An Intimate Deception by CJ Birch

Author:CJ Birch [Birch, CJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781635554182
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2019-04-01T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

Elle entered the Forresters’ living room to see Cindy squared off against one of the stubbiest men she’d ever seen. There was no other way to describe him. His girth almost exceeded his height. He stared up at Cindy, his bulk more intimidating than if he’d been seven feet tall.

The remnants of potato salad and tuna casserole blanketed the floor around them. The presentation had finished, and Chuck had stopped packing up to watch, along with the rest of the crowd. Janice gripped Cindy’s arm, for support or encouragement, Elle wasn’t sure.

Seam Holt raised his hands in peace. “I’m not here to ruin your get-together.” He swayed a bit. Drunk. That was just like Holt. The last time Elle had seen him, he’d been drunk too. But that was over a decade ago. He’d followed Jessie to Georgia Tech on a football scholarship but had ruined his knee first term. He’d come back the last term demanding a job on the Cavalier coaching staff. He’d made a big scene their last game. Coach Saunders told him to get lost and Holt had thrown a bucket of Gatorade at the man’s head. Sheriff Bailey put him in lockup for the night and that was the last time she’d seen him. She heard he’d gotten a job in Evansville with UPS.

“Your husband was a good man, I just want to acknowledge that and pay my respects.” He placed his hand over his heart at this last bit. His fingers were like sausages tied tight at the joints. Then he pointed to the ground. “Sorry for the mess,” he grumbled in a voice full of phlegm. He turned to leave.

As soon as the screen door slapped shut, Elle crossed the living room to follow him.

She found him standing next to a rented Taurus, fumbling in his pockets for his keys.

“Holt?”

He let his gaze run the length of her. “And you are?”

“It’s me, Elle.”

He blinked a few times, clearing the fog. Then his face came alive in a broad grin. “Elle the belle!”

He grabbed her in a bear hug, lifting her off the ground. He smelled like BO and whiskey. He bounced her a few times, then let her fall back to the ground.

The screen door slapped against the frame and Elle turned to see Neil coming out of the house. He leaned against the wall, watching, munching on a plate of crab cakes. He knew Elle could take care of herself. He’d seen her take down drunks twice her size with little more than the will to do it. But he wanted her to know he was there. Just in case. He even gave a little wave.

Elle turned back to Seam. “How are you?” She tilted her head as she asked.

He nodded toward the house. “You and Cindy get along okay, do you?” He found the key and twirled it around his thick finger. “Jess said he was coming down to visit you. He get in touch?”

Elle shook her head. “Nope. I haven’t seen him in years.

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