âShe ran to the left from where Iâm parked. I hoped sheâd come back this way. I followed her trail. But she must have turned and headed for the main road instead.â
Motherfucker!
I took off running in that direction instead of bashing Bradyâs face in. He was so damn calm about her being out there in the dark alone. What was he thinking?
âIâve got to get Ivy home,â he called out after me as if that was an explanation as to why he had let Willa run off alone. I didnât reply.
I just went after Willa. If she was on the road, Iâd find her faster in my truck. Heading toward it, I kept my eyes open for her anywhere in the darkness of the parked vehicles, but there was nothing.
This Place Will Turn on You without Question
CHAPTER 18
WILLA
The red Mustang was fairly new, and the girl with long dark hair driving it seemed safe enough. At least I wasnât going to have to walk the seven miles or so back to Nonnaâs. Although Iâd been ready to when the girl pulled up and asked me what I was doing walking in the dark on the deserted road.
Iâd told her that my ride was otherwise occupied at the field party. Sheâd asked me who my ride was, and when I said Gunner Lawton, she rolled her eyes, muttered, âFigures,â and offered to give me a lift to my house. She was about my age, but I hadnât seen her at school.
âThanks,â I said as she pulled back onto the road after I got in.
âNo problem. Itâs not exactly safe to be walking out at night. Where do you live?â
âYou know Gunner?â I asked.
She made a grimace and nodded.
âDo you know where his house is?â
She glanced at me before looking back at the road. âEveryone knows where the Lawton mansion is.â
âI live in the cottage to the back west corner.â
She looked at me again. âYou live in Ms. Amesâs house?â
So she was from around here. I wondered if she went to my school and Iâd somehow missed her. âThatâs my grandmother.â
A grin broke across her face. âWilla Ames has returned to Lawton.â
And she knew my name.
âYou know who I am?â It was a valid question, but I was still surprised.
She laughed. âI just moved back to town too. Although Iâve only been gone two years. I was here back then, when you, Gunner, and Brady were always together. Every girl in school wanted to be you. Two best friends like that. I was envious of you just like the rest of them. Even if we were just kids.â
None of the other girls remembered me. I was surprised this one did. âI didnât realize that.â I paused, thenglanced back at her. âThanks for the ride . . .â I left it hanging. Hoping sheâd supply me with her name. It almost felt rude to ask.
She grinned, and I felt comfortable with her. It was a smile that wasnât fake but wasnât complete, either. Much like my own.
âRiley Young,â she finally said. âThe townâs most hated citizen.â
Hated? That was odd. She was my age and looked nice enough. âWhy are you hated?â I asked her, wondering again why I hadnât seen her at school if weâd gone to school together when we were younger.
âNo one wants the truth when it doesnât suit. They prefer to weave lies and live in them. Itâs the way of this place. God knows why I came back.â
That wasnât an answer. But it was true. I knew all about truths and the way they hurt too much. Lies made it easier on the living. So Iâd suffered the lies told in order to cover the painful reality.
âItâs not just that way in this town. Itâs that way in life,â I replied.
She swung her gaze back to me almost as if she was studying me. Surprised by my response. I wondered how many sheâd said those same words to who disagreed or didnât understand.
âWhat brought you back,