Chasing Each Other

by J. D. Rivera

  ***

  Arriving at work a couple of minutes early, I headed toward the break room without saying anything to anyone.

  “You okay?” I spun around to see Gage standing by the door, a look of worry on his face. Gage was one of the bartenders and he had a small crush on me. He was a great looking guy with messy brown hair and a great body. His face was always perfectly trimmed, making him look almost flawless.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?” I asked, tying my apron behind my back.

  He shrugged. “You just look upset. You usually at least say hi or something. Or tease me about the old ladies coming on to me.”

  “I just have a lot on my mind, I guess. Summer classes just wrapped up and intercession is about to begin, then the semester,” I rambled.

  “Okay,” he said, nodding. “But…if you ever need anything…whatever…I’m here.”

  He was such a sweet guy. But he wasn’t my type. Although, I wasn’t sure I even had a type anymore. Except Brad. But he’d never want filth like me. “Thank you. But I’d hate to take any of your time away from the cougars.”

  “There she is,” he joked. “Come on, it’s been busy all day. How you managed to get the afternoon off is beyond me. Larry must not have been thinking when he was making the schedule,” he said, gesturing for me to follow him.

  We walked out of the break room and I followed him toward the bar. “Your birthday is coming up, isn’t it?”

  I nodded. “Yeah.” I hadn’t really thought about my birthday much. It was just another day.

  “How about I take you out,” he said causally. “You know, just as a friend.”

  Narrowing my eyes at him, I asked, “Just as friends?”

  “I promise.”

  I didn’t really want to say yes, but I hated hurting his feelings. “Sounds good,” I agreed as I walked toward my section of tables.

  Work was chaotic, which was usual for Saturday night since Mario’s was located right next to campus, but I was way off. I kept looking around me, checking for what, I didn’t know. I was being paranoid, and I knew it. But I couldn’t help it. Everything was freaking me out. Every time someone touched me, I jumped out of my skin. It was awful and I couldn’t wait to get home.

  Once I was home, I showered, changed into my pajama shorts and tank top, and piled my hair on top of my head. I looked like a hot mess, but then, I felt like a hot mess.

  Walking into the kitchen, I found Kristin sitting at the table, eating a plate of brownies. “Want one?” she asked before stuffing her face. Kristin was one of those gorgeous girls that could actually eat the entire pan and never gain an ounce of weight. I wanted to hate her for it. That and her gorgeous brunette hair. But she was too nice to hate.

  I shook my head. “I’m okay. Just getting a drink and calling it a night.”

  “It’s been one of those days for you, too?”

  “Yeah. Work was crazy and I’m zapped,” I told her, filling a glass with water and grabbing some headache medicine.

  She took another bite of brownie. “Ugh. I’m sorry.”

  “What happened to make you come home and eat a pan of brownies?” I asked before taking a sip and knocking back the pills. I could feel a headache forming, no doubt caused from my stressful day.

  “Same ole, same ole,” she replied. She took a drink of milk before saying, “Adam was in one of his jerk moods today. I asked him if he wanted to see a movie and he got mad and left.”

  “Why do you put up with him?” I asked, thinking I was the last person who had any say in the matter.

  She looked down at her plate before looking back up at me. “I don’t know. Routine? Scared of being alone? I’m not really sure anymore.”

  “I understand that,” I said before taking another sip. “Just don’t lose yourself, okay?”

  She nodded and I walked into my room, closing the door behind me. I wanted to run back out there and tell her to breakup with him. Tell her what happens when you stay with someone who’s toxic, but I couldn’t. I was afraid she would see the real me. I just hoped my small warning would be enough.

  My phone buzzed with a text and I picked it up from my nightstand.

  Carson: Come outside.

  What the hell?

  Me: Why?

  Carson: Just come outside.

  I looked down at my clothes and sighed. I couldn’t go outside in my tiny tank top and short shorts. I quickly found a pair of yoga pants and a shirt with “Freak” across the chest and threw them on. I didn’t bother fixing my hair since it was just Carson.

  I walked down the hallway and was opening the door when Kristin said, “I thought you were going to bed?”

  I laughed. “I thought I was, too. Carson just texted me and wants me to come outside.”

  “He’s a little crazy.”

  If only she knew. “Yeah, but you gotta love him.”

  “Why don’t you date him?” she asked.

  I shook my head, giving her a look of disgust. “He’s my something, something removed cousin by marriage. So that’s a no.” I stepped out the door. “I’ll be back,” I hollered in her direction before closing it.

  When I walked outside, Carson was sitting in his SUV, looking at his phone. He didn’t see me approach so I just yanked the passenger side door open and yelled, “What the hell is this about, dork?”

  His head snapped up. “You scared the shit out of me!”

  “Sorry,” I shrugged, “but what the hell do you want?”

  He started the vehicle. “Listen, freak, just put on your seatbelt.”

  I huffed but complied as he pulled out of the parking lot. We drove across town, just listening to the radio when he finally pulled into the lot of an ice cream shop.

  “What are we doing here?”

  “I wanted ice cream and needed someone to come with me.”

  “So you just decided that someone should be me?” I asked, trying to sound irritated. The truth was, I thought it was funny that he wouldn’t go out for ice cream by himself.

  “Well, Hayes was busy. Something about having a kid and a hot girlfriend,” he stated, a smirk playing on lips.

  I laughed. “I know for a fact you didn’t call Hayes. He would have laughed at your ass.”

  “Okay, fine. I didn’t call Hayes. I just thought I’d pick you up and take you out for ice cream.”

  I shook my head and we both exited the vehicle. He playfully put his arm around my shoulder. “You know you love spending time with me.”

  “I don’t think so,” I said, shaking my head and laughing.

  We both ordered sundaes and found a booth near a window. I took a bite and swallowed before finally asking, “Why did you really pick me up?”

  He looked down at his sundae and then back up at me. “Because you’ve been sad. You don’t think anyone notices, but I do. I’ve known you for forever and I know the girl sitting across from me isn’t the real Miranda.”

  Holy shit! How the hell did he know? What else did he know?

  My eyes bugged and I felt like I was going to pass out. It was one thing to know I wasn’t happy, but it was another to call me out on it. He’d alluded to my depression at Harley’s party, but now we were alone, and I was terrified. I hope he didn’t expect me to explain anything. I wouldn’t. I couldn’t.

  “Hey, calm down, okay? I can tell you’re freaking out. I just wanted you to know I’m here. Besides, I owe you. Remember?”

  I giggled. “How could I forget the day I punched Sam in the face?”

  “That was classic!”

  I took a bite. “She fucking deserved it. She strung you along for so long and then…” I couldn’t finish. I didn’t want to bring up the night Sam dumped him for the final time. We were all at a party and she broke up with him in front of everyone. Then she slept with another guy just a little while later. A couple of weeks after it happened, I was drunk as shit and punched her in the face for hurting him.

  “Yeah. I’m over it,” he said quickly. I knew he w
asn’t technically over it. Sam was the whole reason he had become a man whore. He slept with any girl who was willing—which most were—without a care for any of them.

  “Of course you are. You’re way too good for her anyway,” I told him.

  “Maybe you should take your own advice? You were way too good for that douche, but you never realized it. He broke you and I promise, if I ever see him, I will kill him.”

  Ha! More like perfect for Preston. I just stared at him, not knowing what to say. I finally decided to go with humor. It is, after all, the best route in avoidance. “Well, don’t do that. I’d hate for Brad to have to arrest you for murder.”

  Brad. Of course, I had to mention him. Don’t think about Brad. You aren’t anywhere near good enough to even look at him.

  “That would be bad, I guess. Maybe I’ll just beat the fuck out of him instead?”

  I laughed. “That would be okay,” I replied before taking another bite of my sundae. “You know, I was tired and ready for bed, but I’m glad you texted me. This sundae rocks!”

  “I know. Fuck, I may get another one,” he said as he took his last bite.

  “You’ll be sick. And I’m not coming over to that disgusting place you call an apartment and taking care of you.”

  “That hurts,” he joked. “Besides, I’m not the nasty one. That’s all my roommate. My room is clean.”

  “Sure it is,” I told him before finishing off my sundae, too. “It’s late. We should probably call it a night.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I didn’t realize how late it was.”

  We left the ice cream shop and he cranked up the music in his SUV. He put on a classic rock station and we both sang, Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard as loud as we could. When the song changed to Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison, I sat back and let Carson sing. It was then that I realized how beautiful his voice was. How had I never known he could actually sing?

  “You have an amazing voice, Carson,” I told him, still a little shocked.

  He shrugged. “Thanks.”

  “Why don’t you…I don’t know, try to be a singer?”

  “I believe I just was.” He smirked.

  I playfully hit him on the arm. “You know what I mean, ass. Why don’t you try to be a musician? Go on the road, make millions, and never forget your friend Miranda?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never given it much thought. Lots of people can sing and never do anything with their voices. I guess I’d rather pick a career that has more of a probability of me making money.”

  I shrugged. “Well, you should think about it. Or at least perform at local bars or something. Your voice is amazing,” I told him as we pulled into my apartment parking lot.

  “Thanks for coming with me tonight,” he said, putting the vehicle in park.

  I placed my hand on his. “Thank you. I really mean that. Tonight was fun. I guess if you ever need someone to go eat ice cream with, you can count on me.”

  He grinned. “You’re welcome. Now get your ass out of my car.”

  Chapter 4

  Brad

  After working all night and into the morning, I dropped my keys on the kitchen counter and went in search of food. I was starving. I found some chips on top of the fridge and settled down on the couch.

  I grabbed a handful while mindlessly flipping through the channels. This had become my life over the years. Work myself to death until I made an arrest, then come home and eat junk food. It was starting to wear on me, but every time I thought about taking a break, I remembered why I wanted to be a homicide detective.

  “Did you have a good day at school?” my mom asked as I walked into the kitchen.

  I shrugged. “I guess. Why are there cop cars around Mr. Mitchell’s house?” I asked.

  Mr. Mitchell was an elderly man who lived two doors down. I chatted with him every morning before I got on the bus, and on summer weekends, I’d mow his lawn and rake his leaves. He was like a grandfather to me.

  “Honey, why don’t we go sit on the couch and talk?” my mom suggested, her voice low and calm.

  I grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and nodded. “Okay.” I walked into the living room and flopped onto the couch. My mom sat down next to me and grabbed my hands as her eyes became watery.

  “Mom, are you all right?”

  She nodded as a tear fell down her cheek. “I’m fine, but I need to tell you something.”

  “Just tell me, Mom,” I said. She was starting to worry me. “Is it Dad?”

  “No. Your dad is fine.” She inhaled and then began. “The reason the police cars are at Mr. Mitchell’s is because...” she trailed off, her voice cracking, “he was killed.”

  “What do you mean, killed?” I couldn’t believe what she was telling me. “You have to be wrong, Mom.”

  She wiped the tears from her cheeks as tears formed in my own. “I’m so sorry, but it’s true.”

  “Why? How?”

  “A home invasion. That’s all I know right now.”

  My heart pounded out of my chest. This couldn’t be real. This had to be a bad dream. “They caught them, right?”

  “I’m sorry, Brad, but not yet. I’m sure the police are doing everything they can, though.”

  My mom squeezed my hands once more, drawing my attention to our joined hands. I tried to focus on that, willing myself not to cry. “They better. Mr. Mitchell deserves that. He deserves for the people who killed him to pay.”

  A loud noise from the TV snapped me out of my memory. A few weeks later, they found the two men responsible for Mr. Mitchell’s murder. It was then when I decided to be a homicide detective—for the Mr. Mitchells of the world.

  After polishing off the bag of chips, I looked at the time. Three o’clock. I was tired, but didn’t want to nap because I wouldn’t be able to sleep later.

  I rifled through my cabinets, which were bare, and found I was out of coffee. Great. Just fucking great. I slammed the cabinet shut then grabbed my keys.

  ***

  I ordered my regular coffee from the barista and stepped aside to wait, checking my text messages. I sent Hayes a text letting him know I was still able to babysit if he wanted to take Mackenzie out. Almost immediately, I received a reply.

  Hayes: Yes! I owe you.

  I inwardly laughed at how over-the-top in love he was with Mackenzie. It would normally make me a little nauseous to see a grown man fawn all over a girl, but since it was Mackenzie, I accepted it.

  “Bird?” the guy behind the counter said.

  I raised an eyebrow. “Do you mean Brad?”

  He looked at the cup, looked at me, then back to the cup. “Maybe. Did you order a regular coffee?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Here you go. Have a nice day.”

  “You, too,” I said, taking the cup from his hand and turning around. I glanced to the side where a beautiful woman sat, staring out the window with her laptop resting in front of her, being ignored. The sunlight shined directly on her back, drawing attention to her long blonde hair. She was gorgeous.

  I walked over to her table and stood for a few seconds to see if she would notice me. When I realized she was completely lost in her thoughts, I cleared my throat. “Mind if I sit down?”

  Miranda glanced up, her eyes widening. “Yeah. Of course.” She began closing her laptop and moving papers around. “I was just thinking about this paper I came here to write.”

  “Isn’t it summer? Fall classes don’t start until next month, right?”

  “Intercession just started. It’s a stupid Gen Ed course,” she remarked as she stuffed her laptop into her backpack.

  “Don’t let me stop you from studying. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” I told her, though I really didn’t want to go. I wanted to sit there and look at her beautiful face all day.

  “No, no. I was about to pack up anyway. Obviously I was getting nowhere.” She seemed nervous and I wondered why. We had spoken several times before and she had never been this tense.
<
br />   I tipped my cup back and took a drink as I thought of something to say. “I remember those days. Classes all day, then up all night studying. Tired all the time from no sleep.” Some things never change.

  She smiled, drawing my attention to her mouth. She had incredible lips. I’d noticed them the first night we’d met. “Something tells me you weren’t that studious back in your college days.”

  I laughed as I took another drink. “Yeah. You’d be correct.”

  She placed her finger on her bottom lip, tapping it as if in deep thought. Images of my finger brushing that lip right before I kissed her flashed through my mind. She’s way too young for you. Get a fucking grip.

  “I bet you were the drunk frat guy,” she said, flashing me a smile.

  I narrowed my eyes at her playfully. “Um, no. I was the guy who wasn’t really into anything. Just going to school. The occasional party.” I winked.

  “That suits you.”

  I took another drink. “Does it?”

  “Well, from what I know of you.” She wrinkled her face. “I think we’ve only spoken like twice.”

  I’d like to do a lot more than talk to you.

  I took in her pretty face as she finished her coffee. She had a certain sadness about her, but there was no denying how beautiful she was. I wondered who had put that sorrow there. Was it her parents? An ex-boyfriend? I was startled to realize I wanted to find out. Then I wanted to kick whoever’s ass it was. Not your business.

  “Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I better get going,” I told her, standing up.

  She nodded slightly. “It was nice seeing you, Brad.”

  “You, too.”

  ***

  I drove back to my apartment as I thought about Miranda. I had to remind myself that her problems were not my business. She wasn’t even my friend. She was Mackenzie’s friend. And she was way too young for me.

  Once I entered the apartment, I flopped onto the couch. I needed to get laid. That was my issue. It had been awhile and I was sure once that happened, I would get Miranda off my mind.

  I picked up my cell and sent a text to Natalie.