by Jewel E. Ann
EPOCH
Book Two
by Jewel E. Ann
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales are purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2018 by Jewel E. Ann
ISBN: 978-1-7320897-4-7
Kindle Edition
Cover Designer: ©Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations
Formatting: BB eBooks
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Excerpt from End of Day
Also by Jewel E. Ann
About the Author
CHAPTER ONE
It’s not nice to talk about someone behind their back. That’s what they’re doing. Griffin, my mom, his parents … they’re in the other room, jotting down my straitjacket measurements between hushed words.
Swayze had a breakdown.
Swayze thinks Doug Mann killed Erica.
Swayze thinks Doug Mann killed some girl named Morgan Daisy Gallagher.
Shh … don’t speak too loud. We don’t want to wake her.
The police didn’t believe me. I know I sounded crazy, but I’m not. I can’t remember all the details, or even most of them, but he killed Daisy. And he killed Erica. Not all truths can be explained.
The door eases open.
“You’re awake.” Mom smiles the kind of smile one gives an unstable person. It’s the don’t-break-the-good-China smile.
I sit up, leaning back against the creaky headboard. Something between utter shock and complete numbness settles along my body. “I’m awake.” Glancing at the nightstand, I frown at the pill bottle. “I don’t think Dr. B would approve of you sharing your sleeping pills with me. They’re prescription.”
“Griffin didn’t want to have to call your psychiatrist yet, so we just gave you one to help you calm down. You weren’t yourself. The things you said didn’t make any sense. I think the news of Erica and seeing her body triggered something. How do you feel now?” She sits on the edge of the bed, taking a hold of my hand. Her fingers trace the diamond of my engagement ring.
Mom, I’m engaged.
Oh, Swayze! I’m so happy for you.
We can’t have that conversation now. Pain burns my eyes as the vision of Erica’s body continues to brand a permanent place in my memory. I can’t erase the picture of Doug’s bloodied face or Daisy falling. I don’t even know what universe I’m in. I feel like I know more than I should and yet nothing at all. It’s so messed-up. I’m so messed-up.
In love.
Engaged.
Angry.
Confused.
Terrified.
“What time is it?”
“Eight-thirty?”
“It’s late. You should get home. I’m fine.”
“Eight-thirty in the morning, Swayze.”
My attention shifts to the windows. Light seeps in through the holes in the blinds. Bright morning light. Not the dim evening sunset.
“I’m late.” I toss back the covers. “Where’s my phone? I need to call Nate.”
“Swayze—”
“My phone …” Jerking open the door, my feet slap against the wooden hallway floor. “Where’s my purse?”
“Swayz, what’s wrong?” Griffin jumps up from the sofa.
I spot my purse on the table and retrieve my phone. There are three missed calls from Nate and two texts.
Professor: You’re late. That’s not like you. I’m worried.
Professor: Taking Morgan to work with me. Please call me as soon as you get this. I’m worried.
“Swayz—”
I yank my arm away as Griffin’s hand rests on my shoulder.
“I’m late. How could you let me oversleep?” I call Nate, taking long strides to distance myself from Griffin, his parents, and my mom without acknowledging them before locking myself in the bathroom.
“Jesus, Swayze! Are you okay?” Nate answers.
“I’m so sorry. I’ll be there in thirty minutes. Something happened yesterday and I … I … I’m sorry. I’m on my way.” Perched on the cold toilet seat, I run my fingers through my hair and close my eyes. Even darkness won’t eradicate the haunting images.
“I have to get back to my class. Morgan is in my office. My colleagues are taking turns watching her. Are you okay? You don’t sound okay.”
The door handle to the bathroom rattles. “Swayz, open the door.”
“I’m on my way.” I end the call and open the door. “You can’t just drug me. I have a job. Responsibilities.” Shouldering past Griffin, I tear through every dresser drawer, looking for my clothes. I’m still not used to where my stuff is in his house—our house.
“You’re not going to work today. Have you forgotten about yesterday?”
I shove my feet into my jeans. “In spite of your efforts to drug me, no, I haven’t forgotten about yesterday.”
“It was one pill. I thought it was a better alternative than letting you self-destruct in front of everyone. I didn’t shove it down your throat. I handed it to you with a glass of water. You willingly took it.”
I hook my bra and tug on my T-shirt. “Did you tell me what it was?”
“Yes.”
I stop my frantic movements long enough to study him. He’s not lying. I can tell. It pisses me off that I can’t remember him handing me a sleeping pill. It pisses me off that I can’t remember what I did that warranted him feeling the need to sedate me like an out of control animal.
With the heels of my hands, I rub my eyes, shaking my head. “I’m sorry … I have to go.”
Griffin bends forward, putting us at eye level while sharing his minty breath with me. “I took the day off to be here for you. How can I do that if you’re not here?”
“I have to go.”
“Then I’m going with you.”
I laugh. “You’re coming with me to watch Morgan today?”
He nods. “You’re not driving. And if Professor Hunt knew what happened to you yesterday, he wouldn’t want you watching his daughter today.”
“I would never sacrifice Morgan’s safety.” I ball my hands in defense.
“It’s me and you today, Swayz. Deal with it
.”
On a sigh, I grab my socks and shoes.
“Where are you going?” Mom asks when we make our way to the living room.
“Work.”
Sherri and Scott shoot Griffin concerned looks.
“I’m going with her.”
They give Griffin deliberate nods, redirecting their worried looks toward me.
“I’m fine. Really. But thank you for your concern.”
“Call me when you get home later.” Mom hugs me. “We have a lot to discuss.”
Who knows what Griffin told them. I’ll deal with it later.
*
“Does Erica have family around here?” Griffin asks on our way to Nate’s office.
I stare out the window, seeing everything and nothing in particular at the same time. “Yes.”
“I’ll look for something on her visitation and funeral.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
He doesn’t say anything else, and I don’t spur on the conversation. At some point we’ll discuss Daisy. How can we not? But not now. I need to let these images speak to me before I can try to make anyone else understand.
I lead the way to Nate’s office, dodging students milling around the hallways. It was dead in the building the last time I was here.
“You’re getting a lot of attention,” I say as we take the stairs to the second floor. “These girls are wondering what your major is so they can change theirs to have all the same classes.”
Griffin shakes his head, but he can’t hide his grin. A pang of jealousy slithers into my conscience. Does he like these girls looking at him? Or am I looking for anything to distract my mind from Erica, even if it’s conjuring up ridiculous reasons to blame Griffin for being—Griffin.
“This way, rock star.” I nod my head toward the door to Nate’s office.
“I only want to be your rock star.” He slides two fingers into my back pocket, giving me a playful tug as I open the door.
“I don’t want a rock star. I like my grocery store guy.” And Erica alive again. If I’m making a list of things I want, she’s at the top.
“Hi,” Donna, the blowout lady, greets us. “She’s zonked.”
I glance at a sleeping Morgan in her car seat. “Thank you for helping Nate—er … Professor Hunt out. I feel really bad for running late today.”
She stands from his desk chair, closing her laptop and hugging it to her chest. “No problem. Here are the keys to Nathaniel’s car. He said you’d swap vehicles so you would have a base for Morgan’s car seat. He’s parked on the east side. Lot C. First row on the right.” Her gaze falls over my shoulder.
“Oh … Donna, this is Griffin. Griffin, Donna.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
“Keys?” I say to Griffin.
He fishes out the keys to my car. I toss them on the desk and take Nate’s keys.
“Well…” I shrug “…I’ll take it from here.”
Donna snaps out of her dreamy state. It’s the same way she gawks at Nate. “Good. Okay. Nice to see you and uh…” she serves Griffin a flirty smile “…meet you.”
After the door shuts, I turn toward Griffin. “A good ego day for you. Now you know where to come if it ever needs a boost.”
He smirks. “College. Work. Gym. Grocery store. It doesn’t really matter.”
I smile. It’s hard. With each step, the reality of what I saw yesterday sinks in a little deeper, permanently staining my memories and my conscience. The adrenaline that spurred me to get dressed and rush here has started to wear off.
Doug Mann is a killer.
My friend was murdered.
Daisy was murdered.
Nate didn’t tell me that. He’s never told me how she died.
“Where are you, Swayz?” Griffin pulls me into his arms.
“Erica’s dead,” I mumble.
He kisses my forehead. “I know. I’m so sorry.”
“He killed her.”
“If he did, I’m sure the police will figure it out. You definitely put him on their radar yesterday.”
“Maybe. Let’s go.” I pull away. “Before Morgan wakes up.”
Griffin lifts the infant carrier. My gaze flicks to his.
“If you don’t trust me to carry her, then we have issues to discuss.”
“I trust you with my life.” I smile, stopping short of telling him that means I trust him with Morgan, because whether it’s right or not, she’s part of my life.
Slinging her diaper bag over my shoulder, I open the door to the dull chattering of students and instructors flowing in both directions. Griffin, with baby in tow, garners as many hungry female eyes—if not more—than Griffin without Morgan.
“Swayze?”
I turn. Nate catches up to us just before we reach the stairs. He gives Griffin a stiff smile. I’m sure it’s the normal reaction to seeing a stranger taking off with his baby.
“Hey, I’m so sorry about this morning.”
He shakes his head as if to brush off my apology; his gaze shifts to Griffin every few seconds.
“Nate, er Nathaniel … I mean Professor Hunt …” Nothing awkward about this. I’m starting to sweat. “This is Griffin. Griff, this is …” Don’t fuck it up. “Professor Nathaniel Hunt.”
Too late. I fucked it up, and the expressions on both of their faces confirms it.
“Nathaniel.” Nate holds out his hand.
Griffin shakes it. “Nice to meet you.”
“So is everything okay?” Nate asks, looking only at me.
“Yeah.”
“No. Yesterday Swayze’s neighbor—her friend—was found dead in the apartment above hers.”
I shoot Griffin a slight scowl.
“Jesus … I’m so sorry. Swayze, why didn’t you tell me? You shouldn’t be watching Morgan today.”
Griffin has an I-told-you-so expression pasted on his face.
“I’m fine.” I’m as far from fine as one could be. “Griffin took the day off to help me out, even though he didn’t need to take the day off.”
Griffin’s expression doesn’t change. He thinks he knows what’s best for me. And if I weren’t so stubborn, I’d admit that it’s true.
“So …” I shrug. “We’re fine. Morgan will have double the attention. Double the care.”
“Unless, you distract each other.”
I try not to read into Nate’s comment, but there’s an underlying tone to it that bleeds distrust. Does he not trust me because of what happened to Erica? Is it Griffin? Does he really think I’d let anything happen to Morgan?
“We’re good, Professor. But thanks for your vote of confidence.”
Nate inspects me for a few more seconds before giving Griffin one final glance. “I have to get to class. Thanks for coming to get her.”
“It’s fine.” I shake my head like it’s no big deal. “See you later.”
*
“So this is the house my mom gushed over,” Griffin says, carrying Morgan’s infant carrier into Nate’s house.
“It’s just a house.” I wash my hands at the kitchen sink.
“You have no desire to live in something like this?” He deposits the carrier on the floor and inspects the great room.
No. And neither does the Nate I remember.
“I want to live with you.” I take Morgan out of the carrier.
She fists at her eyes and mouth, arching her back as I bring her to my shoulder. It’s weird seeing Griffin in Nate’s house, such a clash of my worlds.
“Having just enough?” He gazes out the window to the unarguably impressive yard, green and meticulously manicured. “Because that’s what living with me is—having just enough.”
Easing into the recliner, I grin. “Yes.”
“Two small bedrooms and a dinky kitchen?” Griffin moves on to inspect the mantle. My tatted bad-boy-looking man wears the hell out of those faded jeans and black tee that looks a size too small with his cut chest and thick arms.
“Y
es.” I chuckle, finding his glimpse of insecurity adorable.
“Used vehicles? Detached garage? A do-it-yourself lifestyle?”
“Do I really have to answer you?”
He glances over his shoulder, hands tucked into his pockets. “No.” He shoots me a grin before turning back around. “What’s up with the camera in the corner?”
“Nanny cam or security … I haven’t figure it out yet.”
“He’s watching us?”
“Potentially.”
“Audio too?”
I laugh, looking directly at the camera. “Yes. The professor is a little creepy.” Nuzzling my nose into Morgan’s neck, I find my baby voice. “Isn’t your daddy a little creepy? Yes … I think he is.”
She giggles.
Griffin turns with a grin on his face. “She’s cute.”
“Yes … she’s adorable.”
He folds his body onto the sofa, fingers interlaced between his widespread legs. “Are you ready to tell me who Morgan Daisy Gallagher is or was?”
I shoot a nervous glance at the camera. Nate should be in class, but … “It’s complicated.”
“Well, good thing we have all day.”
I hate these stupid cameras.
“Swayz, out with it. You completely lost it with that guy yesterday over the girl in that picture you showed us. I’m sure the police will revisit you as they investigate this guy. I need to know what’s going on.”
He’s already said too much.
“We’ll talk later.” I nod toward the camera, giving him a tight smile. “Okay?”
Impatience tugs at his mouth, but he lets it go. I don’t like how the thoughts in my head wedge their way between us. It scares me. The grim reaper disguised as little memories, crooking his finger at me, beckoning me to surrender. What if the day comes where I can’t separate who I know I am from the impostor’s voice in my head?
After lunch, Griffin rocks Morgan while I call my mom. She’s texted me several times, just to check on me and see if I’ve made an appointment with Dr. Greyson. I agree to make an appointment. It’s the only way to calm her nerves.
Wish someone would calm mine. It’s impossible to think of Doug Mann and breathe at the same time.
“Aww …” I smile at my guy when I see he’s rocked her to sleep.
Griffin with a sleeping baby on his chest … this makes me want one of my own. But it doesn’t lessen my desire to be with Morgan.
