Revealed (Unbound, Book 5)

Chapter Forty-Five

"Nora! Hi!" Astrid smiled brightly. "I thought I saw cars over here. When did you come back?"

I raised my eyebrow and crossed my arms. "Julian didn't tell you?"

"I—no." She shook her head.

"Then I guess he figured it was none of your business."

"That's not very nice." She lost her smile.

"Perhaps that's because you tried selling my mother's house or—I don't know—paid someone's college tuition to spy on me."

"Trevor—"

"No." I shook my head. "Don't speak. There's really nothing you can say, and I have guests. Just go."

Astrid squared her shoulders and narrowed her eyes. "Have you thought about selling the land?"

"To you?" I laughed. "Never."

Turning, I went back inside, letting the door slam. Flicking the deadbolt, I was grateful for the change in locks.

"Who was that?" Islene asked, appearing in the kitchen doorway.

I shrugged. "Just some solicitor. They're gone now."

I passed Islene, letting my tension go. When I sat at the table, I picked up my phone and pulled open my contacts to start a new message thread.

Me: Hi. What are you doing?

Three dots appeared, then came a reply.

Trevor: Hey, Nora! Nothing. You?

Me: How'd you know it was me?

Trevor: Don't be mad.

Me: ???

Trevor: AirDrop. When I gave you my number, I got yours.

Given everything else, I wasn't surprised. I mean, I couldn't even be mad. I gave him my phone, so it was like implied consent or something.

Me: What else did you want to tell me?

Trevor: Let's meet.

Me: Or just tell me.

Trevor: ...

"Everything okay?" Islene asked, and I set my phone down.

"Oh, yeah." I nodded and nearly laughed when I finally looked at the table. Rather than a family dinner, it looked like a table set with food from a bar during a big sports game with pizza, wings, pop, and paper plates. "This looks great!"

"How's Nancy?" Calin asked and started helping himself.

"Huh?" I reached out to grab the breaded chicken bits that were revealed when he moved the pizza box. "Mm. These are my favorite."

"You aren't talking with Nancy?" Calin asked, making me pause as I dished out my food.

"Uh, no." I put the chicken down and took a piece of pizza, keeping my focus on food. "Just a friend I used to know. Catching up."

"What's their name?" he asked, then flinched when I assumed Islene kicked his chair.

"Don't be nosy," Islene said. "I'm sure Nora doesn't ask who you talk to."

"She can if she wants." Calin shrugged and I shook my head.

"Don't answer, Nora," Islene said and looked at me. "How was your day?"

"Hmm." I waved my fork in the air, nodding until I finished chewing. Finally, I swallowed and didn't even have to force a smile. "Mostly good. Went for coffee and did some more reading."