by Julia Gray
“I believe you,” he answers. The way he says it is a bit reassuring. I force my muscles to relax instead of clench. “Thank you for sharing what you saw with me.”
“You're welcome?” I’m not sure how to respond.
“I have two things I need to discuss with you,” he continues. “First, this business between you and my son. It needs to end immediately.”
I’m too scared to protest. I have no argument except for the way I feel about him.
“Um-”
“I need you to agree that you won’t see him anymore. Even if he continues to contact you.”
“But . . .” He lifts his chin up. He seems even taller. “I don’t understand . . . Sir.”
“Perhaps this next part will make it all clear.” He glances around the park and takes another step towards me. “Mikki, what you saw changes everything. From now on I need you to do what I say. Exactly what I say.”
“He’s looking for me, isn’t he? That man.” My heart beats into my throat. In the back of my mind, I wondered. What will happen next? Will things be the same when I go home? I guess the answer is no.
“You’re starting to understand.” He nods. “Unfortunately, the only other person who has seen the face of this man is in a coma.”
My heart leaps this time.
“You mean the man who was shot isn’t dead?”
“He’s very close to death,” Mr. Haskell replies. I see a shiny glimmer in his eye. It's almost like a baby tear. “He was my right-hand man, Rig. From now on you will be watched. Followed. Studied. You need to look out for yourself. Those men won't stop until they eliminate all the evidence, and that means you. You are a witness now.”
“I understand.”
“It would be better if these people didn’t associate you with my son. That would be bad for the both of you.” He glances over his shoulder again. “You will be hearing from me. Stay at home. Don’t discuss Colorado or anyone in my family with anybody. Not even your friend Zanna.”
My eyes go wide. He can’t know what I’ve said to Zanna. Could he?
“Okay,” I agree. I feel like I have to agree. My muscles go back to being tense. A voice in my head starts freaking out. You’re being followed. Watched. Studied.
“Good.”
“But . . . I . . . you don’t think that skeleton-looking man would come to Seaside, do you?”
“My guess is he’s already here.” He sighs like it is not a big deal.
I gasp.
“Just do what I say, and I will take care of it,” he replies.
“Take care of it?” I repeat. Probably not the smartest thing to ask him. He raises an eyebrow. “Okay.”
“You better be getting home,” he answers. I hesitate to take a step. “Don’t worry. I have an eye out.”
Comforting and also a little creepy.
My thoughts race as I walk back to the apartment. I still can’t come to terms with what I saw in Colorado. A man being shot. My mind doesn’t think of it as real. Stuff like this doesn’t happen to Seaside folk. It just doesn’t.
I cringe when I think of the skeleton man. I don’t know what I’ll do if I ever see him again. I hope I never have to. I can barely make myself move just thinking about his cold, menacing stare. I shake my head to get rid of the image. My thoughts turn to Dane. I can’t believe I agreed to stay away from him.
Sort of agreed.
I don’t exactly know what it is I agreed to. Time passed so fast, and Mr. Haskell has a way of making you feel like his way is the only way. Now I see why Dane is always pissed at him.
I finally reach the front door.
I take a deep breath.
Man, I’m in trouble.
Chapter Twenty Eight
“Who is she?”
I’m back to my regular morning routine, and I hate it. I hate the silence from Aunt Scarlett. I hate that Dane and I aren’t talking. I hate that I don't know the truth about Dane's kidnapping. Nothing feels the same anymore. And on top of all that I’m constantly looking over my shoulder and jumping when someone taps me.
I grab my purse and head for the front door. Aunt Scarlett is sipping coffee at the kitchen table. I haven’t stopped to eat breakfast with her in a long time.
“Bye,” I say quietly.
“Have a good day,” she replies half-heartedly. I roll my eyes and step outside into the morning air. The sky is blue, and birds are chirping. I take a step and then stop suddenly. My chest freezes.
“Hey.” The sound of Dane’s voice makes my heart race.
“Hi,” I answer. “Um . . . what are you doing here?” I glance behind me at the apartment window. Dane is here in full view of Aunt Scarlett and the neighbors.
“I think it’s time we talked, don’t you?”
I look down at his leg.
“I see you’re doing better.”
“All thanks to you.” He grins. I bite the corner of my lip. I love it when he smiles.
“I have to go to work.”
“I’ll drive you,” he answers.
“Are you sure?” I daydream of pulling up to the Banley building with a Haskell. Everyone would stare, and they wouldn’t see me as the silly old intern anymore. Paul would make someone else do the coffee runs.
“I am.” He glances down the street at his car. It’s parked a block away. I follow him to the sidewalk. He stops so he can walk beside me. His hand brushes against mine and my heart flutters. I know what he’s thinking. He wants to finish the conversation we never seem to get through. I think about our first night together. I have to tell him about Kade before then.
“So,” Danes says. “Go ahead.”
“Go ahead and what?” I smile. A real smile.
“I know you have a lot of questions so go ahead. Ask.”
“Will you be able to answer them?” I reply. My smile grows wider.
“Probably not,” he chuckles. He opens the passenger door. I slide in and place my purse on my lap. It feels strange riding with him during the middle of the day.
“Dane,” I say quietly. He drives down the street with a grin on his face. “Does this mean you’ve changed your mind about keeping us a secret?”
“When you left,” he answers. “I realized something. I haven’t been fair.” He glances at me. “I’m sorry.”
My chest is pounding. I have imagined this day before. I wasn’t sure it would come. My cheeks feel flushed. I force a swallow as we get closer to Main Street. I concentrate on my breathing because I feel like my heart just jumped into my throat.
“I-”
“Look,” he continues. “You don’t have to say anything right now.” His hand moves across the center console and rests on my knee. My forehead is so hot that a bead of sweat forms near my hairline. “Just promise me you’ll let us start over. I want to start over, Mikki.”
I nod. I force myself to forget about my conversation with Mr. Haskell and my fight with Aunt Scarlett. Things are starting to go my way.
Finally.
* * *
“I can’t believe you convinced me to come to the mall with you,” Zanna shakes her head. “I haven’t been here since I was ratted out for shoplifting my Junior year of high school.”
“Well,” I laugh. “This must bring back memories." There are people everywhere. I take a sip of my soda. “I just needed to get away that’s all.”
“It’s barely lunchtime.” Zanna shakes her head. “I’m telling you, girl. You need to quit. That job has done nothing but make you miserable.”
“I’m holding out for payday,” I joke. "And I'm lucky they let me come back after I no-showed all those days." I stare across the food court at the row of clothing stores.
“I still can’t believe I’m at the mall right now,” Zanna mumbles to herself. I take another sip of my drink. I’m bursting to tell her about Dane.
“So this morning,” I casually begin. “Guess who shows up at my door?”
“No.” She glares at me.
“What?”
“Stay away from that boy.” She grabs my soda and takes a sip. “Or haven’t you learned your lesson?” She brushes off a shiver. “I can’t think about that family without feeling sick now.”
I look down at the floor. Zanna is not going to be happy if we get back together.
“Let’s go,” I suggest. “I need a walk.”
We stand up. I smoothe the wrinkles on my top and lead the way. The shops I want to browse aren’t Zanna’s style, but I don’t care.
“Oh, my.” Zanna grabs my arm. I stare ahead and see two tall blondes headed our way. One has an enormous grin on her face.
Paige.
“Look who it is,” she laughs. She glances at the girl she’s with, a taller, thinner version of herself.
“Keep walking,” Zanna says to me.
“That’s her,” Paige continues. She looks at her friend. “She was the last one to see my brother. Apparently.” She raises her eyebrows.
“Who is she?” the girl says quietly.
“No one really,” Paige giggles.
“Now wait a minute,” Zanna steps forward. “Who are you? I’ve never seen you around here before.” She looks her up and down. The perfectness of her smile is intimidating. Her boobs are perfect too, and they compliment her tiny waist.
“This is Lucy,” Paige says. She smiles at me. “Dane’s girlfriend.”
It takes all I have to not drop to the floor. My legs are shaking, and my torso feels like jelly. I think I might pass out. The floor seems to be moving farther away from me. My vision is starting to go blurry.
Don’t cry. Don’t you dare cry.
“Whatever,” Zanna chuckles, playing it cool. I would fall apart without her.
“Well?” Paige glares at me. "Don't you have anything to say?"
This is obviously nothing but a game to her.
Chapter Twenty Nine
“I’ve never felt so humiliated in all my life.”
I feel disgusted when I see Dane smiling outside the lobby doors after work. He’s here to pick me up. His hair is gelled, and he’s wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I’m so attracted to him, but I’m angry with him. I spent all afternoon feeling sick at my desk. I can’t get the image of that Lucy girl out of my head. She’s so perfect. And the way Paige laughed at me.
“Hi babe,” Dane says. He opens the passenger door and waits for me to get in.
“Hi.” I look down at my shoes. I can barely look at him. He gets in the car and grins.
“How was your day?” he asks.
“Pretty boring,” I mutter. Dane looks at me and raises an eyebrow.
“You okay?”
I sigh. What am I supposed to say? I can lie and say nothing, but I feel like a complete idiot. I want to know how long he has been with Lucy. Paige looked at me like I was dirt. I can’t take it. My chest is starting to pound.
“Um . . . I met Zanna at the mall today for lunch.”
“Oh.”
“And we ran into your sister.”
Dane nods looking frustrated.
“What has she done now,” he mutters. Dane and Paige have a dysfunctional relationship. I remember the first time I asked him about her. He frowned and said the two of them hadn’t been friendly since sixth grade.
I pause for a minute and gather enough courage to come out and say it. We turn the corner. Dane speeds down the street. We are almost to my apartment. I can already feel a tear forming. This is going to suck.
“She was shopping,” I say quietly.
“Of course.”
“She had someone else with her,” I continue. “A girl named Lucy.” I pause again and wait for his reaction. His jaw clenches. He stares at the road, gripping his hands tighter on the steering wheel. The two of us sit silently until Dane pulls up to the front of my apartment. A tear rolls down my cheek. I wipe it and open the door. Dane stays quiet. More tears come, and I slam the door behind me.
“Mikki,” Dane shouts, rolling down the window.
“So it’s true?” I yell back. “You’ve had a girlfriend this whole time?” My vision goes blurry from all the tears. They won’t stop. I feel faint like I did at the mall.
“It’s complicated,” he answers.
“Yes or no, Dane?” I hear the apartment door squeak open. Aunt Scarlett is standing in the doorway looking puzzled.
“We’ve been over for a while but she-”
“How long?” I have to know.
“Mikki-”
“How long?” I shout. My hands are shaking. I think I’m having an emotional breakdown. I never shout this much. Dane jumps out of the car and starts walking towards me. He reaches his arms out. “Stop.”
“Mikki, come on.” He reaches for my hand.
“Dane, don’t.” I wipe away more tears.
“Let me explain,” he goes on. I feel his hand on my shoulder. It gives me shivers. I want him to hold me. I want him to tell me this is all a misunderstanding, but I have to stop lying to myself.
“Just answer me. Were you with Lucy when we first got together?” My eyes go wide.
He hesitates.
“Sort of . . .”
I turn my back to him and cover my face. I run to Aunt Scarlett. She puts an arm around me and shuts the door before Dane has the chance to speak again. He bangs on the door. My heart jumps. I’m crying and sniffling so much that I can’t stand. I drop to the floor.
“Go to your room okay honey,” Scarlett says softly. “Go clean yourself up.”
“Okay,” I sniff. I move to the hallway and sit on the floor around the corner. I hear another loud knock. Aunt Scar opens the door.
“Please,” she says calmly. “Give her some time.”
“I need to see her.”
The sound of his voice brings more tears.
“Another day.” I hear Aunt Scarlett shut the door. Again, her behavior is surprising me. She knows about Dane now.
I crawl the rest of the way to my room. I’ve never felt so humiliated in all my life. I don’t want to leave my bed. I feel like the entire town will laugh and snigger behind my back.
The second Dane decides to tell people about us; it gets ruined.
Just my luck.
Scarlett knocks lightly on my door. I sit up. She pokes her head in. I wipe away my dripping mascara.
“You okay?” she whispers.
I nod.
“M, I know things between us haven’t been the same,” she continues. “But I just want you to know, all arguments aside, that I’m here for you.”
I sniff.
She takes a breath and starts to shut the door.
“Wait,” I blurt out. I frown. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this night. “Don’t go.” She smiles and sits on my bed. It feels like old times when the two of us aren’t fighting. She gives me a hug.
“Oh Mikki,” she says. “Guys are the worst.”
Chapter Thirty
“My body is starting to shake.”
I finally fall asleep, but a tap on my window wakes me up. I open my eyes. I have a headache from all the crying. The sky is black outside my window. I close my eyes and try to go back to sleep. Another tap makes me sit up. My heart races. I peer out my window and down the street. It’s empty.
I walk back to my bed. The tap on my window comes again. My heart leaps. I glance out the window and see the outline of a figure in the yard. My thoughts immediately turn to Dane. He’s waiting for me outside. I look again. Dane is standing there waiting for me to come outside.
I sit on my bed. My heart is beating too fast to go back to sleep. I want to hear Dane's voice. I want him to tell me that he and Lucy were a mistake. I grab a jacket and take a deep breath. I sneak to the front door and expect to see Dane when I open the door. The night air wafts across my face. Nothing but a street lamp in the corner illuminates the sidewalk. I see the figure next to a tree. It’s Dane. He disappears.
He’s going to our spot.
I glance back at the apartment. I know I shouldn
’t give Dane another chance, but I won’t be able to stand not talking to him. I take a few steps towards the tree. I see shadows moving. A tree branch rustles. At first, I think it’s the wind. Then the branches begin to shake. My eyes go wide. I hear a loud bang followed by a disturbing groan. A man steps out into the light. His face is rough and stern. His fists are still clenched as he stares at me looking disappointed.
“I thought I told you to stay in,” Mr. Haskell scolds me. I’m speechless. I see part of a torn hoodie on the ground behind him. “What are you doing here? Why would you walk outside on your own in the middle of the night at a time like this?”
“I thought-”
He puts his hand up and glimpses over his shoulder.
“See that,” he interrupts. He steps aside. I walk forward and see the full view of a hooded stranger stiff on the ground. It brings back memories of Bristlecone. My body is starting to shake. Whoever that is, he is not Dane.
“Yes.” I bow my head.
“Do you know who sent him?”
I shake my head.
“Yes you do,” Mr. Haskell insists. My chest freezes. He was right this whole time. Someone has been watching me. Following me.
The skeleton man is out to get me.
“I’m sorry.” I gulp.
“You’re lucky I’ve had my eye on this creep since yesterday,” he says firmly. “And I thought we had a deal?” He raises his eyebrows the same way Dane does. “I told you to stay away from my son.”
“Sir.” I swallow. “He just showed up at my doorstep.”
Mr. Haskell shakes his head.
“There’s something I need you to do for me.”
“What?”
“I don’t have time for this nonsense,” he mutters. He looks at the man in the hoodie. A wave of relief passes over me when I see his chest rise and fall. At least he’s not dead. “If you saw the man from Colorado again, would you recognize him?”
“In a heartbeat,” I answer. My voice is a bit shaky. “But I don’t ever want to see that face again.”
“Well you might have to one last time,” he replies.