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“I’ent interrupted quietly, “but Shane, you have to finish this You were paid a huge advance for this, half of it has already been deposited into your account”
“I’ll return it”
“And what aboutI have kids in college You’re putting h Coluirl, the one in junior high? The dancer? Her dance team travels and competes because you write these books that allow me to underwrite her team You pay our bills”
“You’d handled six other books—”
“And I’ve spent that money, too”
“What about your other authors?”
“Shane, no one is as big as you You’re my star You’re my business”
Shane closed his eyes and held his breath, trying to see a way through There had to be some kind of option here
“Drive to White Fish,” Mark said with forced cheer “Ski Get fresh air You’ll feel better You’ve got cabin fever, and it’s natural You’re at that point of the book It happens with every book”
Shane didn’t speak
“Shane, buddy, listen to me You’ve never not met a deadline Never Ever In ten years you’ve never once been late on anything You’ll coh You’ll be fine”
“It’s different this time”
Mark was silent a moment “How different?”
“Career changing different”
“Don’t say that Don’t ever say that again You’re brilliant Your books are works of art—”
“I don’t need the bullshit”
“It’s not You’re huge And not just for me, but for the publisher You make them a lot of money”
“I don’tone”
Silence stretched across the line Finally, Mark said, “How much time do you need to make it work?”
Shane didn’t answer
Mark sighed deeply “I’ll let Saul know We’ll get you an extension It’s not a big deal Don’t putto help The book will be done when it’s done, and that’s fine”
Mark hung up
Shane sat back in his chair and looked at the newspaper headlines and thought about how ithis sister off at a play date to find his family slain
It must have been hell
Itto recreate it
It was late afternoon when Jet finally finished in the schoolhouse and the sky was darkening as sheher vehicle, she discovered that one of the doors was slightly ajar and she prayed the open door hadn’t drained her battery It’d happened once already It sees at one ti left on, or the hatchback door slightly open
Cli behind the wheel she tried to start the car, but itsilent
She griood There was no way she wanted to call Harley and Brock now
She puain
Nothing
Jet sat for a oodness it wasn’t snowing, but it was cold, and there wasn’t a lot of traffic on this side road on a Saturday
Why didn’t she go ho there? Why had she insisted on staying until every grade had been recorded?
So frustrating
She’d have to call Harley Good Lord, she dreaded that call
Reaching for her phone she tapped e to Harley’s text fro She passed Shane’s name and paused