly I groaned. “Cole’s been spending a lot of time here lately.”

“I thought you liked when Cole came over. He is your grandson and all.”

“Of course I like to see Cole. I just meant that I haven’t seen you with anyone else lately. Where’s Kimber been?”

“We got in a fight. We aren’t speaking.” This was another example of a lie based on truth.

“Oh. Well, I’m sorry. Maybe you two could make up?”

“Maybe,” I echoed.

“Have you talked to Sam lately?” Gran fished.

“This morning. He’s coming home soon.” Like tonight.

“Oh. Great. I was beginning to wonder about him.”

“No need to worry, Gran. Things with Sam are good.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind being on your own tonight?”

I nodded and so did Logan. “Have a great time.”

“I’ll call you and let you know how your mother is doing.” She squeezed my shoulder, then disappeared out the door. I listened to the Toyota start up and drive away. I got up and dumped my mug in the sink. I turned and gasped. Riley was standing behind me. I covered up my shock by scowling at him.

“Oh good, you’re here.” I grabbed my bag from beneath the table (glad Gran didn’t notice the way it looked) and fished out my cell phone. “Can you be ready to go into hell tonight?”

“Sure,” he said while he searched through all the cabinets and came out with a bag of Doritos. He tore open the bag and began shoving them into his mouth. “You have any soda?”

“It’s in the fridge. I’d say make yourself at home… but you already have.”