Only Ever Her by Whalen Marybeth Mayhew

Author:Whalen, Marybeth Mayhew
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503903890
Published: 2019-05-06T16:00:00+00:00

His girlfriend is pacing back and forth, wearing a path in the already threadbare carpet. Kenny watches her, since there is nothing else to look at. This apartment isn’t much of a home, which he never gave a great deal of thought to until his girlfriend started spending more time here. Her roommate is a librarian and likes the place quiet, for reading. She was displeased every time he was there, with his big, heavy steps, his tendency to absentmindedly hum. So, though they never really talked about it, his girlfriend gradually moved in with him. He supposes that has left her apartment very quiet, just the way the roommate likes it.

“And you haven’t seen this Annie person in . . . how long?” his girlfriend says. She does not stop pacing as she says it. Kenny doesn’t think she even expects an answer. He has answered this same question already, more than once. She stops pacing, which gets his attention. He looks up to find her watching him warily.

“Why won’t you answer me?” she asks, her words accusing.

“Because I already have,” he says. “A bunch of times. I wish you would believe me.”

“But you never told me about her!” She raises her voice, lifts her hands out to her sides in a display of exasperation. “I thought we told each other everything!” she cries, and he winces at the shrillness of her voice.

“She’s just someone from high school. From when I was a kid.” He rolls his eyes. “She’s not in my life anymore.” He is pleased with himself for the way he has phrased his words because they are all true. He likes feeling—being—clever.

“Then why were the police here asking you about her?” This is also a question she has asked more than once. The smile he felt that was starting to form is gone before it can make it to his face.

“I told you. She’s missing. They’re looking for her. Someone probably remembered that we used to be friends, so they questioned me. They’re desperate to find her, that’s all.”

He stands up, deciding that this inquisition is over. “Let’s go to Hops Haven, grab a beer, get out of the apartment.”

She glances over at their half-packed suitcases. “We were supposed to be on a trip right now.” She pouts.

“I know. And I’m sorry. But you heard them. They want me to stay in town.”

She squints. “But you don’t have to. You’re not under arrest or anything. They have no right to tell you you can’t travel.”

He thinks about this. He would actually love to get the hell out of this town. He thinks about how much he and Annie used to dream of exactly that. And now she is keeping him from being able to do so. “I can’t,” he says. He sighs and shakes his head. “If I do, it’ll make it look like I’m running, like I have something to hide. And I don’t.”

She crosses her arms, cocks her head at him. “You really don’t?” she asks.

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