Steal My Breath (Elixir 1)

“I understand that because I escaped into a world of design to deal with mine. The hours I spend drawing help me forget all the bullshit.”

“Do you do much these days?”

“Not really. I don’t have a lot of spare time between the bar and Sean. I landscaped the backyard, and I’m in the middle of designing a granny flat for a friend, but other than that, I haven’t worked on any other project since I left work.”

She cocks her head. “Do you think you’ll ever go back to that work? I realise the bar might hamper that, but it sounds like you really love designing.”

“I will one day. I’m planning on that, but it feels like there’s a lot of hurdles in my life I need to clear before that can happen.” I lean close to her so I can move a strand of hair out of her eyes. “I didn’t get a chance to ask you how your first day at the new job went.”

“It was okay. I think I may get a little bored with it, to be honest. They’ve got me covering local events and social stuff. Ugh.”

“Can you work your way into what you really want to do?”

She shrugs. “Maybe. But for now, this is money, right?”

“Absolutely.”

Guilt rears its ugly head as I sit with Callie discussing our lives. Keeping the truth from her of what’s currently happening with Jolene is eating into me. I almost tell her twice during the conversation, but in the end, I continue to keep it from her. All I can hope is she never finds out that I wasn’t completely honest with her. In my experience, women hold that shit against you, even if you’ve done it to protect them. And that never leads to a good place.

* * *

“Barry, I need to know what’s happening with the cops. Have you found anything yet?”

My lawyer has been evasive over the last few days every time I call him to ask this question. Today, however, he gives me some hope. “I’m in discussions with the detective, Luke. He’s assuring me that if you give him the information he wants, he’ll drop your involvement. Did you manage to get anything out of her today?”

Barry and I decided that I’d deal with the detective through him going forward. I give him what Jolene told me today.

“Good. I’ll take this to him today.”

“You’ll let me know as soon as you do?”

“I will. And Luke?”

“Yeah?”

“Try and relax. This will be over soon.”

“Easier said than done, Barry.” Not when your whole life hangs on this.

14

Callie

Me: What are you doing?

Luke: Zoning out in front of the TV. Sean’s asleep. How’s work?

Me: Ugh. Please send vodka. This is not how Monday mornings are supposed to go.

Luke: I could make it all better tonight.

Me: Go away.

Luke: Seriously, come over for dinner. My food will make you smile again.

Me: So long as food isn’t code for a body part of yours.

Luke: Do you want it to be?