3

Dave slid into the driver’s side of his car and found his keys sitting in the cup hole. His cramped legs loosened out as he adjusted the seat back to its normal position—someone a few inches shorter than him must have driven home. Dave was taller than most people. Perhaps he’d called Georgie. He checked his phone—there were no outgoing or incoming calls and no messages sent after 9 p.m.

Dave knew if he’d been in the car, at least he hadn’t been driving—that was a relief. He just hoped to all hell that in some drunken stupor he’d not done anything out of character. He never blacked out. The thought that he was capable of abusing his own body and mind in such a way made him practically quiver with anxiety.

Desiree was once again missing.

He didn’t dare ask about her in case he aroused suspicion. Dave spent the whole day in a perpetual state of nerves. Schworst continued to deviously glare at him whenever he passed his desk, but didn’t say another word concerning their conversation the day before.

Maybe she got fired. Dave could only hope.

He turned his thoughts away to contemplate another pressing issue—how he would approach Samantha and bridge some sort of truce between them. If she were the one adding extra strife to his world, then he would have to find the middle ground. He was so incredibly disappointed in himself and the thoughts Samantha had voiced about him. Even if Georgie came to his defense, he still felt shameful.

Maybe he didn’t deserve them. He’d done everything he could to adapt to their lifestyle, but perhaps it was just not enough. Had his parents screwed him up as much as she seemed to think? Dave always promised himself he would rise above what they’d wanted him to be. He had lived this long into adulthood, thinking he made real progress. It was disheartening to hear he failed, especially behind his back.

Immense relief washed over Dave as the day came to a close. All he wanted to do was go home and sleep. He knew there were plenty of hours before that would happen—still, he couldn’t help but wish for it.

He didn’t even consider going to the bar. He needed to dry out, take a break. Apparently J’s advice came at a steep cost: sobriety. Something Dave had always valued and cherished. But his need to relax his mind, erase his dreaded thoughts, had also become a priority. But no longer—Dave would face the truth.