“I’m so sorry,” I said.

“You can apologize later, after we’ve talked, when you’re na**d and in my bed.”

Holy cow.

“Hank –”

He put a hand to my neck and tipped his head down to get in my face. “Roxanne, now’s a good time to be quiet.” Shit.

He was stil angry.

And I felt like a total bitch.

I braced, getting ready for him to explode.

Then, to my complete surprise, his anger cleared, he gave me a light kiss and squeezed my neck affectionately.

“We’l talk later,” he said quietly.

Then he was gone.

I stood there, it could have been minutes, it could have been hours. I just stood there, looking at the space where Hank had been, not quite able to process how easy it was to fight with him. Even when he was that angry, he could shift it and kiss me good-bye.

My phone rang.

I pul ed it out of my back pocket, flipped it open and put it to my ear. “Hel o?” I said, expecting just about anyone; Annette, Indy, Daisy, anyone.

I should have looked before I answered because it wasn’t Annette, Indy, Daisy or anyone.

It was Bil y.

“I saw you walkin’ his f**kin’ dog with him, sittin’ in his goddamned lap in the car, kissin’ him, you f**king bitch.” My breath left me and I stood stock-stil .

“You’re gonna learn, Roxie. You’re gonna f**king learn.” Then he disconnected.

I kept the phone to my ear and stood frozen, continuing to stare into the space, unseeing, not breathing, scared stiff.

Bil y was watching me.

“A little help!” Uncle Tex yel ed from the front, jarring me out of my stupor.

I flipped the phone shut, shoved it into my pocket and shouted. “Coming!”

I’d think about it later. For now, I was protected, safe, the cameras were on me, even now. I was never alone. They’d find him before he could get to me. Vance was out there looking for Bil y and I knew Hank would keep me safe.

I realized what I’d just thought and closed my eyes.

Hank. I should tel him. I should tel Lee. I should tel someone.

I walked to the front and there were half a dozen customers at the coffee counter, two waiting to buy books.

“Girl, get the f**kin’ lead out!” Uncle Tex boomed.

I decided I’d tel Uncle Tex later. I’d think about Hank and my conversation later. I’d kick myself for what I did to poor Beth later.

I walked to the book counter and rang up the books.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The Good Lord Overwhelms Her on Occasion

“What do you think, Roxie?” Tod asked.

I looked up and noticed everyone was watching me; Indy, Al y, Daisy, Annette, Tod, Stevie and Jet. My mind had been elsewhere, mainly because I’d just lived the weirdest f**king day of my life.

Now, I was sitting, drinking a glass of sparkling wine in Tod and Stevie’s living room (black carpeting, dove gray wal s, mauve furniture, glass tables, sleek, feminine, stark white, human-sized sculptures here and there, it was total y g*y and cool as shit). The Emergency Wedding Summit was in ful swing.

Strewn everywhere were fabric swatches and ribbons of every color; wedding magazines from four different countries; examples of party favors; glossy brochures from wedding venues; information pamphlets for different bands and DJs; invitation samples; and lining the dining room table, were seven (seven!) wedding cake tops ranging from the traditional bride and groom to a teddy bear bride and groom. The Wedding Planner Scrapbook was open on the glass coffee table, bursting with even more stuff then it seemed to carry the day before.

Discussion had been hot and heavy: starting with wedding colors and then veering crazily to wedding gowns, churches, bands, you name it. Indy had a definite idea of what she wanted and every idea she had clashed violently with the one Tod had.

Throughout al of this Stevie calmly served hot and delicious hors d’oeuvres.

Also throughout al of this, I alternately wound myself up about the coming “conversation” with Hank and thoughts about my weird day.

* * * * *

Earlier that afternoon, about half an hour after Hank left, Duke showed up and Indy and Jet arrived not much later with lunch. While we were eating, I told Uncle Tex about Bil y’s phone cal . “You’ve got to be f**kin’ shittin’ me!” he boomed, tuna sandwich residue flying from his mouth.

I dodged the bits of food and shook my head.

“Have you cal ed Hank?” Jet asked, looking upset.

“Things were kinda busy,” I answered.

“I’m cal in’ Hank, give me your phone, woman,” Uncle Tex said, holding out his big hand toward Indy.

Indy knew the dril with Tex and cel phones (as in, he had no clue). She took out her phone, flipped it opened, scrol ed to Hank’s number and pressed the button before handing it to Uncle Tex.

I turned to Jet as Uncle Tex stormed away, taking his sandwich with him. “Hank and I had a talk last night.” Jet’s upset melted immediately and she smiled at me.

“That’s good. Did you get everything straightened out?”

“Not exactly,” I said. “Anyway, I just wanted to tel you that I mentioned something about me being gray and Hank got a little… angry.”

Jet blinked at me. “Pardon?” she asked.

“He said something about you two having a conversation and how whatever you two talked about in no way, or, I should say his exact words were…” I did a fake, deep voice, “‘Roxie, hear this right f**king now, in no way does it transfer to you’.”

Jet’s mouth spread in a huge smile. “See! I told you he wouldn’t think you were gray. Now you don’t have anything to worry about.”

Right.

I wished.

“What’s this about gray?” Indy asked, looking between the two of us.

Before anyone could answer, Uncle Tex was back. “He wants to talk to you.”

I closed my eyes for a second, wondering what Hank’s mood would be after lunch with Beth. Then I took the phone.

“Hey,” I said.

“You okay?” he asked, no anger in his tone, only concern.

I felt a little of my tension ebb away.

“Freaked out a little bit, but okay,” I answered.

“I know it doesn’t seem like it but this is good, Roxie. I’l cal Lee and he’l tel Vance. We already know Flynn’s been fol owin’ you, but whatever he’s doin’, he’s been careful.

He’s givin’ Vance some trouble and Vance is a top-notch tracker. Now Flynn is getting desperate, angry and stupid and that’s good. That means he’l make a mistake.” I nodded. That made sense and even though Bil y getting more desperate, angry and stupid was pretty f**king scary, getting him didn’t sound good, it sounded great.