Twist of Fate Louise, Tia (read dune .txt) 📖

in the middle of our bed sleeping in a little ball. I cover her with a blanket, but I don’t feel like lying down. I go to the living room, thinking I’ll watch something mindless, until I see the record player still open, that record still on the turntable. The echoes of the song drift to me, and I sit on the couch and cry.

Twenty-Nine

Daisy

It’s twilight when I open my eyes, and I’m disoriented. What time is it? My eyes land on the clock, five-thirty. It gets dark so early now that it’s fall. Where’s Melody?

I sit up fast, and a blanket falls from my shoulders. I didn’t get a blanket before I laid down. A piece of paper drifts to the floor, and I scoop it up. It’s Sly’s handwriting.

Wasn’t sure if you’d check your phone. Don’t worry—I have Melody. Thought she might like to play football with Jesse. Rest and I’ll bring her home tomorrow.

A sad smile curls my lips, and I fall back on the couch. Of course, Melody would want to play with Jesse. He’s so much like his uncle, and playing football with him will make her smile, it’ll take her mind off missing her dad.

Hopping up, I toss the blanket and scoop my phone off the kitchen table. I shoot my cousin a quick text, You really are the best. Thank you.

I drop my phone on the couch, but when I get to the kitchen, I remember Scout’s promise to Facetime Melody. He would have to call my phone to do it. Doubling back, I’m about to check for a missed call when a loud scraping noise comes from the French doors.

It’s followed by a thump, and I hesitate, wondering if an animal is on the balcony. Shit! I don’t want a squirrel in here—or worse, a raccoon… Reaching for the broom, I freeze at the sandpaper voice.

“Daisy May… It’s about time we had a chat. Since you blew me off at the bar.”

“Travis?” I jump away, towards the kitchen. “Are you okay? You sound kind of off.”

“You know what’s hard, Daisy May? You know what’s really fucking hard?” He creeps into the apartment wearing only his white tank and jeans. His hair is disheveled, and he’s pale, covered in a sheen of sweat. “Getting blamed for goddamned everything.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He’s so skinny, long arms and long legs. His fingers curl, and my mind conjures the image of a large, black spider closing in for the kill. I’m terrified.

My heart is in my throat, and I slowly ease to the drawer behind me, fumbling with the handle. I’m pretty sure a big knife is in it.

“I tried. I really tried.” He punctuates each word with a step, closing the space between us. His eyes widen, and he seems a little crazed. “But they won’t let me change.”

My fingers just touch the knife handle, but before I can pull it out, he jerks me forward. “Ouch… Travis, you’re hurting me.”

“Oh, yeah? Welcome to my world. I came here wanting to make amends. I wanted to take you out and show you a good time, but no. Nobody believes I can do good.”

Summoning all my strength, I calm my voice. I smile comfortingly. “I believed you. It’s just like I said… I’m not available.”

“Because you’ve got all that money now? Maybe you should give me a few of those pieces of junk that are worth so much.”

He lets me go and takes a step to the side like he’ll head down to the store.

I step right in front of him, blocking his way. “You’re wrong! It has nothing to do with that.”

“Then what is it? You’re still holding out for your baby daddy?” He leans into my face, voice cruel. “So pathetic. Where is he this time?”

“He’s right here, asshole.” Scout’s loud voice sends my heart flying to my throat.

Travis flies off me as Scout throws him over the couch. He hits the floor with a crash, and I’m blinking, not believing my eyes.

Scout storms after him, giving him a kick before jerking him off the floor by his shirt. “I’m about to throw your ass off the balcony. Let’s see what changes then.”

“Scout?” My voice wobbles, but he’s dragging a struggling Travis to the French doors. I leap into action, running after them. “Scout, wait! Don’t do it! Chad will have to arrest you!”

“Yeah, don’t throw him over the balcony, Scout.” Chad’s lazy voice stops us, and I look down to see our friendly sheriff in the street below, gun drawn and lights blazing on his cruiser. “I’ll come up and cuff him.”

“You’d better make it fast. I’m ready to throw this fucker as far as I can see him.” Scout’s eyes are locked on Travis’s, his jaw is clenched, and I’m pretty sure smoke is coming out of his nose.

“I didn’t hurt her, man.” Travis’s voice is high and whiney. He holds up both hands. “I’ll climb down. Just let me climb down.”

“You hear that, Chad?” Scout doesn’t take his eyes off Travis.

“I got him. Let him come down.”

Scout gives him a shake and pulls Travis up close with a jerk. “Don’t ever come here again.” His voice is a growl, and Travis nods fast.

His fists unclench, and he watches, shoulders rising and falling with his breaths as the spider creeps down to where Chad is waiting to arrest him.

I hear Chad’s voice. “Let’s go.”

All the strength drains away from my limbs, and I sink to the sofa. Scout waits on the balcony a few seconds longer before turning, and when our eyes meet, we fly to each other, both talking at the same time.

“Are you okay?”

“You didn’t leave?”

He’s holding me off my feet in a hug. My legs are around his waist, and my face is pressed against his skin. He carries me to the sofa, sitting with me straddling his lap still hugging him.

“My flight got delayed.” He slides a hand up and down my back as