Trouble Follows

Ch. 16

Mercedes pushed open Marcy's door. She wasn't in bed. Secret lifted his head. Mercedes patted it. "Where's Mommy, Secret?"

He barked before resettling.

Mercedes patted his head again and went to the closet. She wasn't in there so Mercedes knocked on her bathroom door. She opened it when she got no answer. It was empty as well.

"What are you doing?"

Mercedes jumped and spun around. "Marcy! Make some noise, will ya?! I'm pregnant!"

"Why are you in my room?"

"Looking for you!" Mercedes clapped a hand to her chest to slow her galloping heart-rate.

"Why?"

"Where were you? Why are you all wet?"

Marcy was wearing striped shorts and a tank top with running shoes. And she was soaking wet. "I went for a run." She pulled her earbuds out and set them along with her phone on her nightstand.

"You don't sweat."

Marcy smirked. "I've been running for a while."

"It's seven thirty in the morning. How long have you been out?"

"Since four."

"Four o'clock this morning?! Have you lost your mind?! There's crazy people out at four in the morning and you're pregnant!"

Marcy blinked. "Crazy like me?"

Mercedes swatted her. "Like serial killers!"

"I would like to meet this phantom serial killer. I think we'd have a great conversation."

Mercedes narrowed her eyes. "I came to say happy graduation day."

"Then say it." Her ponytail swung.

"Happy graduation!" Mercedes hugged her gently.

"Thanks."

"Why'd you run so long? Was it about graduation?"

"I had a lot on my mind."

"And you feel better now?"

"Yeah." Marcy went to her desk and typed on her laptop.

"What's going on?"

Marcy hit a key and turned around. "I just finished my latest book."

Mercedes brightened. "Which one was it?"

"Part of the Grey series."

"I love that series! I can't wait to buy it!"

"You know you don't have to go out and buy it every time I publish a new book."

"I know. But I want to support you. And I was thinking."

"About?" Marcy took a sip from her water bottle.

"I know I've been writing since I was fourteen but I won't let anyone see anything. Will you look over some of my stuff?"

Marcy's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yes. I just finished this book about a single mother finding love and I think this might be the one."

"Wow. This is a big deal. You're thinking of a book deal?"

Mercedes shrugged. "Maybe? I don't know. I just think I'm ready for the world to know about me."

"I'd be happy to look over your book."

"Thanks, Marce." Mercedes hugged her even as eagle wings beat in her chest. "I really appreciate it."

"I appreciate you not hugging me." Marcy pushed Mercedes away and raised a brow.