"I'm feeling fine right now."
My phone buzzed again and I checked it. Ash. Again. I had to call him back and let him know I was okay.
"My parents are expecting us this weekend," Bridgette said. "I'll make sure it's a relaxing evening. No major parties."
I shook my head. "Definitely not, or I won't go."
"Agreed. We'll just rest, eat a lot of yummy food and pretend the rest of the world doesn't exist for a few days."
"That actually sounds wonderful," I said, meaning it. "But Ash might come by. He wanted to spend time with me this weekend."
She smiled. "I can't get over you having a boyfriend. It's crazy!"
The nurse came in and handed me a stack of papers with a lot of scary warnings, and then we were free to leave.
"God, Brig, these hospital visits are going to break me. Now they want an MRI. How much do you think those run?"
She shrugged in a way only the rich can. "You have insurance through school, don't you?"
"Yeah, but it doesn't cover everything."
She linked her arm through mine. "I'm sure it'll be okay."
Right. I rolled my eyes but said nothing.
Ash called Cat that night, and once again paid a lot of money to have a conversation with his girlfriend. I ended my shift early; the doctor thought my late nights had contributed to my blackout.
The new medication made me loopy that week and school and studying suffered. I did get a lot of rest and started feeling better, to the point where I almost canceled my MRI, but Ash insisted I have it done and took me to the appointment. It seemed almost like a date, especially when we fooled around while I was in my hospital gown.
By Friday I was ready to leave town and head to Brig's house. It had been a few weeks since something truly awful had happened, and with no word from the killer I'd started to let my guard down.
A laziness I would soon come to regret.
Chapter Ten
The Bruiser
BRIDGETTE AND I talk much during the thirty-minute drive to Dover, which suited me just fine. My head hurt, and I didn't want to have to carry on a conversation, particularly one that would likely lead to fighting, since she was determined I quit my job and I was equally determined to make my own way.
Instead, I texted Ash, smiling as he recounted his own day and asked about mine.
The snow had almost melted away, but you could still see the cold in the air, our breath turning to white smoke before us as we carried our overnight bags into the mansion. Mrs. Beaumont greeted us both with quick hugs and cheek kisses. "Oh Catelyn, we've been worried sick about you."
"I'm okay, Mrs. Beaumont. Thanks for letting us stay for the weekend."
She flipped her hand dismissively. "Any time, dear. Any time. Our house is your house." She fidgeted with a string of pearls around her neck as her eyes landed on my new necklace. "Oh my goodness, where on earth did you get that?"
I looked down at the diamond heart. "Ash."
She raised an eyebrow. "I had no idea you two were so serious. That piece is worth a small fortune. It looks lovely on you." Her eyes darted around in a nervousness I'd never seen in her before. "Let's get you girls settled. Your father is in his study," she said to Bridgette. "We don't want to disturb him. He's been in a mood."
As if on cue, Mr. Beaumont stomped out, a frown on his face. "It's too late for that. You three are like cackling hens chattering about nonsense. Please keep it down, I have work to do."
He looked at me, his eyes unreadable. "Good to see you, Catelyn." Making eye contact with his daughter, he scowled. "You two try to stay out of trouble, will you? The Beaumont name has enough drama for a lifetime."
Mrs. Beaumont tried to apologize but Brig was already dragging me upstairs. "God! My dad just gets worse with age. I think he and Mom need a weekend away. A good lay would do them both good."
"I thought most kids didn't like imagining their parents having sex." I couldn't remember what I imagined at fifteen.
She shrugged and tossed a pale blond strand of hair over her shoulder. "They're humans. They have needs. I mean, I don't want to see it or anything, but I get that they need to get it on now and then. My dad's been spending more and more time in his office lately. I think Mom's feeling neglected."
"That sucks," I said, lacking any better response.
I went to the guest room and flopped on the bed with a novel, not even bothering to unpack my bag, instead shoving it under the bed.
I didn't get far in the book, and honestly couldn't remember what I'd been reading, when Brig came in and sat down next to me. "How's your head?"
"Fine."
"Good. Look, Catelyn…” She paused, then cleared her throat and plunged ahead. “I know you're trying to be independent and all, but you have a rich boyfriend." And queue the arguing. "You can't keep doing your phone job. It's gross. Besides, it's not fair to Ash, even you have to admit that." She said this like a teacher schooling a young child who's been naughty.