Edward Zimmer stands near the fountain, holding high his flute of champagne. He has a sea of supporters around him, hanging on his every word. “It seems as if most of your supporters are hanging out on this side of the room,” Crystal says from beside Miles, pointing him toward the side opposite t
When Esther reaches her parents’ house, she’s relieved to discover that Davis no longer has been instructed to hold her up at the door. After greeting her kindly and taking her coat, he guides her toward the living room, where Mom and Dad are sitting on opposite ends of the couch. Dad’s reading th
The confusion ebbs from Mom and Dad’s faces. They know about Edward, and the horrors he’s responsible for. Thea continues to be perplexed though. We’ve all shielded her in our own ways, me as well. She has her own dark memories, she doesn’t need mine on top of them. “The past is best left where it
I’m not angry that Miles went to see Edward at this event. Surprised, certainly, and I’m not a fan of him having done it behind my back. I fully plan on chewing him out for even attempting that. But. He says he’s met my monster. It’s difficult not to focus on that. “What did you think?” I ask.
It’s cheesy so I laugh a little. He swallows it with a kiss. When we break for air, I suggest, “Maybe we should practice.” “Good idea,” Miles says and lowers me down onto the bed. When I’m with Miles, the bad memories are pushed so far away, it’s like they happened to someone else. When I’m
Hugo watches Mr. Carpenter like a hawk, so he notices the way Mr. Carpenter immediately stiffens at Edward Zimmer’s name. Good. Hugo wants to make him uncomfortable. But he also wants Mr. Carpenter to think they might be in the same boat. Zimmer likely has dirt on Carpenter. Why couldn’t he have d
That night, Miles and I have our third and fourth round from the privacy of my bedroom. My body is pleasantly sore and sated. I’m ready to drift off to dreamland. I’m fairly certain Miles is already there, wrapped around me protectively. I feel safe and happy here beside Miles. Despite everythin
I fly out of the backseat of the car and rush up the driveway. “Garnar!” Thea wails. Some of the neighbors turn their lights on. Eyes start peeking through the windows. The door opens a crack. “Go home, Thea!” Garnar shouts. “Before I call the police!” “You wouldn’t do that to me! You love m