by L A Walton
“Get away from me!”
Andrew suddenly let go and stepped back, “What’s going on Laci?”
“You tell me Andrew? Why are you all of a sudden talking about murdering people?”
A moment of silence passed between the two of them and Andrew just stared at Laci in disbelief.
A big truck came up the road with several teens in the back. They were hollering and laughing.
“I love paintball. Get ready to die Frank!” one of the teens shouted to the driver. They all ran through the entrance of the old looking building.
“Do you know where we are?” Andrew asked Laci.
She shook her head in confusion.
Andrew pointed up to the faded paint on the side of the wooden building. It was barely noticeable but if you looked closely, you could see it.
Murder by Paintball
“Paintball,” Andrew answered. He shook his head in disappointment and made a tsking sound. He turned his back to Laci and spoke, “I brought you here because I know you’ve been stressed lately and I thought shooting people full of paint would make you feel better. Relieve some stress.”
“Oh my God. I’m sorry Andrew…I just-“
Andrew turned to face her, “You just what? Thought I really wanted to murder people? Why would you think that? Have I ever done anything to make you believe I’m some kind of psychopath?”
Laci immediately became defensive, “Well why did you say we were going to murder people? Sane people don’t’ say things like that!”
“This place is called Murder by Paintball. The slogan is Death by Paint. It was a joke!”
“Well it wasn’t funny!” Laci fidgeted in her seat. She was embarrassed. “I guess we should just go home.”
“You really don’t want to try it?” Andrew asked.
“The paintball? I don’t know how. I’ve never played paintball before.”
Andrew sighed, “I’m not going to lie…I’m still offended that you thought I was a murderer. Still, I can’t let you live the rest of your life without experiencing a good round of paintball. Rule number one: it’s just paintball. We don’t say play paintball. Got it?”
Laci giggled, causing Andrew to ask, “What’s so funny?”
“Lots of things. How dumb I was a few minutes ago, that you’re way too into this paintball stuff, and that I almost called the cops on you.”
Andrew laughed, “Yeah that would have been bad. Funny…but bad.”
“This is an interesting idea though. It’s different,” Laci smiled.
“Different good or different bad.”
“Different good. So how did you know I was stressed?”
“Your brother called me. He knew we were going on a date and suggested it.”
Laci laughed, “My brother told you to take me out to paintball?”
“Well actually, he told me to take you to a bar in the next town that lets you do mud wrestling…but I told him it probably wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“Good call,” Laci laughed. “Either way, thank you. I have been stressed by a lot of things lately.”
“Well you’re lucky enough to have a highly sought after psychologist at your disposal if you want to talk about it.”
Laci squinted her eyes as if she were in deep thought, “Highly sought after huh? How do I know you’re really good at giving advice or not?”
Andrew looked away and smiled, “Well…I do have my own radio show.”
“Your own radio show?” she emphasized the word own.
“Well I share it with another doctor but she’s just there to be eye candy.”
Laci laughed, “Didn’t you say it was a radio show? No one would even see her.”
Andrew laughed, “Oh that’s right. Well I guess she’s only eye candy to me since I’m the only one that’s lucky enough to see her.”
Laci blushed and looked down to hide her face.
Andrew smiled and grabbed her hand to drag her inside the building. Laci was in awe at what she saw. Teens and adults were dressed in dark suits and goggles.
“Are we able to play in the dark?” Laci asked.
“Of course. It’s more fun that way,” Andrew answered.
Laci regretted not wearing flats but decided to make the best of it. After they were dressed, the man working at the counter handing out paintball guns told them, “Don’t worry, it’s a lot of fun and doesn’t hurt a bit.”
Laci doubted that but took her paint gun. Andrew taught her how to use the gun and the two of them prepared for paint battle. Laci was happy that she had joined Andrew. She was having so much fun, shooting strangers with paint and running behind standing boards to hide. It was exhilarating. She imagined each person she shot was her stalker.
An hour later, they were on their way to Laci’s house.
“My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Thank you Andrew.”
“Are you kidding? I got to see the beautiful Laci Cummings shoot strangers with a paint gun. People should pay money for that. You were vicious!”
Laci couldn’t help but giggle at herself. She was happy and she hadn’t felt so relaxed in weeks. They reached her house and Andrew walked her to the door.
“Normally, I would try to kiss you goodnight but after seeing you shoot people with paintballs, I’m not sure if I should risk it," Andrew told her.
“Well that’s too bad. I don’t normally kiss during first dates but I was willing to make an exception.”
“Is that so?”
Laci whispered, “Maybe.”
Andrew began to lean in but they both jumped at the sound of a horn honking. They looked towards the street to see two teenagers driving past laughing. One of them stuck their head out of the window and shouted, “Get a room!”
Laci and Andrew laughed, “Talk about bad timing,” Andrew muttered. Laci lightly pushed him back.
“Thank you for the date Andrew. I had a lot of fun.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and smiled at him as she unlocked her front door and went inside.
Andrew was smiling up until she closed the door to her home. Laci was fortunate that she had closed the door and was unable to see Andrew’s smile turn into an angry frown.
“Declan I have groceries in the car. Go get them!” Laci was carrying plastic grocery bags in her hands as she walked into the kitchen. Sitting on one of her counter stools was Robert, Declan’ friend.
“Robert! What are you doing here?”
“I’m moving in,” he casually answered.
“What?”
Robert laughed, “I’m here to visit Declan Laci. Why else would I be here?”
Laci gave him the stink eye and answered, “Oh I don’t know…maybe installing a security alarm.”
Robert grabbed an apple from her groceries, “I told Declan it was scheduled to be installed on Monday.”
“Really? He didn’t say a word to me.”
“That’s Dec for you.”
“Where is my brother?” Laci asked.
“Taking a shower. His black eye finally faded enough that he wants to meet up with some women I know.” Robert explained.
“Well good luck with that but in the meantime, will you be a sweetheart and get the groceries from my car?”
Robert looked surprised but did as he was asked.
A few minutes later, Declan came downstairs, “Sorry to make you wait Robert.”
Laci looked at her brother and his friend, “What time are you two leaving?”
“Are you trying to kick us out?” Declan joked.
“I have clients today Declan. You and Robert have got to go.”
“Kicking me out of my own home so that she can see some wackadoos,” Declan shook his head.
The doorbell rang and Laci looked at both of them, "Give me ten minutes and then leave." She ran to the front door and opened it to see Andrew.
“Andrew! What are you doing here?” she asked looking past him for Portia and Henry Meiser who were her expected clients for the day.
&nb
sp; “I’m sorry to show up unexpectedly. Are you expecting someone else?”
“Sorry, I’m waiting for some clients. Come in but don’t stay long. Oh sorry…that was rude.”
Andrew laughed, “Don’t worry I understand.”
“Andrew!” Laci and Andrew looked to see Declan standing behind them. “How was the date last night? Did you get to third base?”
Laci punched Declan in the arm, “Stop being gross.”
He laughed and all three of them went back to the kitchen. Laci looked at the three handsome men in her house and told all of them to leave, “Seriously, you guys need to go.”
The doorbell rang again, “That’s them. I promise my clients their privacy so stay here and leave in ten minutes. Understand?”
All three men nodded and she smiled as she ran back to the front door.
Henry and Portia Meiser were an odd couple but Laci really felt she could help them. She opened the door and allowed them in.
“Dr. Cummings?” Henry asked as soon as he came inside, “Is it okay if I use the bathroom?”
“Henry! I told you to go when we were at home,” his wife scolded him.
“I’m sorry Portia but I didn’t have to go then,” Henry apologized.
Laci gave a fake smile, “It’s not a problem. Henry, there’s a bathroom down the hall. Portia and I will be in the study waiting for you.”
Henry nodded and walked towards the bathroom while Laci and Portia walked to her study.
“Dr. Cummings, I have the journals you wanted us to write in,” Portia pulled out both journals.
“That’s great. Let’s wait for Henry to get back and we can begin reviewing them. Your first assignment was to write a letter to your spouse.”
“Dr. Cummings, I’m paying for this hour, I don’t want to waste it waiting for Henry. I’m starting now.”
Laci tried stopping Portia but it was impossible. She pulled out Henry’s journal and opened it up to the first page and began reading.
“Destiny. Our love is destiny. There was a time that I felt so lonely I would pray the Lord took my life. I couldn’t stand the loneliness anymore. Then I met you and my whole life changed. I felt alive again. My hurt burst with joy,” Portia began tearing up.
“Dr. Cummings can you believe Henry is so…so sentimental?” Portia asked. “I’m actually surprised. We’ve felt so distant. This is incredibly sweet.”
She continued reading, “My heart screams in pain when we’re apart and I know that someday we’ll always be together forever. You are my love for life…Dr. Cummings.”
Portia looked up from the journal to an ashen faced Laci. “This says Dr. Cummings. Are you having an affair with my husband?”
It was at that moment that Henry entered the study after using the bathroom. He saw an angry Portia and a pale Laci and asked, “What’s going on in here?”
Portia turned to him with an expression of pure venom, “How dare you!” She threw the book at him, which he dodged.
Portia ran towards Henry and began pummeling him. Laci shouted for her to stop. Henry pushed Portia away who fell to the ground. She yelled, “You want to hit me? I won’t let you get away with this Henry!” She jumped up and began picking up whatever was around her and tossed it at Henry.
“Stop it right now!” Laci yelled only to get the attention of Portia who began throwing things at her too.
“I hate you! You’re fired you husband stealer!”
Laci shrieked when Portia tossed a glass figurine at her. Henry shouted at his wife, “Stop it Portia. It’s not her fault that I love her!”
“Love? You love her?” Portia was livid. She turned back to Laci, “Let’s see how much you love her when I disfigure her face!”
“No!” Henry ran forward and hit his wife, knocking her out. Laci screamed and the door burst open.
“Andrew!” Laci was relieved to see Andrew standing at the door with his phone to his ear, “I’m calling 911 so don’t anybody move.”
Thirty minutes later the police had picked up Henry and the ambulance picked up Portia who would later be taken to jail as well. Laci and Andrew had both given statements. Laci sat amidst the rubble of her once tidy study.
“Can you believe this?” she asked Andrew who handed her a beer.
“It’s not uncommon for a client to fall for his psychologist,” Andrew replied.
“Yeah but I saw his journal. It was so disturbing. At least it should all be over now.”
“What should be over?”
Laci didn’t want to elaborate. She hoped Henry would finally stop stalking her and this nightmare she had been living the past few weeks would be over. She had mentioned her friend’s murder to the police and they told her they would check if he had an alibi for that night. Laci was grateful to Andrew for staying behind after her brother and Robert had left the house.
After Andrew left, Laci walked upstairs to an awful sight. On her bed were the roses that Andrew had given her the night prior. They were cut up into small pieces and the red rose petals looked like giant drops of blood against her white bedspread.
Amber sat in front of her computer. She was browsing the Love Guru website. Pictures of psychologists Laci Cummings and Andrew Brett were splashed all over the screen.
Amber was on her cellphone, “Don’t tell me what to do. I have everything under control. Yeah…yeah whatever you say. Listen I’m busy. I’ll call you later.”
Amber rolled her eyes when she hung up the phone and snorted as she read the comments about Laci and Andrew.
Her face contorted into an ugly expression as she poised her hands above the keyboard and typed, “Laci Cummings is a fraud. She needs to leave Dr. Brett alone. I HATE HER!!!”
CHAPTER 17
“What are you typing Amber?” Kay asked as she peered over her friend’s shoulder. She was shocked at the words on the computer screen.
“Laci Cummings is a fraud. She needs to leave Dr. Brett alone. I HATE HER!!!”
“Uh…Abbs?”
Amber was trying to come up with another comment to type out. She looked back at Kay, “What?”
“When George called and asked that we get listeners riled up about Laci and Andrew, I don’t think he meant in a negative way.”
Amber and Kay had met George two years ago at a party Laci was hosting. He was a bit unconventional but passionate about his job. Once he had found out that Marie Ann, Amber, Kay, and Laci were best friends, he saved all of their numbers and would occasionally text them about upcoming events the radio station was having. Yesterday he had bribed both Amber and Kay into helping him promote Laci and Andrew as a couple in exchange for some concert tickets.
“He said to get people talking,” Amber lightly tapped her fingers against the keyboard.
“He didn’t say to start rumors. Delete it Amber. I can’t believe you typed that in the first place.”
“Fine,” Amber muttered, “Marie Ann would have sided with me.” She deleted her post about hating Laci.
Kay scoffed, “No she wouldn’t have.”
Amber ignored that comment, “What about something about her being pregnant? Or a secret marriage?”
Kay covered her face in her hands, “Oh I can’t believe we agreed to do this for some Maroon 5 tickets.”
“Kay, they’re front row tickets! Besides, we’re helping Laci and her show become more popular.”
Kay groaned, “We’re probably going to Hell in the section for bad friends for this. Write the one about the secret marriage.”
Amber giggled, “But why would they keep their marriage a secret?”
Kay contemplated that, “Fine, scratch that. Ooh I know! Type out that they’re secretly engaged!”
Amber and Kay locked eyes and both of them smiled and said, “Perfect.”
“What in the world?” Laci was in her study, reading her e-mails. She was getting an influx of congratulations in regards to her recent engagement to Dr. Andrew Brett.
“Hey sis,” Declan came stro
lling into her study, a tablet in his hands, “Are you getting married?”
“What?” Laci was surprised even Declan was aware of the engagement rumor.
Declan showed her his tablet which had the local society page up. Laci groaned, “This isn’t in the newspaper is it?”
Declan shook his head and answered, “No. This is too new so it’s just online. Are you and Andrew engaged?”
“Yeah right Declan. Do you actually think I would get engaged and not tell you?”
Declan shrugged, “I don’t know. It kind of hurt my feelings…thinking you would keep it a secret from me. This sounds bad but I’m glad you’re still one of those old single crazy cat ladies that no one will marry.”
He grinned and Laci scowled, “First of all, I’m not old. Second…I don’t have any cats!”
“But you admit to the crazy part, right?”
“Declan!”
He smirked and walked forward, wrapping Laci in an unexpected hug, “I’m sorry Laci. I just…I just want you to be happy and safe.”
“Where is this coming from all of a sudden? Are you okay Declan?” Laci asked.
Declan released her and gave a soft smile, “I’m fine. I just want you safe.”
Laci cocked her head to one side and studied her brother, “Are you on drugs?”
He laughed, “What? I can’t care about my sister?”
“Of course you can. But what’s with all the ‘I want you safe’ talk?”
Declan shook his head, “Nothing. It’s just with everything that’s been going on like the break in, Marie Ann’s death, and now your crazy clients…I just want you safe.”
“Well you’ll be happy to know that I came to a decision yesterday regarding my practice.”
“What?”
“I think I’m going to rent an office to see clients in. After what happened yesterday, I don’t’ want to take the chance of them invading my personal space anymore.” Laci didn’t tell Declan about the cut up roses she found on her bed. She figured it was another prank of Henry’s.
“My sister is finally seeing the light! Did you want me to go with you to look for your new office space?”