Release Read Free

popped up and I checked the status of inmate Matthew Carlson. Incarcerated. I let out a breath, my shoulders relaxing. He wasn’t eligible for parole yet, but still I needed the daily reassurance that he was behind bars.
    My cat Libby jumped onto the couch, easing her gray head under my hand. I pulled her into my lap for a thorough petting before setting her back on the ground. I had time for a quick shower before going to the library. Spending half my work day in the Supersaver bakery made me smell like fresh baked bread and frosting.
    I showered, dried my hair and ate a sandwich before heading back down to my car to drive to my second job. It was also a quick drive—perks of small-town life.
    After nearly two years on the job, I knew my routine well. I shelved books for the first hour of my shift, covered the half-hour dinner break at the front desk and then shelved more books until they were caught up. On Thursdays I also read a story in the Children’s Department for Story Time, which I looked forward to all week.
    There was a light load of books today. I sorted through them, organizing them into stacks. I knew which books went in what row.
    Other people found doing the same thing over and over boring, but not me. I treasured the peace and familiarity of this place. I’d been back in Henley for nearly three years, and for the first year I’d gone straight from the Supersaver to my apartment, and rarely anywhere else.
    I’d taken things in baby steps back then. For the first few weeks, I hadn’t been able to stop myself from shaking when I was alone unless I was locked in my apartment. I slept fitfully, plagued by nightmares.
    Just going to the gas station had been something I had to build myself up to. It was outside my routine of work and home. After about six months, I started going to the library, which I remembered well from high school. A few months later, they’d offered me a part-time job.
    With a quick wave at the front desk clerk, Lila, I headed to the Children’s Section to reshelve books. The fresh scent of paper greeted me as soon as I pushed my cart into the first aisle.
    Shelving books made for a quiet, peaceful night, which was why I loved it. My life before returning to Henley had been anything but peaceful. My worst fear was my old life catching up to me.
    I’d run from it at all costs. I could never go back to that darkness again. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that anytime soon, but if it did, I was ready.

Chapter 2
    Orion

    Olivia eyed me from head to toe, shaking her head with disgust.
    “God, I’d kill to be as in-shape as you are,” she muttered.
    I laughed and arched my brows at her. “I’d be unemployed if I let myself slide. I have to work out six days a week this summer, you can join me if you want.”
    “Eh. That sounds less than awesome.”
    “It’s not that bad,” I said. “Just a few hours in the morning and I’m done for the day.”
    My sister wasn’t the subtle type. The kids were playing outside and Mom was at work, so she cut right to the chase in the first conversation we’d had alone since I got home.
    “Have you seen Amy?” She studied me, gauging my honesty before I’d even answered.
    “Nope.”
    “Don’t you dare even think about it. I forbid it. She’s a lying, backstabbing bitch. Do not sleep with her, Orion. You may think you can handle it, but—”
    “Liv,” I said, cutting her off. “I’m not gonna see her, and I sure as hell won’t sleep with her. I’ve moved on.”
    “Have you? You’ve been with other women, then? Are you seeing someone?”
    I shook my head and stepped back, leaning against the kitchen counter. “No. I don’t have to sleep with another woman to be over her. I’m done. We haven’t talked since the week after we broke up.”
    My sister regarded me skeptically. “Really? Because you were pretty upset when it went down.”
    “I was,” I agreed, shrugging. “But it’s been several months, and I’m over it now.