“Same for me,” Noah said quietly. “I mean, nothing has happened between us, but… yeah.”
A memory of his gaze on me during our yoga swirled through me, and I smiled. What Noah hadn’t said was, nothing has happened between us yet.
I unfurled my napkin cutlery. What was my problem? Weren’t things confusing enough with the whole work versus romance situation and liking two brothers at the same time without throwing a third in the picture?
But I couldn’t help it, I realized, as I took Noah in, his bashful slightly pinked cheeks and the wisps of a smile on his full lips.
“And as for that guy who was hanging around your apartment, don’t worry,” Peter said. “We’ll check him out check first thing on Monday.”
“I can check too,” I offered. “You don’t need to do that for me.”
Peter shook his head decidedly. “I want to. No way am I going to be able to relax if I keep thinking that guy could show up and cause trouble again.”
“Can’t believe he went into fight mode, just like that,” Jeremy mused.
Peter wasn’t surprised though. “These guys who get hired by a friend of a friend out of jail, they typically aren’t the brightest lightbulbs in the bunch. Or the most professional. We’re just lucky he didn’t pull a gun on us.”
“Or didn’t have a chance to,” I said grimly, glancing to my phone. I’d just gotten a text, and figured it was Jenny maybe returning my message.
Instead, what I saw made me drop the fork in my hand to the table with a terrific clang.
“Your boyfriends can’t protect you all the time,” the text from the unknown number said.
20
Noah
At the sound of Blair’s fork falling, I glanced to her phone.
“What the hell?” I said.
Blair showed it to the others, their faces going grim.
“That’s it, it’s settled,” Jeremy said. “You’re staying with us until this bastard is dealt with.”
“I am?” Blair was putting on a brave face, but I could see the cracks all over it.
“Please.” Under the table, I nudged her knee gentle with mine. “It’s as much for our peace of mind as yours.”
That got her smiling a little. “Do I really have a choice in this?”
“Not really,” Peter admitted sternly.
The defiant twinkle in Blair’s eye was enough to make me want to kiss her right there and now.
After making our pancake orders, the waitress left, leaving us to chat about our living arrangements.
“How’d you guys end up living together?” Blair wanted to know.
“Laziness, mostly,” Jeremy said. “And a few unfortunate ex situations.”
We relayed the basics to her. How Peter had been summarily kicked out, and I had lost my job before I got into the department. How it had just work so we’d stuck with it.
“It’s nice,” Blair reflected. “Being close with your siblings. I mean, people are always surprised at how well Ella and I get along, although it hasn’t always been that way.”
“You kidding me?” Jeremy cut in, jabbing an accusing thumb at Peter. “When I was seven, this guy broke my nose.”
“You flushed a good quarter of my Egyptian mummy Legos down the toilet,” Peter said drily, not a trace of apology on his face.
Blair laughed.
All the talk was more or less like that, an unfolding conversation that never seemed to stop. Being around Blair did that to us. She always asked questions, curiosity brimming on her face. She always listened and was easy to talk to. The way she laughed when I said something funny, how she gasped or raged at all the right parts. It made me want to tell her everything about myself, every last mundane thing that had ever happened to me, if only to get to experience her reaction.
By the time the pancakes arrived, we were more than ready for them. Although my blueberry ones were delicious, I couldn’t help but give Blair the top, best-cooked one.
“You sure?” she asked.
I nodded. Seeing her face slacken with delight as that first bit of blueberry goodness reached her taste buds was better than even eating them myself. Looking around the table it occurred to me, with an odd twinge, that this was the happiest I’d been in a long time. Years, even.
When Blair went to the bathroom, I confirmed what we’d decided.
“So, Blair’s staying over?”
“Definitely,” Peter said. “Why even ask again?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Just… she didn’t seem all that convinced when she agreed.”
A few minutes later, when we broached the subject again, it turned out just how right I was.
“It’s really generous of you guys, but I can’t avoid my place indefinitely.”
“It’s not indefinitely,” Jeremy pointed out. “Just until we figure out who that guy is and who’s threatening you.”
Blair chewed on her pancake piece placidly. Swallowing, a smile settled itself on her face. She took my hand and Peter’s. “I really appreciate your worry, but I’m not some helpless little girl.” Leaning in, in a lowered voice she reminded us. “I have a gun and a badge.”
Jeremy dropped the napkin he was holding, feigning being taken aback. “No shit?”
Blair bit her lip, grinning. “Anyway, point is, I’m not going to be creeping about like some scared victim. That’ll only give whoever’s doing this what they want. I’m not going to have my life ruled by fear.”
Strong words, but still, why couldn’t Blair wait just a few days?
Still, one look at her set face showed there’d be no arguing with her.
“Fine,” Peter agreed after a pause. “Although you can’t stop us from calling up to check on you. Or showing up.”
“You mean stalking me?” Blair quirked a brow.
Peter’s face remained impassive. “If that’s what it takes to keep you safe, then yes.”
Blair’s smile was as indefatigable as ever. The rest of the meal passed fairly uneventfully.
At the end, the waitress returned, her curious gaze settling on Blair.
“You lucky girl. Who are all these handsome boys, family?”
“Coworkers,” Blair said with a quick smile.
The waitress nodded, sensing something else but not pushing it. Good thing too.
If she knew what we really were she’d probably choke on her gum.
21
Blair
The rest of Saturday was basically catching up on errands I’d been meaning to do. Laundry, picking up groceries, then, a quick coffee chat with Jenny.
As soon as I saw my tall, gangly old friend, I knew I was in for it.
“Would you look at that!” she exclaimed, wagging her ring finger in my face.
Relationships were Jenny’s favorite topic – so long as she was in one, that was.
Although my friend meant well. She politely asked me about work and pretended to be interested as I gave her the in’s and out’s of a typical day. Her concern about the robbery mishap was genuine though.
“And you’re back to work already?!” Jenny’s normal sleepy-looking eyes were so bulged out they looked ready to pop.
“I’m fine, really, I am.”
I resisted the urge to sigh. Jenny was well-meaning, I knew that. It was just that this game got old back when we were in elementary school: me suffering a near-miss or a scrape, Jenny with enough concern for the two of us.
“So now,” she said, looking at me importantly, as if everything prior to this was just lead-up. “Tell me about him.”
When I gazed at her purposefully blankly, she gave an extravagant wave of her hand. “Don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean! Tell me about your new guy.”
“Jenny.”
“Don’t Jenny me. I haven’t seen you looking this happy in months.”
“Can’t I just be happy for my new job?”
Jenny’s hand went to her mouth, and when it came away, there was a knowing smile there. “I
t’s your new partner. Isn’t it?”
What was I supposed to say to that – lie?
“We still aren’t sure what to do,” was all I said.
Jenny nodded. “Understandable.” Although her suspicious look wasn’t finished yet.
“That’s not it, though. Is it?”
I groaned. “Can we just leave it for now?”
Jenny sipped at her latte. “For now, I guess so.”
Written all over her face was that I hadn’t heard the last of this – not by a long shot.
The rest of our coffee date consisted of Jenny quizzing me about my new ‘mystery man’s’ details, down to his hair color, eye color, and whether he was a dog or cat person.
By the time I got back home, I had just enough time to eat some leftover pizza, swig down some juice, and plop into bed. As soon as my head hit the pillow, my phone rang.
It was Jeremy.
“You were sleeping, weren’t you?” he said, sounding a bit guilty when I picked up.
“About to,” I said. “But it’s fine. What’s up?”
“Nothing, just wanted to be sure you were ok.”
I smiled. As unnecessary as the call was, it was still sweet. “Thanks,” I told him. “But I’m fine. Perfectly safe here.”
My eyes, now open, were having trouble adjusting to the pitch black. Jeremy wasn’t saying anything.
“Hello?” I said.
“Yeah,” he said. “I know. It’s just… there’s a really big part of me that wants to come over and make sure you stay safe.”
“Don’t,” I said sternly. “I appreciate the concern, and obviously, I’d love to have a sleepover with you. I just have an early breakfast with my parents, so I can’t afford to stay up.”
“Alright, alright,” he said, clearly disappointed. “Just… if anything happens-”
“I’ll call you, straightaway,” I said. “I know. Thank you, but seriously, I’m ok.”
“Great.” He cleared his throat. “What are you wearing, by the way?”
“Jeremy!” I said, then, “Nothing.”
“Really?”
“It’s pretty hot in here, I left my windows closed all day.”
“So, you just told me you’re alone and naked in bed, and I’m not allowed to come over?”
“Yep.”
A groan. “Would you tell me what you’re doing at least, or what you’d be open to doing.”
A pleasant buzzing warmth settled between my legs, although I didn’t allow myself to give into it. If I did, then I’d never get to sleep.
“Goodnight Jeremy,” I said firmly.
“Goodnight Blair,” he said.
Hanging up, it seemed only seconds later I was drifting off.
I awoke to the sound of a soft but unmistakable bang, then the sound of a door being jiggled on its lock.
I sat up in bed, listening. The floor creaked from just outside my door. Someone was trying to get in.
Soundlessly, I reached into my bedside table and got out my gun. Creeping to the kitchen, I pointed it at the dark shape of a man.
“Leave, or I’ll shoot!” I said, slamming on the lights.
They came on just in time for me to see the door go still and hear the unmistakable plod of feet running away.
22
Jeremy
Thank God, it was Monday. It was a first for that, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was seeing Blair. Yesterday, she avoided my calls, leaving only the most perfunctory text that she was fine.
In the morning, as Blair edged by me to get to her desk, she let out a cry once she reached it.
I arrived by her side to see the coffee I’d gotten her lying on its side, its hot contents spilling down the length of her desk.
“Sorry,” I said.
She only shook her head. “It’s my fault.”
“You ok?” I said, following her as she rushed to get some paper towels. She took several squares, I took the roll.
“Not really,” she admitted in an undertone. “That night after you called me…something happened.”
“Something happened,” I repeated, starting to help soak up the fallen coffee.
“Brought your partner a coffee and didn’t bring me one?” Chief Fallows said with a severe lip press as she passed by.
“It’s on your desk,” I called after her.
Judging by the fact that she gave no response, it would seem that I’d appeased her, at least momentarily. Although right now there were way more important things on my mind.
“What happened?” I asked Blair.
“Some guy tried coming in,” she said, concentrating her attention on mopping up some coffee that had somehow trickled all the way to the communal garbage can.
“What?” I said, then, lowering my voice. “Same guy as last time?”
“Not sure,” Blair admitted. “All I know is that he left when I pointed a gun at him and said that I’d shoot.”
“Shit,” I said.
As she spoke, all Blair’s facial muscles were tensed, her nostrils flared.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I said, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. “Or at least call it in to the station. Does the Chief know?”
Blair shook her head. “No, and I don’t want her to right now. She’s going to pull me off the street and put a protective detail on me. Once that happens, the guy will disappear and we won’t have a chance to catch him.”
I nodded. “You’re probably right about that, but I still don’t like the idea of you being alone after that. What did you do last night?”
“I slept over at my parents’ house,” Blair said simply.
“Your parents. Good.” I nodded.
“Can we drop it for now?” Blair cast a glance over her shoulder, although Chief Fallows was nowhere in sight.
“Sure,” I said. “I’ve got to run an errand myself.”
And, before Blair could protest, I headed over to the bathroom. There, I texted Peter – ‘Keep an eye on Blair if you can, gonna check out that guy I arrested’. Lucky for Blair and me, we were on paperwork duty for most of the day, so if I stepped out for some ‘case follow-up’, Fallows wouldn’t blink twice.
A good half hour or so later, and I was at the corrections facility where Francis was still apparently awaiting trial.
If he was surprised to see me, as I was led in by the cop, his face sure didn’t betray it. No, instead, a smile that I didn’t at all like cracked onto his face.
“You don’t have much reason to smile,” I said.
That only egged his smile on more.
“You threatened my partner the other day,” I said. “You know anything about a guy showing up outside her place?”
He shrugged, like a moody teenage girl, wiggling his brows at me.
Next thing I knew I was in his face, my hand on his throat. “You may think this is funny. But it’s not funny to me. Not one fucking bit.”
He let out a choked noise that, when I removed my hand, revealed itself to be laughter.
“I mean it,” I warned him. “You keep harassing her, I can see that your sentence gets extended so far that you won’t see the light of day as a free man ever again.”
He was still bald, I noted, as I glared at him, pacing around. But there was something different, something missing. The willingness to relent I’d seen during the robbery, it was all gone. Francis knew now he had nothing to lose.
Too bad I had something big – a really damn important person.
“I mean it,” I told him. “Back the fuck off..”
He looked at me, tilted his head all coy. “Your bitch partner will get what she deserves.”
Next thing I knew, my punch had connected with the side of his head, and a guard was running in here and pulling me off of him.
“Jeremy,” he was saying, starting to lead Francis away.
“He’s threatening my partner, Steve,” I said.
Now I saw it wasn’t just any guard, it was my buddy Steve, who�
�d done me this favor to let me in here in the first place.
But it was too late. Steve was leading away Francis, and Francis was laughing and mocking me the whole way out the door.
All there was to do was storm off, his laugh clanging in my ears like a rattlesnake’s rattle.
Now, there was no doubting it: I had to protect Blair and keep her safe.
23
Blair
When Jeremy returned, his ‘errand’ hadn’t gone well, that much was obvious. But he laughed it off and cleared the mood by making me promise to go to a comedy show with him and the others that night.
“Do Peter and Noah even know about it?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said, before admitting, “Ok, not exactly. But point is, that they’d love to come, and they’d love it best if you were there.”
“Ok,” I agreed.
Getting out and having some fun wouldn’t be the worst thing after that harried Saturday night. Sunday night, even though I’d double locked every door in my parent’s house, checked all the windows, and put my gun under my pillow, I still had hardly been able to sleep for a straight hour without jolting up, shaking.
Not to mention that it was stressful enough being cooped up in the station on paperwork duty, while the Chief strode by what seemed like every fifteen minutes.
By the time our shift was over, we were raring to go. Peter and Noah joined us, fresh from breaking up a violent protest.
Noah could only smile. “Jeremy’s overplaying it. One guy chucked his sign at us, then ran off screaming when Peter reached for his gun.”
Peter smiled grimly. “Gets them every time. Lucky too, that I never actually have to use it.”
Now that we had left the station and were on our way to our cars, Noah held out his arm.
“You ready?”
I smiled. “I’m ready.”
On the way to the comedy show, we stopped at a pizza place for some food and then to change.
“A bit annoying, isn’t it?” I asked the others as we sat at a pinstriped booth, munching on our oozy pizzas. “How everyone gets all quiet and nervous when we’re around in uniform.”
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