I step aside, allowing him to come in and then I slam the door shut.
“Did I come at a bad time?” Tate asks, looking at Angel
“No. No at all.” She smiles at him brightly.
I plop down on the chair in the kitchen when Tate speaks. “Have you heard anything about the break-in?”
“No. I spoke to the Sheriff the other day and he said they have had no more reported break-ins in this neighborhood.” I take a sip of the beer that Angel sits down in front of me.
“Maybe it was just some random person thinking we weren’t home,” Angel suggests. “We keep all our vehicles in the garage and it was early morning. The power was out.” She shrugs. “They just happened to have picked our house.” I think she’s trying to convince herself more than us.
“You’re probably right,” Tate says before he slides his eyes to mine. I know he is thinking the same thing as me. It was someone who knows us, someone who had a reason for wanting in this house. I just have a feeling that whatever they wanted, they did not get, which is a plus.
“I’ll be right back,” Angel excuses herself.
Once we hear her close our bedroom door, Tate speaks. “Did you tell her about our talk?”
“No. She already suspects I think you want her, but she doesn’t need to know I confronted you about it.”
He nods his head as she enters the kitchen now holding her phone. “Did you have to work today?”
“Yes, I worked at the repair shop.”
“I can’t believe Marcus still owns that shop,” I say. I had figured Missy’s brother Jacob had taken it over from his dad by now.
Angel looks at me. “You know who Missy’s father is?”
“Yes, that shop has been in business forever. Marcus’s dad was the one who started it.” I take a sip of my beer. “I don’t know him all that well, but me, Micah and Josh went to school with Jacob, who is Missy’s brother.”
“Were you guys friends with him?” she asks as she takes a seat.
“No. Marcus was very strict with Jacob. He went to school and then went home. He started working up there at the shop at a very young age.” He was not allowed to go out like we were. We had a few classes together, but not enough to be considered friends.
“So, how are things going up at Larry’s?” Tate asks, changing the subject.
“It’s good.”
She starts to tell Tate about how worthless she thinks her boss is and how Holly runs that bar. By the expressions on his face, I can tell that he already knows everything she is telling him. And I do not like that one bit.
*****
SAMANTHA
I sit on the couch in the living room as I stare up at the urn on the fireplace mantel. It has been four weeks since my mother passed. The loss of her has not gotten any easier. Everything seems back to normal for the most part, up until this morning that is. I hadn’t heard from Jessica since I sent her that picture of Slade and me kissing over a week ago. Well, I received something back, and it was once again of him in bed with another woman. I can’t make out the woman, but you can clearly see they are having sex. The worse part, they’re in Slade’s bed, well the bed that we now share. Everything looks the same: the curtains, the sheets, and the bedspread—everything down to the pillowcases. I immediately pulled it all off the bed and started washing everything. I know it was a long time ago and I know I’ve washed them since then. I just felt like it would make me feel better to wash them again.
No such luck!
All I do now is walk into our room and picture all the women he has had in there and it bothers me. I want to burn it all, but that would raise some questions about my sanity. And I still don’t want Slade to know what is going on between Jessica and me.
I lie back on the couch and pull out my phone. I look at the picture again. Slade is lying on his back and he has his hands on the woman’s hips as she lies on top of him. She has long dark hair up in a ponytail and her chest is pressed against his. I don’t know who in the hell is taking these pictures and I don’t dare ask. It’s no secret that he likes more than one woman at a time, so I’m guessing there’s another naked chick behind the camera phone.
I exit out of it and slam my phone down on my lap. The worst part is that I saved it to my phone. I don’t know why, but I guess to keep it as a reminder that Jessica is a bitch who is trying her hardest to piss me off. I mean, what is she really trying to gain from these? Does she want me to kick her ass? Does she want me to break up with Slade? She has to know that if for some crazy reason Slade were to break up with me, she would not be his next choice.
Just then, my phone beeps and I look at it. I grit my teeth when I see it’s from Jessica as well, and this time she has sent me a video. This day just keeps getting better and better.
I push play and watch the scene before me play out. Of course, the woman in bed with him is Bridgette. Slade must be the one taping because the camera is facing downward as Bridgette is on her knees, straddling his legs. Her short blonde hair falls over her face, making it hard to see her, but you can hear her suck in a breath before she places her lips around the top of his dick, and then her head bobs up and down.
“Fuck,” I hear him hiss from behind the camera.
I literally feel like the wind is knocked out of me. All feeling has been taken from me, my body is numb, but I can’t look away. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion. I know how the scene in front of me is going to end, yet I can’t stop watching. I keep hoping he might push her away or tell her to stop.
I see one of his hands reach up and push her hair out of her way. I hear him let out a long breath and then the camera faces up toward the ceiling.
“Don’t want to film it after all?” comes her voice.
“No. I’d much rather enjoy this than worry about taping it.”
She lets out a laugh and then I hear them shuffle around. I feel my throat close up as tears sting my eyes when I hear them moaning and their bodies slapping together.
I hold down the off button until it shuts my phone off completely. I stand from the couch and throw my phone where I was just sitting.
“Fuck that,” I say aloud, brushing the tears off my face harshly. I don’t think I have ever been so pissed in my life. I turn and head to our bathroom. I turn on the water and wash my face. I feel the urge to put bleach in my eyes to try to erase my memory of that God-awful scene.
I wipe off my face and stand in the doorway of our bathroom. I look over at our freshly washed sheets and it is all of a sudden not going to work for me. I storm over to the bed and tear everything off of it once again and haul it all outside to our trashcans that set on the side of the house. Once there, I dust off my hands and jump in Nadia. I’m going to buy us all new sheets and a comforter. Hell, I would prefer a new bed and mattress.
As soon as I get out on the highway, I turn my phone back on and call Holly to fill her in on what I got today.
“What are you going to do? You need to send her a dirtier picture of you and Slade together.”
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea,” I say, shaking my head to myself. “My luck, she would post that shit online or something and Slade would have a fucking fit.”
“Hmm, so what is your plan?”
“I guess I plan on doing nothing this time. I don’t want to receive any more pictures or videos of him having sex. Maybe if I just ignore her, she will quit bothering me with it.” I doubt that, but I can dream can’t I?
“So, you’re just going to let her win?” she asks, irritated.
“I don’t see it that way. Slade is mine, not hers.” I grind my teeth in frustration. I would much rather shove our relationship in her face than give up, but what other options do I have?
“True. I just hate that she won’t leave you alone. You could change your number,” she offers.
“And I would tell Slade my reasoning for a new number is what exactly?”
She lets out a long breath. “I don’t know. Maybe
he won’t ask.” She sounds hopeful.
“He will. Hell, he calls me every time I set the alarm to away wanting to know where I’m going. The only reason he isn’t blowing my phone up right now is because I didn’t set the alarm.”
She laughs.
“Where are you heading anyway?”
“I’m on my way to get some new sheets and a comforter. I threw the others in the trash.”
“And you don’t think he will ask why you did that?”
“Oh, he will. But when I tell him we need to break them in, he will forget all about it.” I hope. She laughs then gets quiet real quick. “What are you thinking about?” I ask as I park in front of the home store.
“Well, I just can’t figure out how she is getting these pictures.”
“Me either,” I say, biting on my lower lip.
“So far Bridgette has been in all of them, right?”
“Well, no. There have been three pictures so far, and the one video. The picture I got this morning he was with a brunette. You couldn’t see who was behind the camera.”
“Maybe Bridgette is in it with Jessica. As far as I remember, Bridgette really liked Slade.”
“I don’t know why Bridgette would care that Slade is with me though. Shit, she already got my last boyfriend,” I say with a laugh, surprising myself. Who knew I would get over Jax? I could care not less who he ends up with.
“Right.” Holly also laughs. “Let me do some digging and I will get back to you with what I find.”
“Sounds good. Thanks, Holly.”
As I grab my phone and get out of the truck, Vivian calls me. I speak with her the entire time I’m shopping. She wanted to see if I was still helping decorate for their annual Halloween party they are having this weekend.
Slade and I had spoken about this last night. He told me they pretty much turn their house into a spooky castle and everyone dresses up.
I am pretty excited about it. I think it will be a fun time to drink with friends and not have to worry about going out. Vivian said we could just stay the night in Slade’s old room, and that Holly and Micah have stayed over every Halloween since they got together. She always worries about all of us when we go out drinking. She was very excited when she told me she had purchased several bottles of Barefoot Moscato. So, I have a feeling she plans on keeping my glass full the entire time.
“Thank you,” I say, paying for our new sheets and comforter. I bought everything new, from curtains to throw pillows and even a few rugs that match the new comforter.
“Thank you,” the cashier says cheerfully. “Have a great day.”
I throw all of my sacks into the cart and push it out of the store. As I make my way to the back of the parking lot, I notice that there is broken glass on the ground next to Nadia. I look up to see that more than half the back window is knocked out.
What the hell?
I get closer to the truck. I pull out my cell and dial Slade’s number as my eyes scan the parking lot.
“Come on,” I say as I listen to it ring and ring.
“Hello?” I hear a woman’s voice on the other end. I freeze for a second until I realize I know that voice. Rose.
“Rose. Is Slade there?” I say in a rush.
“Samantha. He’s in a meeting right now. Is there something I can do for you?” she asks nicely.
“Someone broke into the truck.” I scan the parking lot again. Do you ever have a feeling that someone is watching you? I have that feeling right now and it’s very unsettling.
“Oh no. Are you alright?” she asks with worry in her voice.
“Yes. I was shopping, and then just came out to find the truck had been broken into.”
“Let me get him for you, Samantha.” I walk over to the driver’s side door and try to open it. I frown when I find it still locked. I try the back driver’s side door.
Same.
If someone broke in through the back, wouldn’t they just open one of the doors to get out?
Rose gets my attention as she speaks on the other end of the line.
“Mr. Long, Samantha is on the line for you.” I feel bad for worrying her. You can tell by her voice that I have scared her.
“Tell her I’ll call her back in twenty minutes.” I hear Slade’s voice. He, on the other hand, must be preoccupied and not notice the concern she has.
“It’s an emergency.”
I look around again as I hear nothing but silence, still not seeing anyone.
“Angel,” Slade barks into my ear, “is everything okay?”
“Slade, I was just walking out of a store and found that someone has knocked out the back window of the truck.”
“What do you mean knocked it out? And where are you?”
“I mean it’s shattered. Like someone hit it with a baseball bat and knocked the entire thing out. But I’ve tried the doors and they’re locked.” I pull the keys out of my jacket pocket and go to unlock them.
“Don’t unlock them,” he practically shouts. “I’m on my way. Do you hear me, Angel? Do not get in the truck.”
I roll my eyes as I rub my hands on my arms. “It’s not like its eighty degrees outside, Slade.” It’s been cold the last week.
“Go back inside the store. I’m on my way.” I tell him where I’m at before hanging up the phone. I look around one last time before making my way back toward the store.
*****
Within fifteen minutes, I see Slade’s car pull into the parking lot. He pulls up next to Nadia and I watch him and Micah get out. I grab the shopping cart and walk out to meet them.
“The police are on their way,” he says as soon as he spots me.
“What can they do?” So far they haven’t done shit with the break-in.
“You need to file a report.” He looks down at my bags then back up to me. “What were you doing here anyway?”
I gesture to the shopping cart. “Shopping,” I say, obviously.
“For what?”
“I bought some new sheets and stuff for the bedroom.”
“You shouldn’t be out shopping.”
“So now I can’t even leave the house?”
“I would say that’s the best thing until all this is sorted out.” He then turns around and starts talking to Micah.
I once again roll my eyes. Great, now he is going to have me on house arrest because some idiot felt like breaking into our truck.
“Where are the keys?”
I pull them out of my purse and hand them to Slade. “Go stand by my car.” He nods over to his CTS.
I look over to it and then back to him. “Why do you want me—”
“Angel,” he snaps, “just go stand by my car.”
I let out a puff of air before I storm off. I watch as he and Micah get into the truck and start going through it.
They climb out of the truck and Slade calls over to me, “Did you see anyone else in the parking lot?”
I shake my head, walking back over to them. “No. I looked around the parking lot as soon as I saw the glass.”
“Well, they had to have climbed into the back of the truck to knock out this window,” Micah says, looking at the broken window. “The truck is too tall to hit it from standing beside it.”
Hmm. I hadn’t thought of that.
“Did anyone know you were out shopping?” Micah asks.
Why does that matter? “I didn’t even know you were out shopping.” Slade shoots me an accusatory glare. “Why didn’t you set the alarm to the house when you left?”
I shrug, not wanting to answer that question. “Holly knew. I spoke with her earlier.”
Slade throws his hands up in the air. “Did you notice anyone following you from the house?” he asks as he rubs the back of his neck.
“No.” I frown. “This has nothing to do with the house and the break-in,” I say, looking back and forth between them.
“Just how do you know that?” Slade snaps, taking a step toward me.
“Hang on,” Micah says
calmly, “we don’t know anything yet.” He looks at Slade.
Slade turns and speaks to him in a hushed tone and I am unable to hear what he is saying.
“Hey,” I say, getting his attention, “what are you whispering about?”
Slade starts to speak, but Micah interrupts him. “There are the police.”
For what feels like the hundredth time in the past few weeks, I explain to the police what happened, which wasn’t much since I didn’t see anything. They asked me the same questions that Slade had just asked, along with several more.
“Is anything missing out of the truck?” the officer asks looking over at Slade.
“Micah and I looked through it. Everything seems to be in place.”
The officer nods. “That is not uncommon. In a parking lot like this the thieves usually get spooked before they get the chance to get their hands on what they want.”
They tell Slade they will be in touch soon before they get in their police car and drive away.
Slade turns to me. “I’m going to let Micah drive the truck home.”
I nod and start walking over to his car. “Why couldn’t I drive the truck home?” I question once he gets in.
“It’s not safe,” he says, keeping his eyes on the windshield as we pull out of the parking lot.
I stare down at my hands as they sit in my lap. Why do I feel like I did something wrong? “Are you mad at me?” I ask quietly.
He lets out a long breath. “I want to know why you were out shopping by yourself.”
“Why is it so wrong that I went shopping?”
“Because someone is after you,” he snaps.
“No one is after me. Even the cop said it could be a coincidence.”
“That cop doesn’t know. He was guessing,”
“Then why did you even call them if they can’t help us?” I demand.
He doesn’t answer as he pulls into the driveway. I don’t even bother waiting for him to turn the car off before I jump out and storm into the house.
I grab myself a bottle of water out of the kitchen. I can hear Slade and Micah speaking in the garage, but once again, I can’t make out what they are saying.
The UN Series Complete Box Set Page 65