In the Unlikely Event

“I’ve never cheated,” I growl.

“Yet,” he says flatly.

Bastard.

“Why didn’t you tell me you guys were working?” I ask with my mouth full, ignoring Mal’s third-grade taunting.

Richards is currently trying to count something with his fingers, or perhaps he’s counting his fingers, and looks completely out of it. It’s obvious he and the coke are on intimate terms, and that he’s under the influence of multiple other substances.

So help me God, I live in a house where Mal is the responsible adult.

“Because there’s enough drugs in here to sedate the entire country of China,” Mal clips, looking at me incredulously. “Thought it might be smart not to document it.”

“I have a job to do,” I say through gritted teeth.

Mal’s eyes light up. “Really? You mean a real one, other than walking around with a camera, looking pouty and thoughtful and silly?”

We’re locked in a stare down, and I want to snap.

To snap because he screwed someone in the room next door.

Because he is being the meanest version of himself, and then some.

Because he is a cheater and a tool and a liar.

But most of all, to snap because he is ruining this opportunity for me by not letting me do my work.

“We need to talk.” I manage not to lurch forward and strangle him. Barely.

“I’ve tried talking to you plenty of times, and the answer has always been no. Welcome to your own medicine, Rory. Tastes like a year-old used condom, does it not?”

What is he talking about? He tried to talk to me? When? Where? I’ve been here all along. I’d know if he tried knocking on my door. The guy is unhinged. Maybe he had a few sniffs of the good stuff, too.

“Man, your sex slave has a mouth on her.” Richards sprawls on Mal’s couch, snatching a dildo-shaped bong and lighting it up, his eyes crossing as he stares at it. “I hope you’re not paying her.” He coughs out a cloud of smoke.

“Only in compliments,” Mal deadpans.

“Still overpriced for how cheeky she is,” Ashton mutters, throwing me a look. “She is dickable, though. Are you sharing?”

Mal shrugs, chewing on the bottom of a lighter. “Certain holes.”

“Thanks, I’ll make sure to note this on your accolades when I file the sexual harassment suit,” I say cheerfully.

That makes Ashton cough and lean forward. He is finally snapping out of it.

“Come on now, Sex Slave. Don’t be so uptight.” He giggles to himself. “I just said the word tight.”

I need to get out of here.

I have to. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in jail, and they just might bring me to the point of double murder. There are too many witnesses around. No, thank you.

I storm back to my room, get dressed, grab my backpack and camera, and head out into the bitter cold of late December. They’re still where I left them on the couch and recliner when I move out into moss and green hills and naked trees, making my way down the stony path from Mal’s cottage to Main Street.

I put my earbuds in and let the words of “Drunken Lullabies” by Flogging Molly seep into me. I kick empty bags of chips and crushed cans of soda along my way down to the village. I hate this place. I should just buy a ticket and join Cal in England.

That thought makes the noose around my rubber-ball heart looser. Now that’s a promising prospect. Staying in Callum’s parents’ house. They live in Virginia Water, Surrey. I’ve seen pictures of their estate, and it makes Buckingham Palace look like a studio in Williamsburg. Though being there does nothing for my career.

I’ve spoken to his mother on the phone. To his sister, Lottie, too. They all seem nice and kind and cheerful and sane.

Sane. That’s what Summer meant when she pushed me into Callum’s arms. I make a mental note to talk to her. I promised to call every day, and so far I’ve only managed to text her a few times. I’m already breaking my promise.

I would give up a lot to have someone to talk to right now, but I don’t want to worry Callum over nothing. I need to calm down, chug more coffee, then go back and take pictures of these clowns (Photoshopping out any evidence of Richards’ drug use).

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I take it out, only to see my mother’s name flashing. I tuck it back into my jacket with a sigh. Clearly, I’m okay. I sent her two emails reporting as much. Can she really blame me for not wanting to talk to her? All she does is make me feel guilty about coming here.

When I get to the village, I buy a pack of gum from a newsagent. As I reach into my pocket to dispose of the change, I hear chattering behind me—two chicks who sound around my age, maybe slightly older. I don’t turn around, even when one of them clearly has a Northern English accent. Liverpool is my guess, though I’m hardly an expert.

“…can’t be her.”

“Look at her scar, Maeve. It is her.”

“She’s supposed to be American.”

“I heard an American accent.”

“Stop being ridiculous! Why would she…”

I steal a quick glance—barely noticeable, just to see what they look like.

Maybe they’re friends of Kathleen’s. Perhaps they know me through Mal, who told people about my birthmark, even though he knows how self-conscious I am about it. Either way, it’s in poor taste, and at least one of them—the leggy blonde with the familiar English accent—is in no position to judge me, seeing as she sleeps with a married man.

I grab a napkin from the register, stuff it into my pocket, turn around, and flash them a smile.

“Let me give you a direct answer: yes, I am her. What did you hear? That I stole Mal from Kathleen? That my mom is a bitch? That my late dad is a no-show drunk? Been there, heard that, so let me add another rumor into the mix. This one is also true, so listen carefully—I’m living with Malachy for the next two months. Under the same roof. But I won’t be screwing around with your friend’s husband. I want nothing to do with either of them, so feel free to pass your message to Kathleen.”

And by the look of it, anyone else in this village. It’s official, I’m the pariah of this godforsaken town, thanks to my lovely host.

Astonishment drips from their faces, their mouths limp, their eyes comically wide. The blonde is wearing tight, white jeans and a huge pink faux-fur coat. Her friend is a petite, curvy brunette, with farmer’s boots and a neon green bomber jacket. They’re both nursing steaming cups of coffee.

“How dare you talk about Kathleen like that!” The blonde gasps theatrically, snapping out of her shock.

Never mind the fact that she’s sleeping with Kathleen’s husband.

“Let me guess, you’re here for your inheritance from your father?”

What? Why would I come here eight years after he died?

“I’m not interested in my late father’s money,” I clip out.

I wish he’d been broke, so people would stop accusing me of going after his fortune. No wonder Mal hates money so much. It’s everything people think about.

“Right,” the blonde snorts. The brunette shakes her head, elbowing her friend.

“Stop it, Maeve. I think she really doesn’t know. I’m Heather, and this is Maeve.”