“This is fine.” He gave Gigi and Joy a small smile. “I just didn’t want to talk about this in front of Lex right now. She’s really shaken up.”
“Yeah.” Hope glanced out the window and spotted Lex and Grace sitting on the love seat and talking quietly. “I’m pretty sure Grace will be able to calm her nerves.”
“I hope so.” He took a long sip of his coffee and closed his eyes for a moment. “This is really good.”
“That’s because I spiked it with Irish whiskey,” Joy said with a wink.
He glanced at his mug and then chuckled. “That would do it.” Jackson took another sip, ran a hand through his dark curly hair, and then turned to Hope. “I tracked Spencer down, the guy who overdosed in Pointe of View Café the other morning.”
“How is he?” Hope recalled the tall young man and how out of it he was the day he’d collapsed right in from of them.
“He’s doing much better, but he’s not talking. He wouldn’t tell the doctors where he got the drug. Can you believe he claimed he walked into a room where they were smoking something and that’s how he inhaled too much?” Jackson rolled his eyes. “Like that’s going to be enough to take someone down. And where exactly was this party that was going on before ten in the morning? I think he was afraid of getting into legal trouble. He wouldn’t even tell me. Said he didn’t want to be the source of anyone else getting their hands on it.”
“I can’t blame him for that, I guess,” Hope said, trying to ignore the frustration causing her shoulders to tense. She understood Spencer’s reasons. But ignoring the problem wasn’t going to make it go away on its own. “Any leads on the other two who overdosed?”
Jackson nodded, his eyes suddenly looking tired. “Yeah. I got their names from my gossip sources. I was planning on hitting them up tomorrow, if I can find them that is.”
“I really appreciate this, Jackson,” Hope said, meaning it. His thoughts were whirling, but they weren’t exactly coherent. Mostly he was longing for his bed and the opportunity to put everything out of his mind. “Why don’t you go on home and get some rest,” she told him. “We’ve got it from here.”
“You have no idea how much I want to do just that,” he said, frowning. “But there’s something else I need to tell you.”
“Okay.” She glanced at both Gigi and Joy. They were giving him their undivided attention, both of them with worried expressions on their faces.
“That thing Lex and I were going to do, to out Peggy Pitsman?” he said with a grimace.
“Yeah?” She’d completely forgotten that they’d promised they had something on her. Now that her daughter was in the hospital, going after Peggy was out of the question, no matter what she’d done to Hope. “Whatever it is, please can you just keep it to yourself for now?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. It’s too late. I already gave the story to the Premonition Perspective. It’s supposed to run tomorrow.” His expression turned pained. “I called the reporter and tried to stop it, but she said it already went to print. It’s too late.”
“Oh, damn.” Hope closed her eyes and sat back in her chair. “How bad is it?”
“It’s bad,” he breathed and let his head drop back. “I feel really shitty right now.”
“You couldn’t have known,” Gigi said, trying to soothe him. But Hope was certain nothing was going to help at that point. She could almost feel the guilt seeping off of him.
“What is the article going to say?” she asked, realizing that they just needed to rip the bandage off.
“Peggy Pitsman had an affair with the girls’ basketball coach when we were in high school. The story is about how she slept with him in order to convince him to start Whitley instead of Lex.”
Hope was speechless for a few seconds, her mouth working as if she were going to say something but no words came out.
“You can’t be serious,” Joy said, her eyes wide. “Peggy Pitsman slept with Mr. Gale? The same Mr. Gale who was married to Brenda, the one who brought homemade cupcakes to all the booster meetings and was just about the sweetest person who ever lived?”
He nodded, looking miserable. “I’m just glad she won’t have to see the story tomorrow. She didn’t deserve how he treated her.”
Brenda had passed away a couple of years ago after suffering a massive heart attack.
“This isn’t just a rumor is it? Do you have proof?” Hope finally asked.
“I have proof. I promised you I would.” He pulled out his phone, tapped a few buttons, and then showed her a picture that was clearly Peggy and Mr. Gale wrapped up in a compromising position in his office. There was a whiteboard behind him that had West Coast Tournament Champs and the year scrawled across it. “I took this photo myself when we were still in school. Afterward, Lex and I spied on them a lot. We both heard her offer him a roll in the sack as long as Whitley started in the next game. And sure enough, despite having a horrible season, Whitley started instead of Lex.”
Joy let out a gasp and covered her mouth. Then she narrowed her eyes in pure anger. “I remember that. Lex was so upset. And then when the team was down twenty points, he put her in, and she nearly killed herself to get them back in the lead. That happened a number of times that season. We never understood why. Mr. Gale is getting a piece of my mind tomorrow, that’s for sure.”
Hope stared at her friend and almost laughed. It wasn’t as if Lex was her daughter. Though they all loved her. Lex was family, and it was no surprise Joy was protective. Hope just couldn’t believe she’d remembered all of that. “I didn’t know you were such a basketball fan, Joy. Did you go to all the games?”
“Yes. I met Grace there and we watched Lex’s game and then Kyle’s which was right afterward. I’ve been a huge fan ever since, though I prefer the college games to the pros. It’s just more interesting.”
“Huh. How come I never knew that?” Hope asked.
“Basketball wasn’t your thing. You were busy building your business.” Joy smiled at her.
“I guess so.” Hope cleared her throat and turned to Jackson. “Thanks for letting me know. I don’t love that this is coming out tomorrow. But it can’t be helped, so try not to stress about it, okay?”
“I’ll try.” He sucked in a deep breath. “I just feel so petty right now.”
“Don’t. She started this by spreading untrue rumors about me.” Hope shook her head in disgust. “And isn’t it just so predictable that she projected her immorality on me.”
“That’s always the way it goes down, isn’t it?” Gigi said. “They’re never original.”
The was a murmur of agreement, and then Jackson slipped out the back door to say goodnight to Lex.
The three witches stared at each other.
“Now what?” Joy asked. “Should we be doing more interviews around town? Or do we just sit back and wait for Jackson to talk to the two other people who overdosed?”
“I think we wait. Tomorrow’s going to be ugly when that article comes out. I think it’s better to lay low,” Hope said.
“Got it.” Joy turned her attention to her coffee mug.
Gigi sat back in her chair and said, “Well, that was one hell of an initiation into the coven. But when do we get to start hexing people?”
Hope and Joy stared at her.
She started to laugh. “I’m just kidding. I only hex people on Sundays.” She gave them a cheeky grin and stood. “I’m headed home. Call me if you need me to cast a flatulence spell on some jackhole. It’s my specialty.” Then she waved and strode out of the house as if she hadn’t just dropped the bomb that she was skilled at giving people gas.
Hope started to chuckle and then dropped her head to the table when her chuckle turned into a giggle fit. Joy joined her until they both had tears in their eyes. Hope sat up straight, wiped her eyes, and said, “I’m really going to enjoy her.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Oh. Em. Gee. Polly will loooove these,” Skyler exclaimed while staring into the case a
t Four Paws Barkery. The shop had everything from freshly baked treats to one-of-a-kind dog and cat outfits that had been made by the owner.
“Cake pops? Those would work great since they have sticks that we can arrange in a floral foam, but we’ll need to be diligent that no pups get too excited and try to chomp that down too. It will cause waste we don’t need.”
“Hope,” he said, looking at her like she’d lost her mind. “The sticks are edible too. See?” He pointed inside the case to the sign that was hard to miss.
“Ahhh. Oops. I guess I’m just a little distracted. Sorry.” Hope had almost forgotten that they’d made a date to check out the barkery, as well as the party supply store. She’d been so worried about the story that was coming out in the Perspective that she hadn’t even checked her appointment book that morning. In fact, if he hadn’t called to tell her he was running late, she might not have remembered at all.
“What’s with you today?” he asked, studying her. “Your energy is really off. Like, so off that I’m thinking we need to get massages after this to snap you out of it.”
Hope let out a little moan at the thought of someone working the tension out of her upper back and shoulders. “There really isn’t anything I’d like better.”
“Good. We’ll go after we’re done here. Lance will find a way to fit us in.” He rubbed his hands together as if he were warming up to perform some delicate surgery. Then he just pulled his phone out and called their favorite spa owner.
The bell chimed on the door, and heavy footsteps sounded behind them. The scent of antiseptic permeated the air, making Hope wrinkle her nose as she turned to see who was barreling through the store like a bull in a china shop.
Peggy Pitsman. And she was headed straight for Hope.
“Hope Anderson! I know you’re responsible for this. How dare you do this to me, especially after what happened last night. You truly are the devil, aren’t you?” She waved the Premonition Perspective in Hope’s face while pointing a shaky finger at her.
“Whoa, back the eff up, lady. No one talks to my friend like that,” Skyler said, stepping between the two of them and forcing Peggy to retreat.
“But she’s spreading vicious rumors about me,” Peggy cried.
Skyler raised one skeptical eyebrow. “The way I heard it is that you were the one making up lies about Hope. Projection much?”
Peggy pressed her lips together, and her face turned bright red.
Hope was certain that if she kept it up, her head would explode.
“I am not projecting,” Peggy said through clenched teeth. She craned her neck to see around Skyler. “I expect you to have a full retraction printed in the next issue with an apology. Better yet, you march down to the local radio show right now and tell everyone this is a complete fabrication.”
“Hold on right there—” Skyler started.
“I’ve got this,” Hope said, cutting him off and then giving him a ghost of a smile. Hope loved and appreciated that her new friend was defending her with complete conviction, despite not knowing if she was behind the article or not. Clearly, they were going to be great friends. “Peggy, I didn’t have anything to do with that article being written or printed. If I asked for a retraction, they’d show me the door. And as far as the radio program, what makes you think anyone in this town would believe me anyway? Last I heard, I was hiring caterers who serve spoiled food and using sex to book my clients. I’d think you’d want someone a little more respectable to champion your virtue.”
“Damn. She told you,” Skyler sing-songed and snapped his fingers at Peggy, almost making Hope laugh. But then she sobered when she remembered that Whitley was likely still in the hospital.
Peggy crinkled the paper in her fist and then threw it on the ground. “I know you’re behind this. Mark my words; I’ll find out how, and then everyone will know what an uncaring bitch you are.” One tear spilled down her cheek, and she angrily brushed it away.
“I was sorry to hear about your daughter. How is she today?” Hope asked gently.
“None of your business,” Peggy spat. “I can’t believe you’re asking me that after your friend’s niece gave her those drugs.” Then she thought, if only that were the case, then I could make sure this never happens again.
Hope studied her, letting her own anger go. This was a mother in pain, and she was lashing out at her only real target. That was fine. Hope could take it. “We both know Lex didn’t give your daughter drugs. She was the only one who was there to help her when she went down because Whitley’s so-called friends had run out on her. Why don’t we call a truce and try to figure out who might have supplied her with drugs?”
“My daughter doesn’t hang out with druggies,” Peggy insisted, refusing to listen to reason.
“Right,” Skyler said from behind them.
Hope agreed with him but didn’t push it. “Peggy, how is Whitley? Is she going to be okay?”
Peggy shot daggers at her with just her gaze. But finally, she let out a sigh of disgust and said, “Yes. She should come home tomorrow.”
“I’m really glad to hear that,” Hope said. “I mean that. I hope she recovers quickly.”
Peggy nodded and turned on her heel to leave. But right before she reached the door, she turned again and stared Hope in the eye. “I need to find out who’s behind these drugs. Will you help me?”
Hope wanted to deck the woman. Just a few moments ago, she’d asked Peggy for information on where her daughter might have gotten drugs, but she’d completely ignored the question. Nothing good would come from the two of them working together. “I don’t think so. I don’t even know why you think I’d know anyway. I don’t do drugs. Why would I have any information?”
“Please, Hope,” she said, and tears shone in her eyes. She sniffed and continued, “Everyone knows you asked Gabrielle, that reporter from the Premonition Pointe News, to look into the overdoses in this town. I don’t know who else to ask for help. The police made a report, but they said unless someone comes forward there isn’t much they can do. I just want to protect my daughter. Please, I don’t have anyone else to turn to.”
Damn, how can Hope say no to that? Skyler thought.
She couldn’t, but it had more to do with the desperation in her tone than the actual words. And since Hope already had people helping her try to find the source of the drugs, she nodded.
“Really?” Peggy said, her eyes wide in surprise.
“Yes, but I have conditions,” Hope said, crossing her arms over her chest and staring Peggy down.
Peggy gulped. “What conditions?”
“First,” Hope held up one finger, “you will take out an entire page ad in the newspaper to apologize for spreading the rumor that guests got food poisoning after attending my events.”
“I didn’t start that rumor,” Peggy insisted. The way she glanced away and turned red again would have been enough to convince Hope that she was lying, but when Peggy thought about the day she’d told Yasmeen an elaborate story about five people running to the bathroom at the same time, she unknowingly confirmed it.
“Yes you did. I bet Yasmeen would back me up if pressed,” Hope said.
Peggy grimaced. “Okay, fine. It did start with me. But it was a joke. Yasmeen wasn’t supposed to take it seriously. I was just frustrated because one wedding shower canceled after the bride got cold feet and the baby shower I’d just done was a complete bust after only one guest showed up. I was having a bad day, okay? I didn’t think Yasmeen would take me seriously. I really am sorry.” Her shoulders slumped as she added, “I’ll get them to run a statement tomorrow.”
“That settles number one then,” Hope said with a nod and held up two fingers. “Secondly, you need to stop telling people I sleep with my clients. It’s a blatant lie, and if you persist, I’ll file a defamation lawsuit.”
Peggy’s posture straightened, and there was conviction in her tone when she said, “I absolutely didn’t start that rumor.”
Hope studied
her and opened her mind, trying to get a glimpse of what the woman was thinking. Hope bristled when Peggy’s thoughts came through loud and clear. Starting a rumor isn’t the same thing as repeating it, right? Hope rolled her eyes. This woman was something else.
“You slept with your clients?” Skyler asked in an awed voice. “Now I know we’re going to be besties. I love a dirty girl.”
“Skyler,” she said, unable to control the amusement that rolled through her. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t sleep with my clients. If you don’t want to be my bestie anymore, I understand.”
He let out an exaggerated huff. “Well, that’s disappointing, but I guess we can still give it a go.”
She chuckled.
“What about Lucas King?” Peggy asked, eyeing her.
Now Peggy was just crossing the line. “Lucas and I have a long history, as you well know. But I’ll be damned if I let you pry into my private life. What Lucas and I do is no one’s concern but our own.”
“Except when you go skinny-dipping right out in the open where everyone can see you,” Peggy said, clearly unable to help herself.
“Maybe try minding your own business for once,” Hope said. “Are we done here? I’ll do whatever I can to find out who is supplying our young people with ashe, and you’ll print a retraction about the food poisoning in the paper and stop spreading rumors about me, regardless of where they originate. Deal?” Hope held her hand out to the other woman.
Peggy hesitated, staring at Hope’s hand. Then she slowly reached out and shook it. “Deal.”
Hope and Skyler watched her go until the door closed behind her.
“She’s a pill,” he said.
“Tell me about it.” Hope sank down onto an ottoman that had the words Puppy’s Domain stitched on the side.
Skyler sat next to her, stretching out his legs and crossing them at the ankles. He was so handsome and stylish that he was almost painful to look at. Meanwhile, Hope was wearing leggings and an oversized sweatshirt that made her look like she’d given up on anything other than comfort.
Witching For Hope: Premonition Pointe, Book 2 Page 15