Page 101 of Hannah and the Hitman
Higher and higher I went. My arms went in circles, and I felt like a bird learning to fly for the first time. It wasn’t as easy as it looked. The chances of me missing the roof and breaking my leg–and other parts of my body–were pretty high.
“Holy shit, that’s a serious trampoline,” Dax said, his head going up and down as he followed me.
After about ten seconds, I was literally flying through the air. I saw the lemonade stand on the corner and probably New Mexico in the distance.
I had to help Hannah and I’d do whatever that required. I gave one more hard bounce, this time toward the side of the mat and I launched myself right over the Highcliff roof, then onto it. I landed with a thump and a tumble. I’d never make it to the Olympics, that was for fucking sure. All I wanted to do was get to my girl.
68
HANNAH
There was a thump overhead.
Everyone’s gazes tipped toward the ceiling.
“Stupid squirrels,” Dad muttered. “Can I borrow that gun? I need to finish them off.”
“You are not making any more stuffed squirrels,” Mom ordered my dad. “All our friends already got them for the holidays.”
That thump sounded like a big-ass squirrel.
Perry set the tray on the coffee table. No one touched the drinks.
Briana remained behind the couch.
“I said I would work for you,” I said to Mr. Reggiano. “I said Jack was out of the picture. I think we can leave my family to their punch.”
Sal eyed the punch warily.
Another thump came from above.
“Marcia,” Dad whined.
“If we’re done here, I have to work on my sermon,” Perry said, grabbing a glass and walking out.
Sal sputtered, clearly stunned no one was scared of him or his gun.
Briana finally popped up from behind the couch. “Yeah, I’ve got to work on my routine. You sure know how to pick ‘em, Han.” She eyed Sal as if giving him one last consideration for flirting, then must’ve decided he wasn’t worth it, or perhaps thirty years too old, and followed Perry out of the room.
“Jesus Christ. Are you adopted?” Sal asked.
69
JACK
Dax gave me a look as he swung down beside me onto the upstairs balcony.
“This is more fun than I’ve had in a while.” He grinned as he caught his breath.
“Let’s get my girl,” I said. “Get Sal ready for Paul.”
Maybe because this was fucking Mayberry, or because the weather was really good, only a screen kept us from entering the master bedroom. The sliding door was open. There were two twin beds, perfectly made. Over the bedside table between them, hung a mounted bear’s head.
“What the hell?” Dax whispered, eyeing it. The mouth was open in a snarl, with big teeth and fake drool. “That’d give me nightmares.”
“So would waking up beside Hannah’s mother,” I muttered.
Dax checked his phone. “Paul said he’s almost here.”