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Chapter 1

RYAN

“Will Joe be there?” I askedthe new lock and second deadbolt to my apartment door

Shaw sighed heavily, causing the phone line to crackle “No He said he’s got a es a businessover the New Year?”

Apparently Joe

So the truth

My little sister, Shaw, had called to ask me if I wanted to spend New Year’s Eve with her and her husband, Dex, at a cabin in Lake Tahoe Dex’s dad Joe knew the guy ned the place, and he’d offered Joe the cabin over the holidays for free He’d decided not to use it but had said Dex and Shaw should and invite a friend or two to go with them

“Dex is pissed He wants to spend New Year’s Eve with his dad, you know It’s his dad’s year”

Dex alternated the holidays with his parents since they separated when he was only four years old

“Well, I’m in” Hell yeah, I was in The only reason not to be was Joe, and he wouldn’t be there

“Great!” My sister sounded relieved “I did not want to leave you alone”

She’d said the sa about me, I’d spent an aard few hours with her, Dex and Joe until I feigned feeling ill and left early

I regretted leaving But not just because I’d left my sister early on Christmas

No, I regretted it for an entirely different reason altogether

But alone on New Year’s Eve? “I would have been fine,” I lied Maybe four days ago I would have been fine Not now Not after what happened

Gil packed up his tools, shooting me a look that said, ‘I’m done’

“Sweetie, I’ve got a call co in I need to take Call me later to discuss the details, yeah?”

“Yes!” Shaw yelled excitedly “Wait until you see this place”

We hung up and the lack of her voice suddenly made me feel lonely and exhausted