You Shouldn't Have Come Here

by Jeneva Rose

I turned the shower back on, letting the cold water run over my skin again. It was either that or I’d have to rub Grace out of me.

The less he said to her the better.

Joe’s presence was like Miracle Grow for the lump. There was something off about him. He seemed like a man with a guilty conscience. It gave me that sinking feeling like when you sense something bad is going to happen—a primal instinct for impending doom. Like a cold sweat. Hairs that stand upright. Goose bumps on hot skin.

The two walked side by side, playfully pushing each other and laughing like a pair of brothers would. Then again, looks could be deceiving. I’m sure Abel loved Cain right up until the very end.

I think Grace being here made him think we could do brotherly things again, that we could move forward, put the past in the past, as they say. But past was just a word. The memories we carried kept it alive, and memories were just stories we told ourselves. Joe and I had two very different stories. He had forgotten his, but I hadn’t forgotten mine.

I forced a smile and hoped her tagging along wouldn’t be a mistake.

“He’s my brother, Maxie.” I tilted my head. “Ted Bundy had a brother,” she quipped. “Half brother.” I turned back toward Grace and Joe, watching him closely. Maxie had a point. Maxie always had a point.

“I got it,” Joe interrupted, immediately walking over to the bar. He needed to be liked. People that didn’t like themselves always sought approval from others. And I knew Joe hated every fiber of himself. Guilt will do that, rot you from the inside out.

“Yeah, he sure knows how to take care of all types of animals,” Charlotte teased. If Grace realized the dig, she didn’t react to it.

Deep down, I actually thought she should leave. My family brought nothing but trouble. Bad things happened to us and to the people we cared for most. We were cursed. Our ranch was cursed, and our land was cursed.

I enjoyed the way he looked at me like I was the only person that existed in the world. It was also odd though because I had only been a part of his world for six days.

“I should be the one buying you a present. It’s your birthday.” “You’re my present, Grace.” Calvin smiled wide. I knew he intended it to be sweet, but I found it kind of sad. I smiled back anyway.

The dynamic between Betty and Calvin was like mother and son, but Betty wasn’t his mother. His parents were dead. But Calvin never told me how they died. What happened to them, and were they the reason Calvin’s birthday was, as Betty put it, complicated?

I liked those eyes on me. That’s where they belonged.

I’d fix it later, or maybe I’d leave it there to serve as a reminder of this very moment. The moment Grace became mine.

The sounds that escaped me were new, but I would remember them forever, for they marked a moment in my life . . . a moment that split everything I knew in two: a beginning and an ending. Grace was the middle, the good part—the white cream between Oreo cookies, the heart of a medium-rare steak, the center of a Tootsie Pop. She was all those things and more.

“Felt like I had been drugged or something.”

I knew what fine meant. Fine meant it wasn’t fine, but it was fine for now.

And if I was being honest, I’d tell Grace she was technically my ex too . . . if one-night stands counted for anything.

I went back to stirring the brussels sprouts that had partially burned during our make-out session. I figured they were still salvageable. Most things were salvageable if you put in a little extra effort. A bit of burn would give them a nice, charred flavor.

“Whatcha making?” he asked. “Brussels sprouts.” I finally looked over at him. His eyes were right where I thought they’d be—on me. “That’s odd,” Joe said. He swigged his beer. “Why?” “Because Calvin hates brussels sprouts.” My lips parted but I quickly pressed them together. “Oh. I didn’t know that.” Calvin had lied to me about something as stupid as liking brussels sprouts. I’m sure it was because he didn’t want to hurt my feelings. But it left me wondering what else he was lying about.

“Calvin’s girlfriend, Lisa, died one year ago today. That’s why we’re all treating him like glass, as you put it.”

I knew about Lisa, but I didn’t know it had happened on his birthday. That must have been tough. One thing stuck out though—Joe’s choice of words and Calvin’s. Joe had called Lisa his girlfriend, while Calvin had referred to her as his ex. Maybe it was easier to mourn her that way.

Why had he been so apprehensive about answering my question? I’d be careful if . . . If what? The words cut short swirled around my brain.

“Did you guys ever find that missing girl? Sheriff was over here the other night.” “Nope.” Wyatt shook his head. “But we did find her car broken down on a back road a couple of miles outside of town yesterday. The car was cleaned out—except we found her cell phone under her driver’s seat, hence why her sister wasn’t able to get ahold of her. We’re thinking she hitched a ride with someone, and hopefully, she’s just having a hard time getting back home with no cell or car.”

“They just now found her car?” I tilted my head, making eye contact with Wyatt. “That seems odd since she’s been missing for a couple of weeks, right?”

It was Charlotte. “Happy birthday,” she called out. Her face was bright, her smile was wide, and her makeup was apparent, unlike the other times I’d seen her all fresh-faced. Actually, wait—her makeup looked exactly like mine: long, dark eyelashes, glossy lips, and rosy cheeks. On top of that, she was dressed like me, in blue jean shorts and a black crop top.

I took a seat and watched Calvin work the grill while Charlotte stared at him longingly. How could he not see how she felt about him? That girl was more than in love. She was obsessed. Maybe he knew that. And maybe he liked the attention. But why the hell was she dressed like me? I looked down at my clothing, then back at hers, and considered changing into something else. But imitation was the sincerest form of flattery.

It’s ironic how the ones you care for most are the ones that are most easily able to crawl inside you and do damage.

“It seems like they had been messed with. They were buzzing all around, trying to sting me, and they ain’t usually like that.” “Betty, they’re bees. They’re not trained. What do you expect?” Joe crumpled up his face and flipped a burger patty on the grill. Betty scratched at her neck and shot him a glare, but quickly softened it. “You wouldn’t understand, Joe. Your dog doesn’t even know its own name.”

“Don’t go saying this to anyone else.” He lowered his voice. “But when I took Grace to Dr. Reed after she fell off the horse, he mentioned Betty hadn’t refilled her prescription in two months.”

Dr. Reed took a swig and his eyes found Betty. “Oh no, what happened to you?” She shook her head and looked at her blotchy hands. “Bees got me. Not like them at all.”

me. “It’s funny how something that once had a purpose can end up in the trash.”

Charlotte let out a huff and returned the broom and dustpan to their place. She stomped across the kitchen and threw open the sliding door. Before exiting, she turned and looked at me. “I hope Joe keeps you here permanently.” I drew my brows together. But before I could ask her what she meant by that, she slammed the door closed behind her.

My eyes went to the house after I closed up the grill. I couldn’t see Grace, but I knew she was in there—probably heating up her nasty brussels sprouts or helping Betty with the honey cake. She was in my house, and I liked her there. It’s where she belonged no matter what Betty or anyone in this town thought, and I was determined to keep her. “Look at you. My brother’s falling in love with a city girl.” “That girl is going to rip your heart out,” Wyatt said. “Trust me. Charlotte did the same to me.” “I hate to say it, but Wyatt has a point.” Joe lowered his chin. “She’s leaving in four days.” “Not to sound cliché, but I think I can get her to stay.” I immediately regretted the words as they left my mouth. Wyatt and Joe glanced at one another and then gave me a puzzled look. I knew Grace wanted me. And I wanted her. And at the end of the day, there was nothing complicated about that. “What are you going to do? Lock her in the basement?” Joe chuckled. “I got an extra set of handcuffs,” Wyatt teased. Shaking my head, I laughed with them but it was forced because I was dead serious. I swigged my beer, imagining a life with Miss Grace Evans. I hoped I wouldn’t have to imagine it for much longer.

While Betty sliced her honey cake, she hummed “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” by Tiny Tim; I found it quite unnerving.

“Char, are you drunk? I can take you home.” “No, I’m not fucking drunk, Calvin!” She kicked at the gravel and peered up at me. “Can’t you see it?” A blank look came over me. “See what?” “Grace. There’s something not right about her.” Char’s eyes widened as she spoke. “Why is she here? It doesn’t make any sense.” “She’s on vacation. How many times do I have to say that?” “A million because it doesn’t make any sense.” She took a small step toward me and put her hand on my forearm. “Please, tell me you see that.” I sighed. “I don’t.”

“Stand right here,” I said, letting go of her hand. From the picnic basket, I pulled out a lighter and lit a circle of ten tiki torches. Grace gasped as the area came to light. I smiled and pulled a blanket from the basket, laying it out in the center of the torches. Her blue, blue eyes looked like crystals.

A gentle breeze blew out six of the tiki torches, leaving just enough light to see only part of her face.

I had never felt that with anyone else. We were in tune with one another. Our bodies craved the same touch, the same energy. We were like animals tearing into one another. Grace was the best I ever had. And thinking that made me wonder if I was the same for her.

“We had gone out for my birthday. He drove us back because Lisa and I had a little too much to drink. He hit an elk going sixty not far down the road from here. Lisa was gored by the elk. She died before the paramedics arrived. I walked away with cuts and bruises. Joe suffered a traumatic brain injury. He was in a coma for a week. He doesn’t remember anything about the night of the accident. Doctors said he probably never will.” I looked to Grace, gauging her response. “That’s awful. But why would Charlotte say something like that?” “Some people think Joe hit that elk on purpose.” “What? How could they think that?” “Because the police didn’t find any tire marks, meaning he never hit the brakes.” I folded in my lips.

“I just remember the car going sixty and then not going at all. I was in the back seat, half asleep, so I didn’t see it. I wish I could sit here and say there’s no way my brother could have done that, but I really don’t know.” “And he’s not in jail for vehicular manslaughter?” “He got a year in county but was released after six months. Since it was an animal-related accident, they went easy on him. If he hadn’t been going five over the speed limit, they wouldn’t have charged him at all.”

“That night changed Joe.” I looked over at Grace. “When he came out of the coma, he wasn’t the same.” “How so?” she asked. “He’s angry, reckless, impulsive. It’s like there’s a darkness in him, festering. I’m not sure what he’s capable of now. I think killing someone changes you.”

Joe had demons. Deep down, we all did. The things we think we’re the least capable of are the things we end up doing, and they are what define us. The town redefined Joe that night. To some, he was a victim. To others, he was a murderer.

I squeezed it tight. “I wouldn’t let anything ever happen to you. You’re safe here with me. I promise.” I had every intention of keeping that promise, but intentions were just partially laid plans, and they were subject to change.

He got to his feet and walked slowly, heading in the direction of the dead animal. Sheriff Almond and I followed behind. I was sure he didn’t believe we were telling the truth. He probably thought Calvin was my captor, and I had developed Stockholm syndrome.

“Mountain lion attacks are extremely rare.” He glanced at me. “You’re lucky to be alive.” I pressed my lips firmly together and wrapped the sheet a little tighter. “Something must be wrong with this one,” Sheriff Almond added as he gestured toward the animal. “That’s what I was thinking,” Calvin said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen one on my property before.” He scanned the surrounding area.

Calvin moved his hand on top of my bare knee, and my body instantly tensed up. Last night when he touched me my skin warmed, now I felt a coldness run through me.

They say love makes you blind. This wasn’t love though. This was lust, and it makes you downright stupid.

“Well, in my experience mountain lions go for easy prey, the weak. That girl don’t belong here and even nature is trying to tell you that.” She shook her head.