A Twist Of Fate [3]

Chapter 15

'How's your trip, honey?' Mom asked me from the other end of the phone. I was lounging on the bed in my room, still sore from my accident but also reluctant to go downstairs at all and mingle with everyone after Felix and Cal's dispute the day before. Everyone had tried to be social afterwards but it wasn't long before everyone had retried to their rooms.

'It's fun, Mom!' I replied, rolling onto my back to stare at the ceiling. 'It's really pretty here.'

'Good to hear,' she chirped. 'Riley broke up with his girlfriend by the way.'

'Oh no!' I sat up quickly in surprise and then immediately groaned at the pain in my ass.

'Are you okay?' Mom asked me, sounding concerned.

'Yeah, I'm great,' I chuckled, laying back down. 'Just fell on my ass whilst rock-climbing with the gang and my butt really hurts still.'

Mom laughed loudly and immediately began telling my dad. 'Your dad says he's very disappointed that he missed that.'

A smile spread onto my face as I pictured my dad smiling at the story of my near-miss. 'Tell dad he sucks for that. Anyway, is Riley okay?'

'Is Riley okay?' she repeated, blowing out a loud raspberry sound. 'He's more than okay! He's already moved on to someone else!'

'Oh god, tell me he's not a little fuckboy already?' I groaned, my hand flying to my face as I cringed deeply.

'What the hell is that?' Mom asked. 'He's just being a typical teenage boy I think.'

'Yeah, it's only just the beginning, Mom,' I teased. 'Keep your eye on him!'

'He's never home these days,' Mom told me. 'Always hanging around town with his friends.'

'How is Leiper Falls anyway?' I asked, nerves creeping in as a certain individual sprung to mind. 'Have you seen him, Mom?'

There was silence on the other end and then a soft sigh. 'We did see him the first day he got back. He didn't get the best reception from the residents though. Your dad was at the bar having a drink that night and he walked in with a friend but the owner kicked him out. He's not welcome in most of the stores and when we saw him near the town hall, everyone was staring at him and giving him disapproving looks. Someone even shouted murderer at him. We haven't seen him since.'

'So he's in hiding at home,' I hummed, my heart pounding just talking about him. 'Maybe that's for the best.'

'I'm not sure,' Mom replied. 'One of the women in my book club knows his Aunt. She says he was looking to get out of town completely after the reaction to his return.'

'Hopefully he stays gone,' I muttered, feeling glad that my parents might not have to keep seeing him around town.

I talked to my mom for a little longer and we said our goodbyes and hung up. As I placed my phone by my bed and forced myself to stand up, the door opened and Penny strolled in.

'You look gorgeous!' I gasped, as soon as I noticed her blow-dried hair, sparkly make-up and floral summer dress. 'What did I miss?'

'Zeke is picking me up!' she squealed, gripping both my hands and squeezing them. 'He called and asked to take me to lunch.'

'Amazing news!' I cried, admiring her as she did a spin to show me her dress.

'He's outside now, I just wanted to show you my outfit and let you know where I'll be,' she told me, giving me an excited hug before hurrying to the door.

'Have fun, don't get pregnant!' I yelled, and she giggled before hurrying downstairs.

I felt happy for her, smiling to myself as I left my room to head to the bathroom. As I turned left down the hallway, I bumped into Olivia. 'Oh hey.'