Micki stirred, her hair still blanketing her face. She twitched her hand and opened one eye just enough to see Savannah lying next to her. Savannah pretended not to notice. When she felt Micki rest her palm against her exposed skin, her first instinct was to pull back, afraid that Micki would think she’d planned it that way. But for reasons she couldn’t articulate that early in the morning, she didn’t. She closed her eyes again and let the feeling of Micki’s thumb moving back and forth, slowly, gently wash over her. Her stomach tumbled, and her pulse quickened. She felt Micki skate her fingers over the cavern of Savannah’s belly button; Savannah’s breath unconsciously hitched. So, now Micki would know she was awake. And letting Micki openly explore her body.
Micki continued her feather-light touches, her index finger tracing a line from Savannah’s sternum to the top of her panty line. Savannah’s appreciative “Mmm” escaped from her lips before she could rein it in. She pushed and pushed at the thought that kept trying to break through, to ruin the moment. What does this mean?
“Mom!” A voice came loudly from down the hall, shuffling footsteps accompanying it.
Micki grunted loudly as Savannah shoved her forcefully out of the bed and onto the floor.
The door burst open, a pajama-clad Eliana standing in the doorway.
“We have no juice.”
“I’m sure we do, Eliana; why don’t you go back downstairs, and I’ll be down in a minute.”
Micki groaned, her knees crunching as she pulled herself up to all fours.
“Micki?”
“Hey, El. Sorry about the juice. I finished it last night before bed.”
“Um, what are you doing in my mom’s room?” Eliana narrowed her eyes first at Micki, then at Savannah.
“Oh, I was just looking for my sunglasses. Couldn’t find them in my room.” Micki stood, pulling her T-shirt down a little tighter.
“Under Mom’s bed?”
“Yep.”
“Why would they be there?”
Micki shot a glance at Savannah, who sat with the covers up to her chest. She couldn’t hide her amusement at watching Micki trying to outmaneuver a seven-year-old. She didn’t feel the need to step in. Micki was on her own.
“During one of my house checks last night, probably.”
“But it was night.”
Micki threw her hands up in exasperation. “And they’re not here, so I guess you’re right. It was a stupid place to look.”
Eliana nodded slowly, apparently satisfied. “So…can you go get more juice?”
“Sure. I can drop you off at school as long as your mom’s okay with that. We can get some on the way.”
Eliana watched them both for a second, then turned and walked out of the room, her brow furrowed.
When Eliana’s footsteps reached the downstairs landing, Micki turned back to Savannah. “That hurt, you know! You could have just told me to get up.”
“There was no time. She was coming, I panicked.” Savannah shrugged, smiling sheepishly.
Micki smiled back, trying to straighten her hair with her fingers. “So, when we were lying there…”
Savannah jumped out of bed, fumbling with the clock on her nightstand. “It’s what time? I have to get in the shower. Please be sure to get something with a low sugar content when you stop for juice.” She hastily grabbed a few articles of clothing and closed the bathroom door behind her.
* * *
The Early Bird Kitchen was buzzing as usual when the lunchtime rush settled in. Micki sat at a table in the back corner, Chloe across from her. They were trying to devour their wrap specials in record time so Chloe could get back to the office without exceeding her strict forty-five-minute lunch break.
“I know you can’t say much, but do you have any idea yet who’s doing this to Savannah?” Chloe asked, dragging a French fry through her bloody pond of ketchup.
“Few leads but nothing concrete.”
“It’s so scary,” Chloe said. “I don’t know what I’d do if it was me. They’ve even been in her house?”
“Yeah. Not since I’ve been staying there, I don’t think, but yeah, before that.” It wasn’t necessarily true. The incident with the gin played on her mind, but she couldn’t be certain Savannah hadn’t forgotten to put the stopper back in, even though she said she had.
Chloe looked up slowly. “You’re staying there? At Savannah’s house?”
Micki cringed, feeling as if she’d already said too much. It was like walking a tightrope. She was a little surprised Rebecca hadn’t said anything to Chloe yet. “Yes, just for the time being. If I can catch this psycho in the act, it’ll be a lot easier for everybody.”
“Um, is that procedure? For the police chief to hole up at the victim’s house during an investigation?” Chloe raised her eyebrows and took a bite of her sandwich.
“Of course not. But she has a young daughter, and it’s a small town, so I have kind of a vested interest.”
“Aha. So, if any crime takes place where a child is involved, you’ll be moving in with the family. Got it. I have to be honest, though; I know Savannah can be such a raging bitch toward you, I’m surprised she even allowed you into the house. She’s a good boss, she really is, but her personal interactions suck out loud.”
Micki suddenly felt uncomfortable. Talking about Savannah in that way felt oddly disloyal. “Actually, she hasn’t been bitchy with me at all. I mean, the usual digs and snark, but that’s just who she is. I think we might have hit a turning point in our relationship. You know, in our association with each other or whatever.”
“Well, of course she isn’t being bitchy with you. She needs you. It wouldn’t do any good to be an ass to someone who is actively trying to help.”
“It’s not just that, Chloe.” Micki pushed her hair behind her ear. “I think that we might be embarking on something like…friendship?”
Chloe winced, a tight smile on her lips. “I love you, Mick, you know I do. You’re one of my best friends in the world. And I like Savannah. But has it crossed your mind that she might be using you, for lack of a better word? She can be very manipulative.”
Micki felt heat rising in her cheeks. “I don’t think so. Not this time. And why are you saying all of this? I thought you told me things were going well? What’s your problem?”
“Whoa, what’s wrong? Are you offended? I wasn’t saying you are naïve or blind; it’s her I was talking about.”
“I know who you were talking about.”
Chloe threw down her napkin, their lunch taking an awkward turn. “Okay, well, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I have to get back to the office. Lunch is on me,” she said, taking a few bills out of her purse.
They said their good-byes, but Micki stayed in the booth, nursing a giant glass of strawberry lemonade. Why did she get so upset at the things Chloe was saying? It wasn’t a secret; Savannah could be…mean. And manipulative. And cold. Chloe didn’t say anything Micki hadn’t said a hundred times in the past. Micki closed her eyes and rested her head on her fingertips as she tried to get her emotions in check. Her sleeping arrangements could be clouding her judgment. Being so close to her, touching her body, smelling her skin. Micki wasn’t thinking clearly. She had to put a stop to it. That night, whether she wanted to or not, she would sleep in the guest room. Her mood soured just thinking about it. She wanted to just be able to climb in with Savannah, really, really wanted to, but after Savannah’s abrupt avoidance that morning, and all those foreign feelings that were sweeping over her at the diner with Chloe, Micki had to stick with the decision that it would be best if they slept apart. She found herself craving Savannah’s touch, and if she were honest, wanting more, and that could only end in heartache and confusion. She didn’t allow herself to process the intent behind it, just chalked it up to hormones and an insanely attractive woman in such close proximity. Micki had always been adept at lying to herself. It was one of her sharpest abilities.
* * *
The sound of hammer
ing caught Savannah off guard as she walked up the front steps to her house. She opened the door to find Micki on the other side, a nail in her mouth and tape measure up against the wall.
“Micki, why are you hammering nails into my wall?” Savannah asked, incredulous.
“Alarm system,” Micki said, her words muffled around the nail sticking between her lips.
“Maybe you could have, I don’t know, asked?”
Micki finished mounting the bracket, ignoring Savannah for the time being. She tested the sound, pressing a small button on the back of the unit. A high-pitched wail immediately filled the house, leading Savannah to cover her ears. Micki turned it off.
“Well, the sound works. It’s a motion detector. We can set it before bed and turn it off when we leave. How come you’ve never considered having a professional alarm installed?” Micki asked, gathering up her tools.
“Never needed it,” Savannah said sadly. “I’ve never felt anything but safe in this town. Obviously, that has changed dramatically.”
“The new locks were installed this morning. Here are the keys.” Micki pulled two keys attached to a red carabiner out of her pocket.
“Thank you.”
Micki touched her shoulder. “You’re welcome. Oh, and I made the alarm code easy to remember. The happiest and most thrilling day of your life.”
Savannah raised an eyebrow. “I think Eliana’s birthday will be an easy code to crack, no?”
Micki shook her head, grinning widely. “No, it’s not Eliana’s birthday. It’s 1120. The day I officially moved to Winter Valley.”
Savannah rolled her eyes back so fervently she thought they might be lodged there permanently. “You are really a piece of work.” She couldn’t help but smile at Micki’s obvious glee.
“So, hey. I feel like we should get out of the house tonight. Just, you know, away from the stress. Do something that Eliana would enjoy, too,” Micki added hastily off of Savannah’s look. She wasn’t suggesting a date, for God’s sake.
“Like what?”
“Don’t sound so enthused. Well, I was thinking mini golf?”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no? Just like that? No?”
“Yes, just like that. First of all, it’s fifty degrees outside. Second, I’d rather scrub my dryer’s lint tray with a toothbrush.”
“Oh, stop. It’s indoor mini golf, and your daughter will love it. We can have ice cream after.”
“Even with such a tempting consolation prize, I can still comfortably say no.”
Eliana walked in, slinging her backpack on the designated hook in the foyer.
“Hey, El! Want to go mini golfing with me and your mom tonight?”
Savannah glared at her.
“Are you serious? Mom wants to go mini golfing?”
“She totally does! And then we’ll have ice cream when we’re done.”
“Yay! Thanks, Mom!” Eliana ran to Savannah and threw her arms around her waist. “Even on a school night!”
Eliana raced up the stairs to change into something more comfortable. Savannah started to follow her but turned back to Micki.
“I may have to kill you for this.”
“That’s a risk I’m willing to take. Since your hair didn’t catch on fire, and your face didn’t melt off, I figured you secretly wanted to go. Once you whack your ball into the mouth of a T. rex, you’ll be hooked.”
An hour later, Savannah pulled her Infiniti into one of the open spots in front of Goomer’s Goofy Golf and wondered what horrific things she had done in her life that made karma decide to reward her with this. The gigantic clown on the sign waved back and forth with a club in one hand and a bright blue golf ball in the other.
“I’m pink!” Eliana yelled, selecting a neon pink ball from the rack of endless golf balls.
Micki stood at the register and paid for the three of them. She held the scorecard between her teeth while she tested out a few clubs for length.
“I’ll just watch,” Savannah said, rubbing her forearms.
“Mom!”
“Nope. Come on, live a little. Pick a ball.” Micki motioned at the rack as if she was selling a car.
Savannah tried to shoot daggers at Micki again, but her stupid crooked smile was too endearing to really feign annoyance. Savannah just huffed at her and picked out a shiny black ball.
“Great choice! Matches your soul.” Micki smiled at her while she picked out a bright white one, contradicting Savannah on purpose.
“Matches your mind.”
“Let’s go!” Eliana yelled, dragging Micki by the hand to the first hole. She overshot the hole but happily chased her ball down the green.
“Do you want to go?” Micki asked.
“I’ve never wanted anything more.” Savannah placed her ball on the small rubber mat and gave the ball a weak smack. It rolled slowly down the green and stopped about two feet from the hole.
Micki took a practice swing, then another, then shifted her position. Eliana and Savannah both yelled at her to hurry up.
“These things take time!” She shot her ball perfectly toward the flagpole. Just a few inches shy.
By the seventeenth hole, Savannah had loosened up and, though she would never admit it, was actually enjoying herself. Eliana was having a great time, and Micki seemed to be having fun, too. Maybe Micki was right; maybe they did need a night like this, where nothing existed but the three of them. No stalkers, no selectmen, no roommates. Just the three of them.
Savannah teed up, aiming for the big gray hippo’s tongue. If she could just get it in the center, she could get close to the hole. She putted with precision and stood up to watch the ball’s path.
“Mommy! You got a hole in one! You got a hole in one!”
Savannah ran down to the hole where her ball was lolling back and forth in the tin cup. She put her hand over her mouth and jumped up and down. Eliana threw her arms around Savannah’s waist and squeezed her tightly. “Micki! Did you see that?”
“I did! That was amazing!” Micki put her hand in the air for a high five, but Savannah ignored it and hugged her instead. “Our only hole in one of the night!”
“I can’t believe it! I thought I hated this game, but I’m actually pretty good at it!”
Micki nodded. She looked down at the scorecard and grimaced. She quickly folded it in half and shoved it into her pocket. “Yeah, you did great!”
Once they were finally on their way back home, Eliana rested her head on the back seat, tired from the day and full from the ice cream sundae she’d just put away. Savannah would never normally allow that without an occasion, but she decided to make an exception. Just once.
The taillights in front of them were hazy with the blanket of fog that hung in the air. Savannah cast a glance at Micki, who was scrolling through the pictures she’d taken at Goomer’s.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For tonight. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”
Micki nodded, watching Savannah stare straight ahead. “Me, too. I’m glad we were able to just enjoy each other. You know, for Eliana’s sake.”
“Right.”
By the time they pulled into the driveway, Eliana was out for the count. Micki carried her in, handing her to Savannah at the top of the stairs. Good thing she was still light.
Savannah poked her head into the guest room after she left Eliana’s room, opening the door just a little. She watched as Micki pulled down the comforter on the guest bed, her lip curled. “Micki? Do you want me—oh? Are you sleeping in here tonight?” she asked, swallowing hard. She stared at one of the throw pillows cast haphazardly onto a chair.
“Well. I just thought that maybe we should be careful. Because, you know, boundaries can get crossed, and I just want to—”
“No explanation necessary, really. It doesn’t matter to me either way. If you feel your boundaries have been crossed, then it certainly makes sense for you to stay in the guest room.” Ice
dripped from her words. Savannah hoped Micki couldn’t see the hurt that she was certain filled her eyes. She sought to remain stoic.
“No! It’s not that, Savannah—”
“Good night,” Savannah said, closing the door firmly behind her.
She fought the urge to slam her bedroom door. The mature thing would have been to just tell Micki, but there was a definite pattern between them when it came to feelings. They both sucked at expressing them. For a split second, Savannah berated herself for thinking that Micki would be any different than anyone else. And then she remembered that they weren’t in a relationship, and Micki was under no obligation to sleep next to her. It didn’t matter. Savannah couldn’t rationalize the sting of betrayal away. It might not have been reasonable, but reason didn’t seem to be her strong suit lately. Clearly, whether they wanted to or not, they needed to have a conversation. Savannah climbed under her covers, trying to force her eyes closed and her mind to just go blank. The latter refused to cooperate.
Chapter Sixteen
Plink. Plink. Plink.
Eliana mustn’t have turned the faucet handle all the way off when she brushed her teeth earlier that night. Micki smothered herself with a pillow, refusing to get out of bed to go shut it off. If she could just fall asleep…
Plink. Plink. Plink.
Damn it. She threw the pillow off and breathed in deeply. She couldn’t stop thinking about Savannah, so obviously rejected but so closed off. Walled up. Again.
She wanted to go to her, but Micki couldn’t shake part of her earlier conversation with Chloe. Was Savannah just experiencing a form of misplaced gratitude? She wasn’t one to lavish praise on people, ever, so maybe in some fucked-up, subconscious way, this was her way of thanking Micki for being there? The thought made her shudder.
But no. She noticed the way Savannah had looked at her, the way her body had hitched in anticipation when Micki was running her fingers over her stomach. They didn’t touch like friends; even the simplest pat on the shoulder was filled with subtext, and Micki was confident it wasn’t one-sided. Savannah certainly wasn’t an open book, by any means, but Micki didn’t feel it was even a possibility that this thing between them was imagined. They were both way too old to be acting like shy teenagers stuck in an endless loop of will-they-or-won’t-they. The more Micki thought about it, the angrier she became.
Secrets in a Small Town Page 10