“Do you know why I went emo, Jake? It wasn’t just about my dad dying. I didn’t get why we couldn’t be friends at school. You acted like I was a nobody when you started dating Sarah. It was like I didn’t exist to you anymore. You have no idea how lonely I was. Sometimes I felt like I . . . Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Turning emo gave me a place to fit in.
“Before that? Jake, you were the first boy I ever . . . that I was ever with, like that.” Her eyes welled up, but she flashed him an embarrassed look. The corner of his mouth turned up in his crooked smile. With a miniscule shake of her head, she continued. “I was nothing to you at school, and you were hanging with all the popular kids. But, at home? You couldn’t stay away from me. Could you? And then, when we started high school, all of a sudden, you’re with Sarah. And then I was nothing to you, even here at home, until you broke up with her.” She swiped at her eyes.
“Ari . . .” He moved toward her.
“No! Sit down. Let me finish.” She put her hand up but couldn’t look at him. “I should have said this a long time ago. Anyway, after you broke up with Sarah, you started coming back around. Suddenly, it seemed like I meant something to you again. And, I liked that. I didn’t want to screw that up again, but at the same time I didn’t want to ruin things with Greg.”
“I’m sorry I was a dick to you,” he interrupted before she could say more. “I didn’t make that connection. I didn’t really treat girls right. With Sarah, it wasn’t like it was with you. You and me? We could talk about anything. We still can. I never talked about personal stuff with Sarah. I never wanted to. She didn’t seem to mind, because she was so into herself. If it makes you feel any better, you weren’t some sort of conquest for me.”
“Gee thanks, that makes me feel really desirable.”
He raked his hair back off his forehead with his fingers and gave her his dimpled, lopsided smile, the one he knew she couldn’t resist.
“Don’t do that,” she said, scowling at him.
But, he held the grin. “What I mean is, you and I just kind of happened. I don’t know, it wasn’t forced. You were there for me, and I’d like to think I was there for you. When my mom left, and your dad died, I don’t know, it’s like—” He met her eyes with his. “We made each other feel better. I could talk to you about anything. When I was with you, none of that other shit mattered. Ari, I do care about you. I always will.”
She nodded. “Yeah, we were like that, weren’t we? To Greg, I was everything, even after he found out I was hearing. He said it turned him on that I could sign so well. He liked that Trevor and I were so close. Greg started losing his hearing when he was twelve. He’s almost completely deaf now. He’d just as soon turn off his hearing aid, or go without it, than deal with the teachers wearing that FM amplifier just for him. But, he stuck with it, for me. He chose Frederick Central over the deaf school.
“He has plenty of friends that go there. The guys are all right, but those girls that go there? They can’t stand me.” She shrugged, taking in a trembling breath. “Anyway, he said he can’t compete with you. He broke up with me—in a text.”
“Ari.” I don’t even know what to say to that. “I’m sorry. I really am.”
“It’s my fault, not yours. He saw me throw myself at you.” She sighed. “I only know that I want him back. But, I’m scared he’ll reject me. I don’t want to lose him.”
“If you don’t want to lose him, then go after him, Ari. You two belong together. I was a jerk to lead you on after I broke up with Sarah. I was being selfish.”
Her eyes teared up again. “Hello! You don’t get it, Jake. I just told you he dumped me.”
“Okay, so he broke up with you. I don’t believe he’s over you. You can’t fall out of love that fast. You obsess, like I did when Brie shut me out. It was like this sick panic I couldn’t shake, until I got her back.” But, now I’m in limbo again. “If you know he’s what you want, you have to go after him.”
“You did, with Sarah.”
“I did what with Sarah?” He scowled. Go after her? “Fall out of love?” He smirked. “I never loved her. I was pissed when she two-timed me. It was an ego thing. We were just status symbols to each other, a jock and a cheerleader. If I loved her, I would have fought for her. She was my hook-up and evidently someone else’s, too.”
“It’s different with Brie?”
He gave a slow nod. “Yeah. Yeah, it is.”
“I’m glad for you.”
He flashed his grin. “Go talk to Greg. Grovel if you have to. And, by the way, you really did look good at the show, and now. You don’t need to hide behind some tough image.”
“This is all so embarrassing, and here I am baring my soul to you.”
“Just like old times.”
“Yeah, old times.” She paused, while they both stared into the fire. “Thanks for the support. I mean it, Jake, thanks.”
“Any time, Amato.” He stood. “See you later.” He hesitated at the gate, waiting for her to say something more, anything. But, nothing came. He pulled the gate shut after him and looked back at Ari. Still staring at the fire, she hadn’t moved.
Chapter 27
Leif had just dried off from his shower and pulled on a pair of sweat pants. At the sound of the doorbell, he dropped to his bed, leaned over, and pressed the intercom button. “Yeah?” He fully expected to hear Jake’s voice. It was early in the morning, but the kid was in limbo.
“Frederick County Deputy Sheriff.”
Already? “Be right there.” Leif expelled his breath and shook out his hands, before opening his bedroom door. Brie had already made it to the staircase.
He held up his hand. “Hold up, it’s not him. I got it.”
She looked confused, but he brushed past her.
Maria swung the door open. “Dios mio! Leif?” Obviously confused, she stepped aside to invite an officer into the house.
“I know. I know. I got it, Maria.” Leif bounded down the steps.
“I get Carlos.”
“Maria, wait. It’s okay.” Leif ordered. He turned to the uniformed man. “What is it? What’s going on?”
“Leif?” Brie whispered.
Leif locked eyes with Brie. “Maria, go to her.” He didn’t look away until Brie was sheltered in Maria’s arms.
“Fredrick County Deputy Sheriff,” the man flashed his badge. He looked from Brie to Leif. “Are you Leif Erik Lindstrom?”
“I am. Why?”
“Do you know a Richard Blake Lehman?”
“Rick? They have him?” Brie gripped Maria’s arm.
Leif shot another glance at Brie, and then turned back to the deputy. “Did you find him? It’s about time. Has he been arrested?”
“Mr. Lindstrom, can you tell me where you were last night?”
“What? Where I was last night? Why?”
“Mr. Lindstrom, I’d like you to come with me to the sheriff’s office for questioning.”
“Wait, me?”
“We would just like to ask you some questions at the station about last night.”
“Last night? Can’t you ask them here? What do you want to know?” Leif looked back at Brie. Maria’s arm was still around her.
“No. You really need to come to the station.”
Leif turned back to the deputy. “Why? I prefer not to. Is this a custodial interrogation? Or, am I being arrested for something?”
“No, I’m not arresting you, but it would be in your best interest if you cooperate and come with me to the station.”
“Uh, hello?” Jake knocked on the open door, and walked in. Gauging the scene, he looked from Brie and Maria to Leif and the deputy. “What’s going on?”
The deputy motioned for Leif to leave with him.
“Thank God you’re here. Look,”
Leif spoke quickly, addressing Jake. “I want you to grab my phone out of my jeans. The passcode is Brie’s middle name spelled backwards,” he blurted. “Just keep that phone somewhere safe. Look up Olivia and tell her I’m being taken to the sheriff’s office for questioning. Tell her to meet me there.”
“Questioning? For what?”
“I don’t know.”
Jake didn’t move.
“Just do it, Jake! And, stay with Brie. Don’t leave her alone. I mean it, don’t leave her alone,” he repeated as the deputy led the way toward the patrol car.
“Brie? Come on.” Jake took her hand and walked up the steps with her. “Where’s Leif’s room?”
“This way, across from mine.” She guided him down the hall.
Entering Leif’s suite, Jake paused, scanning the room.
Brie picked up Leif’s jeans from the armchair next to his king sized bed. “Jake, here,” she fished the phone out of his jeans along with a flash drive. She slipped the flash drive into her pocket and handed him the phone.
Jake sat on the edge of the bed. “Okay, so what’s your middle name?”
“Anja.” She sat next to him.
He punched it into the phone. “Brie Anja Lindstrom, I like it.” He looked up, furrowing his brows.
“What’s wrong?” She leaned over to see the screen of the phone.
“It didn’t work.” He held the phone out.
“Well maybe he meant his other phone.”
“He has two phones?”
“Yeah, that’s his work phone. But, his other phone should be right here on his nightstand—” She picked up the free end of the charging cord. “He must have it with him.”
“If he has it, then why would he give me his passcode and tell me to call Olivia?”
“Then, he must have Olivia’s number in that phone. Try again.” She sat close, watching him enter the passcode. “Oh, wait, that’s not it,” she laughed. "It’s not with a Y. Anja, A-N-J-A.”
“But, backwards. Yep, it worked that time.”
Jake navigated to the contacts. Olivia. Okay, here goes nothing. He pressed call.
“Hey, babe,” came the sexy voice on the other end. Jake’s eyes widened. He glanced at Brie. This is his work phone?
“What?” Brie whispered.
He shook his head at her, focusing back on the call. “Uh, hello, is this Olivia?”
“Who is this? How did you get Leif’s phone?” The seductress had vanished. A brusque interrogator had taken over.
“Uh, my name is Jake Gordon. I’m Leif’s sister’s boyfriend. I—”
Before he could finish, he heard, “Okay, Jake Gordon, Leif’s sister’s boyfriend.” Jake cringed at the sarcastic sound of his words coming back. “Please tell me why you are calling me from Leif’s phone.”
“Leif asked me to call you. He’s being taken to the sheriff’s office for questioning.”
“Did he say anything else?”
“Just that you should meet him there. Do you think I should call a lawyer or something?”
“Oh honey,” her condescending laugh came through the phone. “I am his lawyer.”
“Oh . . .” I got nothin’.
“I’m assuming we’re talking about Frederick County?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m on my way.” She hung up. Jake looked at the phone.
“Well? What did she say?”
Leif’s doing his lawyer. “That was his lawyer. She’s on her way. Brie, what’s going on?”
“I don’t know. That cop asked Leif if he knew Rick, and then he took him to ask questions.”
“Wait, the police found Rick? Did they arrest him?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know anything. Wait, no. No, Leif wasn’t arrested. They just wanted to ask him questions. Maybe they arrested Rick? Jake, I don’t know. None of this makes any sense.”
“Are you okay?” Moving closer, he brushed a lock of her hair from her face.
She gave an absent nod, but then with a hitch of her breath, she grabbed his arm. “Jake, I’ve got to go to the station. I think Leif might have done something to Rick.”
“Whoa. Wait a minute, why do you think that?”
“That cop asked Leif if he knew Rick and then asked him where he was last night. Jake, I have to go to the station. I can help him.”
“No. Leif would be pissed. He wants you to wait with me. Wait, the cop asked Leif where he was last night?”
“Yes.”
“Like what time last night? He was here late last night. I was here with him. It was after midnight. I can testify to that. And, weren’t you with him before and after the art show? You weren’t there that long. Brie, I came here to see you last night. Leif told me to wait until today. He told me why you took off from the art show.” Jake pulled the note she had written out of his back pocket. “He gave me this, with the deer blind sketch. We really need to talk about what happened last night, but not here. Let’s go out for breakfast.”
“Go out? No. I’m not going anywhere until Leif gets back. Maria can make you breakfast. Let’s just—”
“Brie! There’s nothing we can do for him here. He’ll call as soon as everything’s cleared up. There’s no way he could have done anything to Rick last night. They won’t keep him.
“C’mon.” Giving her his best pouty look, he held out his hand to help her up. When she fought to hold back her smile, he knew he had her. “By the way,” he said, pulling her up. “I want the sketch that goes with this note.”
“Jake, I’m so embarrassed about that. How about we just trade. You give me the note back, and I’ll give you the sketch. We can forget I ever wrote it.” She tried to snatch it from his hand, but he pulled it back.
“Um, no. This note has my talking points.” His teasing grin crept onto his face.
“Oh my God, Jake! Just give it to me. I’m sorry.” She stepped back from him. “I just couldn’t stay there at the show.”
His sanguine mood slipped. He waited for her to say something, anything. But, she didn’t. Instead, she went to her drawing table, picked up the matted sketch, and held it out to him. “Here, for you.”
“Brie, I didn’t mean for it to be like this.” He took the sketch. “Here.” He held out the note.
“No.” She scoffed. “Keep it. Keep them both. It’ll remind you I’m nuts. Jake, I’ll be the first one to admit I’m insecure, and I have trust issues. But, can you at least, I don’t know, at least think of what it looked like to me? The way you and Ari were—together, standing there?”
“Brie, I know. I do. That’s the first thing I thought of. What it must have looked like to you. But, come on. It wasn’t.” He hesitated again and when she remained quiet, he continued. “Really. Let’s go to this quiet little coffee shop on Patrick Street. I’m sure you’ll like it. We can talk there about what happened last night, with Ari.” He met her eyes. “And, with Ryan.”
She expelled her breath. “Okay, let me get my keys.”
“That’s the other thing,” he said. He dangled his keys in front of her. “I want to take you. Got it for my birthday. I’ll drive.”
“No way! Is it in the driveway?”
“Yep.” He grinned just as his phone vibrated. “Just a second.” As he checked the text, Jake heard a loud whine and then a bark. He looked up. “Is that—?”
“Oh my gosh! I forgot to tell you.” She grabbed his hand. “Come to my room.”
“If you insist,” Jake said with a brilliant grin.
She blushed. “I mean, it’s Roxy. Leif found her.” She opened her door.
“Hey, girl.” Jake said, taking a knee. Roxy sniffed all over him with her wet nose. When the dog deserted him for Brie, Jake stood and looked into her room. It was bright
and airy with contemporary furniture, in a light ash. The color scheme was light and fresh, with white, pale greens, and lavenders. Crisp.
Jake’s smile faded. On the white carpet, near the foot of the king-sized bed, was a light brown stain. His eyes went to hers. She had been watching him.
She drew in her breath, but before she spoke, Jake walked toward her photo board.
Most of the photos were of Leif and Brie together, like the one of her sixth birthday. He looked closer at a picture near the center of the board. “Is that your mom and dad?”
She nodded. “Before they were married.”
“They look happy. Wait, is that you?” He laughed, pointing to a picture that was stuck under the elastic in the lower right corner. She was peeking up over a tray of just-baked, heart shaped, sugar cookies, biting her lower lip in a grin.
“Yes.” She pouted. “Hey, I like that picture. My mom and I were baking cookies for Valentine’s Day.”
“No, it’s cute.” He shrugged. “What, are you—like four years old?” Every picture on the board seemed to be from when she was very young, except the one of her parents and the photo she’d sketched of Jake playing football.
She sidled up to him, and as she did, he wrapped his arm around her. “What are you thinking?” she whispered.
“I’m thinking that I’m glad you didn’t take me off your board yesterday.” He turned to face her. “I’m sure you want to know what the deal is with Ari. It’s kind of a long story, but I’ll tell you everything. Just promise me something. If you get pissed at me again, for anything, can you just talk to me? When you take off like you do, I can’t handle it.” He reached out to touch her face.
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