Free Christy Barritt - Squeaky Clean 07 - Mucky Streak by Christy Barritt Page A

happened. He’d rocked my world and Riley’s world. To think that we’d ever be the same would be ludicrous. But I could hope to move on, to be a better person.
    If I didn’t , then Milton Jones would win, even from his grave. I couldn’t let him do that.
    As I stared at the phone, it rang. My heart raced for a moment. I knew it wasn’t Riley calling, but was it the Watcher? I put the phone to my ear and answered.
    “Gabby, it’s Vic Newport. You left me a message.”
    I straightened. “That’s right. Thanks for calling me back.”
    “I have time to meet with you tomorrow at ten. Are you available then?”
    “Ten? Ten works. Yes.”
    He gave me directions, and we hung up. At least I had that lined up. Maybe Edward Mercer’s best friend would have some answers for me.
    I stared at the phone another moment before deciding to swallow my pride. There was no room for pride in relationships. That’s what my pastor had told me once.
    My hands were shaky on the buttons as I dialed Riley’s number.
    The phone rang. And rang. And rang.
    But Riley didn’t answer.
    My heart fell. Had he seen my number and avoided my call? Could it truly just be a case of him not hearing his phone ring or being involved with something else? The thing was, it was seven at night. He should be getting ready for bed. He’d been turning in early ever since he came home from the hospital. Simple, everyday routines left him exhausted.
    I shook my head. I had to get control of my thoughts. I’d been down this who le feel-sorry-for-myself road before, and I didn’t want to go there again.
    Where did broken hearts go? I silently asked Whitney Houston. She hadn’t figured it out in her lifetime. But I was determined my story wouldn’t end the same way as hers.
    As the phone beeped, I found my voice. “Hey, Riley. Just calling to check on you. Call me back when you get the message. I’ll be awake.”
    I hung up, tucked the phone beside my pillow, and waited, convinced I’d done the right thing. Now I just had to wait for him to call back.
    In the meantime, I decided to call Sierra and check on things back in Virginia. Unlike Riley, she answered on the first ring. Make that, Chad answered on the first ring.
    “Hey, Gab. What do you think of the family?”
    “I think they’re a hoot. They could have their own reality show, for that matter.”
    “For real. Hey, listen. D id you already bill the Batemans again? My records are showing it’s been a month since the first bill went out …”
    We caught up on business for a few minutes. A moment of guilt panged through me. I should be there, helping to earn money. Chad seemed to read my thoughts.
    “I’ve got everything under control. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
    “You sure?”
    “Absolutely. Violent crime in the area seems to be down this week, so your timing in leaving was impeccable.”
    “Good to know.”
    “Alright, I know you didn’t call to talk to me. Here’s Sierra.”
    “ Hey, you,” Sierra started. “Get this. Some company came out today and put a new ‘For Sale’ sign up. I guess the other realtor wasn’t aggressive enough.”
    My heart thudded in my chest. “That’s too bad. I kind of liked the nonaggressive one.”
    “Yeah, me too. I keep wondering where we’ll move, if it comes down to that.”
    That apartment building was all I had tying me to Riley right now. If we were all displaced, I might never see Riley again.
    But that was doomsday thinking. I tried to push it aside. “Let me know what happens.”
    Sierra paused a moment . “You talked to Riley?”
    “Not yet,” I answered softly. “I left him a message. Hopefully , I’ll hear back from him tonight.”
    “Okay. I just wanted to ask. I’m sure he’ll call.”
    I wished I felt that certain.
     
    ***
     
    Riley had never called last night. I’d checked my phone several times to make sure I hadn’t missed something. But there was no denying the truth. He hadn’t tried to contact me,