Picturing Macon on the other end, having come up with some new devilry to tempt me, I answer without looking. “What now?”

I’m teasing, and I know he’ll get that. But there’s a protracted silence, then a soft, feminine laugh. “And here I thought you’d be happy to hear from me.”

My entire world screeches to a halt. “Sam?”

I almost can’t believe it. I glance at the bedroom door, my heart trying its best to pound its way out of my chest. Part of me wants to run and find Macon, tell him that Sam is on the phone. But she’d only hang up, and he’d probably blow up.

“The one and only.” Her voice is light with false bravado.

My back teeth clench. “Where are you? Where have you been? What the hell, Sam?”

“Whoa.” She laughs, but it’s tight with annoyance. “I didn’t call to get grilled.”

“You had to expect it,” I retort. “I mean, come on!”

Sam sighs expansively. “Yeah, I know. I know, okay. I’m a shit, and this is bad.”

“Bad? Macon could have been killed. This is beyond bad, Sam.”

“Hey! I didn’t know that lady was a stalker. She said she was press and only wanted to get a good picture.”

“And that’s okay? To sell him out to the press?”

There are times I can’t believe we were raised in the same house. How is it that I’m more like my parents and not of their blood, and Sam is so very off?

“Oh, please, Dee. Macon is famous. Having his picture taken is part of the job. They offered me good money for something he’d have to deal with anyway.” She pauses and has the grace to sound sheepish. “Or that’s supposed to be how it went.”

“Well, it didn’t. And as soon as you realized how badly you messed up, you ran instead of dealing with the consequences.”

“I never claimed to be perfect,” she says sullenly. “I know I’m a jerk here. All right?”

“And the watch?” My heart is thudding, hard and pained.

“I needed money. I panicked.”

Sure. Right. Great.

I take a deep breath, but it doesn’t work. I want to strangle her. Slowly. “You have to come back.”

“I know.” So very sullen.

“And return the watch. Please tell me you still have his mama’s watch.”

“I have it. I couldn’t . . . I didn’t sell it, all right.” Her pissy tone irks. “I’ll come back soon and fix everything.”

Somehow I doubt it. “Soon? Where are you?”

She’s silent for a second. “Stop asking, Dee. I’m not going to tell you. And that’s not why I called.”

“No?” I want to laugh, but I’m not at all amused. “Then why the hell did you call?”

“You said you were living with Macon.”