How does a blind man hack? There’s a riddle to solve.
“Snake said no,” Drex points out.
“And Snake calls the shots now?”
“He’s part of this circle, and we owe it to him to let him call the shots on this particular thing,” Sledge says in agreement.
Drex’s phone buzzes again, and he curses while pulling it out, shifting me enough to get it fully released from his pocket.
“Yeah,” he snaps without looking at the number. His eyes change and he clears his throat. “Yeah,” he says softer. “She’s right here.”
He hands the phone to me, and I stand. Reluctantly, Drex lets me move to the corner of the room.
“Hello?”
“Eve, honey, I’ve been trying to reach you,” Mom says over the phone.
I exhale heavily and spare her the grave details of my new life. She’s been through enough because of my attempt to help.
“Sorry. My phone was broken today. How’s the new home?”
She sighs, but it doesn’t sound weary. “It’s actually lovely. The boys love the creek behind the house. They’re adjusting nicely and quickly. I actually think they needed this change, and if I’m really being honest, so did I. Our house was haunted with memories of your sister. I never want to forget her, but it hurts too much to walk by her room every day and expect her to walk out… Or slam her door in my face after informing me of how I’m ruining her life for not letting her blast her music.”
A sad bit of laughter escapes me, and Mom sighs again.
“Are you okay, honey? It’s you I’m worried about. Why don’t you come out here with us?”
My eyes drift over to Drex, catching his gaze on me, but he slowly turns away and tries to focus on the other conversation in the room.
“Eve? Did you hear me? Why don’t you join us?”
Because Drex is here. Because I’m not the same person. Because I’m selfish and want to stay. Because I’d be miserable anywhere else.
Because I’m different now.
Because I’m where I belong.
None of those answers would be a good idea.
“I’ll visit as often as I can when it’s safe,” I tell her instead. “I’m sorry I dragged you into all of this.”
“I’m sorry you were so desperate to help me that you’re stuck somewhere with those men now. Honey, this is insane. It’s not right. I’m your mother, and I feel like I failed you. I shouldn’t have burdened you so much with problems meant for me to handle.”
“None of this was ever your fault, Mom. I was naïve enough to think this would only ever effect me.” Taking a deep breath, I decide to shift the conversation back to the happier thoughts. “So you like it, yeah? The town, the home, the creek?”
“It’s incredible. The people are so nice. The boys have already made friends with neighbors and such. With all the extra money we got from selling the house and the leftover money from… from what you did… Well, I’m taking some time before finding a job. There’s no rush at the moment. That man said the house was owned by him and refuses to accept rent, so that’s one bill I don’t have to worry about. It gives me a lot of extra money.”
That man is Drex, I want to say, but I’m more focused on something else she just said.
My brow furrows, but I don’t say anything aloud. My eyes land on Drex again. Obviously the Colorado home is his, but… Our house hasn’t sold. It hasn’t even had one offer.
“That’s great, Mom. Really.”
“It’s nice to be able to spend time with the boys and just enjoy life a little. But it’s hard to enjoy knowing what you’re sacrificing to give us this.”
“Don’t let that hold you back, Mom. I’m happy. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”
Drex’s shoulders stiffen, letting me know he’s only listening to my conversation.
“You’re sure? With… them?”
“Very sure, Mom. I promise. Enjoy your time off from work, and live a little. Enjoy the boys. Be with them. Love them. Have fun with them. Life is short.”
“I love you, honey. Call me when you can.”
“I will. Make sure you’re not calling anyone. You got rid of you old phone, right?”
“Yes. I’m following all the rules. Just like that man told me to do. I haven’t contacted anyone at all from home, other than you. I never even called my old boss or your uncle back. They left messages the day we moved, and I forgot to call either of them before we left town. But I’ve refrained.”
It takes a second for her words to sink in, but when they do, my entire body goes cold.
“What? Uncle Marshall called you?”
A deadly silence falls over the room, and I feel the gaze of everyone in there swing to me. I put the phone on speaker just as she answers.