Writing On The Wall (The King Brothers Duology #2)

Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

IVY

I leave Gran’s and head back across the road to find Opal and Gail peering into my car with their hands cupped against the glass like a pair of curious meerkats.

Dang it.

“Yup…I told ya, Gail. The girl’s definitely living in her car.”

As I approach, Opal turns to face me, one fist on her hip and the other resting against the side of my Toyota. Meanwhile, Gail continues inspecting the contents of my car, doubt etched on her brow as if she can’t believe I’d do something so foolish. I wish I wasn’t about to disappoint her.

“I’m not living in my car,” I begin.

Opal says nothing, but the slits in her eyes narrow as she dials up the intensity in her stare. How do older people gain this skill?

Congratulations on reaching the age of sixty-five! Sneezing might throw your back, but it’s not all bad—You’ve gained a superpower: when you stare at young people, they spill their guts!

“Not anymore .” I emphasize, folding my arms .

“Oh, sweetheart.” Gail rounds the car to wrap her arms around me, enveloping me in her flowery scent. She’s always the good cop. Opal, on the other hand, relishes her role as the intimidating bad cop. I know she’s soft on the inside, but she’ll make you work hard to reach that part of her.

We sink down onto the steps that are still bathed in evening sun, the bees buzzing in the oasis around us. I’m sandwiched between Opal and Gail, each with an arm looped through mine.

“Look, Opal,” Gail squeaks, shaking the link of our arms. “It’s our favorite mailman…mhmmm…the suspenders on that one. Makes me wanna just walk up to him and snap ‘em .”

“I’ll be sure to bring you fresh underwear and soap when you’re in jail. Now will you pipe down so the girl can tell us her story?”

“Right, sorry, Ivy.” I catch her executing one more ogle at the poor mailman before she scoots closer.

“What’s goin’ on sugar?”

“You sure I can’t ask that nice mailman to come over and do some push-ups?” I deflect.

“Gail!” Opal scolds when she catches her friend’s eyes straying back to the mailman.

“Oh, I’ll catch him tomorrow. Spill,” Gail demands.

“Ugh! Fine.” I wipe my hands down my face. “Ross has landed himself in a bit of trouble.” Opal snorts but I continue. “He’s trying, I swear. But his problems may have sorta spilled over into mine this time.”

“You gave him money again, didn’t you?” Opal accuses.

“He swore he only needed it for a few days.”

“Oh, honey,” Gail coos in a comforting voice, rubbing circles over my back.

“And last month, I found out that the owners of my complex were selling my unit, so I had to move. But I’d already given all my money to Ross and couldn’t afford to pay a deposit on a new place. I hadn’t planned to sleep in my car this long. It just sorta happened.”

“Ivy June Marsh, did it not cross your mind to ask for help?”

“I honestly didn’t think I needed help. Ross was supposed to repay me weeks ago. I’ve only spent a few nights in my car. That’s like a road trip. It’s no big deal.”

“What about Ember? You don’t think she’d want to know about this?”

“Uh-uh, you can not tell Ember. She has enough on her plate. I don’t want her worrying about me. Swear you won’t tell her, y’all, please?” I turn to each of them, unashamedly giving them my best puppy eyes.

“Fine, but you should’ve come to us. And you’re sleeping here tonight.” Gail nods.

“Thank you, but I actually have a solution to all of this, for now.”

Opal lifts a chin to the retirement village. “You get hitched to one of the old geezers about to kick the bucket while you were over there?”

“Ew, no. Gran gave me a house,” I say proudly.

“Well, excuse us! You’re going to have to back way up, missy.” Opal’s eyes grow wide as she blinks at me.

I give them a recap, leaving out the faking-dating bits. It’s just easier. Lord knows I’ll screw up if I have to constantly remember who knows what, so I also tell them I’m currently in a very casual relationship with my coworker.

“I have the keys to my new home and a place to sleep. Problem solved.”

I also skip over the part about my new home possibly being unlivable, because I’ve had enough vulnerability for one night. I’ll have a roof over my head and hopefully a working toilet. I can deal with the rest later.

I sigh. “Opal, your robin just pooped on my car.”

“I swear they’re spawn sent by that witch across the road. Speaking of Agnes, did you find her and tell her to stick it where the sun don’t shine?”

“Stick what?” Gail chimes in.

“Anything’ll do.” Opal’s bottom lip arches and she shrugs. “A shoe comes to mind.”

She turns back to me, gaze sharp. “Well…did you find her?”

“That’s a negative,” I fib. “Also I’m not comfortable telling a complete stranger to suck it.”

“Coward,” Opal grunts, and Gail snickers while my head falls to her shoulder. It truly is a marvel how I’ve kept this secret from them for this long, although I’m still a little worried they’ll murder me with hard stares and elbow pokes when they find out my beloved Gran is their sworn enemy.