City Of Dreams

Twenty

I took a deep breath and stepped off the plane.

A big group of teenagers was crowded around someone about fifteen feet away from me.

A head peeked out from over the sea of teens.

"Charlotte!"

Addie's blonde curls bounced as she escaped the crowd.

I glanced at a ball of fur in her arms.

She stumbled away from the people, security pushing them away.

"Where the hell have you been?"

I shook my head.

"Just trying to relax before opening night. I'm sorry I didn't answer you. I left my phone on airplane mode."

She gave me a look, but it faded.

"What the hell is that?"

She glanced down at the dog in her arms.

"It's Usher."

It sneezed, making Addie giggle.

I looked at her.

"Why?"

She smiles innocently.

"Oak got a new puppy. I get a dog."

I shake my head.

"I don't wanna know."

She caressed the dogs head and looked back up at me.

"Chris called. He said you were worried about 'fixing' something. What was that about?"

I groan.

"It's nothing. Let's just get home."

We trudged out to the parking lot, getting in a taxi.

Addie put the husky in her lap.

We tell the driver where we're going and he starts the cab.

"She seems awful happy about that dog. Maybe you should ask about it."

I shake my head.

"Maybe she's just hiding behind that smile. Maybe she knows that you've been lying all this time. I bet she knows. I bet she is plotting your murder right now."

I remain silent.

This is going to be a long night.