Clean Slate Read Online Free PDF Page B

his
attention. “I have some. On the bus. I figured I’d get scorched today.”
    “Oh.” His grin was sweeter this time, but no less arousing.
“Well, I know who I’m sitting with on the way home.”
    “You don’t have to.”
    “Oh, I think I will. I have a perverse enjoyment in
forcing you to talk.” He winked at her. “But don’t worry—I’m pretty sure
we’re all given an unlimited supply of words. I think you can afford to waste a
few on me.”
    She raised her chin so he could see her eyes beneath the
brim of her hat. Her expression was wary and she knew it. “Why would you want
me to talk?”
    “So I could listen.” His voice was softer when he added,
“The ones who don’t talk usually have the most important things to say.”
    Charlie butted in, “Y’all, Nikki just sent me a text
message. They’re just now getting off the ride they got in line for an hour and
a half ago. She’s pissed. She didn’t think there’d be so many people here on a
weekday and she’s ready to bounce.”
    Daisy looked down at her watch. “But it’s only three
o’clock.”
    “I know. We’re all going to meet up with the rest of the
staff at the brewery. Well, everyone except Gabby and her friend since they’re
underage.”
    “Oh. Uh, I know they’re sixteen, but if you want me to
keep an eye on them…”
    “You don’t want to do the tasting tour?”
    “I already did it. I actually don’t like beer.”
    “Why did you do it then?” Ben asked.
    Because I made a
goddamned fool of myself this morning.
    “I just think people should try things once,” she hedged.
“I’m going to go find my mom a souvenir.” She backed away before either man
could rebut.
    Ben, for some reason, looked conflicted. His mouth had
opened as if he was going to say something, but instead of speaking whatever it
was, he furrowed his forehead and pressed his lips together.
    “I’ll just meet you all at the bus in a couple of hours,
is that okay? Let everyone know. Don’t take off without me if I’m not there.”
She let out a nervous chuckle and waved as she walked away.
    Mute and now
anti-social. Someone should give me a tiara, scepter, and a sash because I’m
the lamest of them all.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
    Ben watched as Daisy scrambled off the bus and hurried to
her small car like a bolt of lightening. While most of the staff, groggy and
sluggish from the long hot day at the park struggled to get off the bus, she
seemed to possess unbridled energy all of a sudden. Where was she going in such
a hurry?
    When he’d boarded the bus at the very last minute with the
brewery crew, she’d been already tucked away in her seat with her back to the
aisle, headphones on, eyes closed, and oblivious to the commotion around her.
Although he’d been tempted to slide into the seat next to her and pepper her
with questions all the way back to Chowan County, he worried too much would be
lost in translation—that he’d come across as unctuous when he was trying
to be funny. He left her be, figuring patience was a virtue he should extol.
    In the window reflection, Ben watched Jerry, across the
aisle, raise his arms and stretch. He let a bear-like yawn contort his face.
“Hey, little brother, you want to head into Edenton and get dinner? Either we
eat out or we have frozen pizza again.”
    Ben pulled his gaze away from the window as Daisy’s car as
disappeared from sight. “I can probably cook something fast, or we can have
cereal. Whatever.” He brought his wrist up to eye level and stared at the hands
of his watch. Earlier than he thought. “I want to use the landline to call Moeder .”
    “What is it, two a.m. there?” Trinity asked as she edged
into the aisle.
    “Yes. She’s the night manager at the hotel. I want to
catch her on her second break.”
    “All right, cereal it is. Maybe I can get on the other
extension,” Jerry said.
    “She’d like that.”
    Once Trinity was nestled into the bend of the sectional
sofa with a bowl of