The Graduation Trap novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: Headphones

Braden stood in the doorway of Brennan's in yesterday's suit.

He looked as though he had not slept.

The dark lamp was still on over the bar, and Sullivan stood between us with his arms folded and his jaw set.

"Move," Braden said.

"No."

"I'm not here for you."

"Then say what you're here for."

Braden's eyes went past him, found me on the stairs with my sweater on backward, and stayed there.

I fixed it without hurrying.

"I told you I'd play it," he said.

"You didn't call."

"I couldn't." He held up the phone and the earbuds. "I've been up all night. I've listened to this recording for seven years through the speaker."

"And?"

"Last night I used these."

Nobody spoke.

Sullivan did not step aside, and Braden did not push.

"It isn't a trick, Joanna," Braden said. "I want you to hear it with your own ears. Then if you want me to leave, I'll leave."

"Why would I believe you?"

"You shouldn't." He swallowed. "I wouldn't."

I came down the last three stairs.

My legs were unsteady.

"Sullivan stays," I said.

"Fine."

"I hear it with him next to me."

"Fine."

He crossed the room, put one earbud in my right ear and the other in my left, and let his hand fall away as soon as he could.

He had not touched my face in years.

His fingers were cold.

"Press play," he said. "Then don't stop it until it's over. Even if you think it's over."

I looked at Sullivan.

He nodded once, and moved a step closer, so that his shoulder was against mine.

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