by Naomi Niles
“I had to get you something.”
“I’m just glad you’re here.”
“I want to talk to you about something.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Remember I told you about the guy that was trying to sabotage the security system?”
“Did something happen? Are you OKokay
“I can handle myself, but he came by last night and disconnected the cameras again, and the office manager is freaking out. She’s going to drop our contract if we don’t stop the people that are doing this.”
“What are you going to do?”
I sighed. “They want me to work nights.”
“No, really?”
“Yes, and I’m sorry. It’s a huge hassle, I know, but it’s just until we catch the guy.”
“Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I promise.”
“Do we still get to go see Jesse tomorrow?”
“Of course.” I wrapped my arms around her. “I want a chance on the dance floor with you.”
“Anytime,” she leaned in to kiss me.
Lexie walked up and cleared her throat.
“What?” Gillian turned back.
“I’m starving. Let’s go.”
“Alright. Alright.” Gillian got one last kiss in before she left. A part of me left with her.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Gillian
I called Lexie the next morning after breakfast to ask her if she could help me find something to wear for my date with Dwayne. After some time in the mall, we settled on our favorite thrift store.
“What do you think about this?” Lexie grabbed a simple blue A-line dress off the clothes rack.
“No, there’s no shape.”
“You don’t want to give everything away. You’re just getting started.”
“We’re past that point.”
“Alright.” She went back to the clothes rack.
“How about this?” I pulled a pair of jeans off the rack. “They’re tight and the fabric is stretchy. It’ll fit to my skin.”
“You’d be leaving nothing to the imagination.”
“He doesn’t have to use his imagination.” I put the jeans in my shopping cart.
“You’re really going to get those?”
“You walk around in a leotard all day, and you’re worried about me wearing a pair of skinny jeans.”
“I think you’re moving too fast, Gillian. What if this doesn’t work?”
“I’m enjoying myself, and there’s nothing wrong with trying.”
“It’s a huge risk,” Lexie said as she shuffled through clothes.
“So was opening the dance studio, and that worked out. Besides, we already talked about this. I promised to be careful.”
“I still worry.”
“I know you do, but I’m going to be okay. He has no intention of leaving, and neither do I.”
Lexie nodded her head. “Those jeans do look good.”
“They’re sexy.”
We retreated to our favorite sushi restaurant for lunch and found a booth in the back so we could have some privacy. “I’m worried,” I said when our food came.
Lexie was mixing her soy sauce and wasabi with her chopsticks. “Why?”
“He’s having some trouble at work.”
“What kind of trouble?” She grabbed a piece of sushi and dipped it in the mixture.
“Somebody has been coming to the building where he works to cut off the cameras, and they’re having trouble finding the guy.”
“Why are they doing that?”
“It’s a financial building. That’s all I know. He thinks that they want to break into the records.”
“Is he in danger, Gillian?”
“I don’t know.” I took a sip of my soda. “Nobody knows. That’s what’s really bothering me.”
“The uncertainty.”
“Yes. He tried to confront them the first time they came to the building and they ran off. Now they’ve got him working nights so he can watch out for them.”
“I think he can take care of himself, Gillian.”
“That’s what he said, but nobody’s invincible. There’s always a chance.”
“You’re worried because you care, not because he’s in danger.”
“I’m not buying it.” I popped a piece of sushi into my mouth.
We got back to the house later than I wanted. I had to rush to get ready. I wasn’t worried about impressing Dwayne any longer. I was more worried about looking nice for him and adding little things like a gold bracelet and extra perfume. I wanted him to see me at my best because I wanted him to have the best.
When he pulled up to the house and knocked on the door, he was carrying a white and lavender orchid wrapped in plastic. “Those are my favorite.” I pecked him on the lips.
He took a moment to look me over, shaking his head. “You’re so beautiful. Every time I pick you up, I just want to rip your clothes off.”
“Let’s delay the moment. It’ll be more fun that way.”
“If you insist.”
“Come inside. I’ll pour you a drink.”
“That sounds wonderful. What’ve you got?”
“I have beer,” I said as I ducked down into the fridge to pull one out. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” He popped the top off and took a sip, then took a seat on a stool in front of the counter.
“Have you heard anything from work?”
“No, I spent all day looking for clues to hunt these guys down, but it’s not working. They’re careful. They know what they’re doing. Just the other night, I got a call from somebody masking their voice telling me to quit.”
“You what? Dwayne… These people know who you are?”
“I don’t think they know me personally, but they found my number.”
“And, if they found your number, they might be able to find your address.”
He took a swig of his beer. “I’m a SEAL — an elite fighter — and I’ve been in a lot worse situations than this. Anyone who decides to come to my door is going to get a fight.”
Once again, that uncertainty crept in. It was a glaring reminder of just how fragile our relationship was. “Promise me you won’t put yourself in harm’s way. That building isn’t worth the risk.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”
“I’m not going to get hurt.” He drank the rest of the beer and hopped off the stool to walk around the counter and wrap his arms around me. He stared down with a warm smile and kissed me. “Nothing is going to happen to me. I’m here for you, and I’m not going anywhere.”
I wanted to hold onto that and use it as a security blanket. He was so sure, but I wasn’t. The whole way to the bar, I kept imagining him lying on the ground in the back of Adams Tower, bleeding out.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Dwayne
I wanted to reach out to Gillian tell her that everything would be okay, but I knew that she wouldn’t believe me. If only she’d seen the things that I’d seen — she wouldn’t be worried about some punk with a knife. She’d be clinging to me, ready to have a good time. Instead, she stared out the window the entire drive and slumped back when I pulled into the lot.
I didn’t know what to say to her. I’d never been in this situation before, so I put on a smile and said, “Come on. Let’s go dance.”
“Alright.” She tried to perk up, but her smile didn’t reach as far as it should’ve and she kept her head down when we walked into the bar.
It was a dive, low lit and drenched in the smell of rolled cigarettes and liquor, but Jesse was already up on stage, letting his deep southern voice fill the air. I felt the beat instantly and watched it hit Gillian, like a drug just starting to take effect. She grabbed my hand and pulled me to the bar.
“What’ll it be?” the bartender yelled over the music.
“Two shots of whiskey,” she said.
“No, I-”
“Fine, one shot, but I still have to take you home.”
“Here you are.” The bartender slapped the drinks down, spilling the amber liquid.
“What should we drink to?” I picked up my glass.
“To a night together.” She clinked her glass against mine and downed her shot like water.
“May there be many more.” The whiskey went down hard, but it felt good to have the warmth spreading throughout my body.
We turned back to the dance floor. Jesse nodded his head at me with a wink. “He’s sober,” I whispered.
“Not for long, I’m sure. Let’s dance.” She grabbed me by the hand and pulled me out there.
“I’m not very good at this.”
“That’s okay.”
Right on cue, the music changed and the beat was slower. Jesse was smiling. He did it on purpose. “Just pull me close,” she said.
I wrapped my arm around her waist and let her rest her head on my chest. “That’s where you belong,” I whispered.
She looked at me with wide, serious eyes, then rested her head back down. She was so innocent, untouched by the bitter things in life. I felt tainted, like I wasn’t good enough for her. I’d never stop trying to find ways to thank her for what she was doing to me.
I realized I hadn’t had any flashbacks since our first night together. Michael had told me that I needed a distraction to get past the things I’d seen, and he was right. Gillian was the perfect distraction. When she was around, that world felt distant, like it didn’t exist at all.
“Gillian,” I said.
She looked up, “Yes?”
“You’ve made everything so much easier on me. I want you to know that. I was so scared when I first got out… I’ve seen a lot, and it hasn’t been easy for me to move past it. I just want you to know you mean a lot to me.”
“We have something, don’t we?”
“I think we do.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, this singer needs to wet his throat. We’ll be back in a moment.” Jesse walked off stage to get a drink.
“I’ll be right back,” Gillian excused herself and walked into the bathroom.
“Hey, bro.” Jesse walked up, holding a beer.
“How are you?”
“Tired. We’ve been all over the south, and we still got two shows in Gulfport. I don’t know how I’m going to make it.”
“You run out of weed?”
“Never.” He chugged his beer. “Who’s that fine thing you’re with? Is that Gillian?”
“Yeah.” I looked back to the bathroom door.
“Fucking sexy, dude.”
“Back off,” I warned as I took a step forward.
“Hey, hey…” He held out his arms. “I’m just saying. You got yourself a keeper.”
“You really think so?”
“I saw the way she was looking at you on the dance floor. That’s not just sex.”
“I’ve never been one to trust your judgment, you know that, but I think you might be right.”
“I am.” He chugged his beer and walked back to the bar.
“Were you two talking about me?” Gillian came up behind me.
“I… No…”
“It’s okay,” she laughed. “I’m just fooling with you. You wanna go dance?”
“Of course.” She pulled me back onto the dance floor.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Gillian
The morning light streamed into the curtains, casting a warm ray over my face. I turned over, still basking in the sweet moments from the night before. I could smell the sex and sweat, mingling with the scent of frying bacon and coffee. I stood up and pulled on my clothes. I had slept over at Dwayne’s house, nestled in his arms.
When I walked out, he was standing in the kitchen, wearing nothing but his white boxer briefs and an apron. He took the bacon out of the pan and set it on a plate. “That is so sexy.” I went up behind him and pinched his butt.
“Are you hungry?”
My eyes moved from the plate of bacon, to the pile of pancakes, strawberries, and eggs. “That looks delicious.”
“Here.” He picked up a strawberry and held it out. I bit into it, letting the juice roll down the side of my mouth.
“You didn’t have to do all this.”
“I’ve decided that you deserve nothing but the best, and I will spend every moment I can making sure that you have it.”
“That’s a valiant effort, but I don’t need a man to do that for me. I’m happy just having you here.”
“I can try, though. Can’t I?”
“Hmm,” I rubbed my chin, pretending to think about it. “I suppose, but don’t go overboard.”
“There is no overboard.” He pulled a plate out of the cupboard.
He had a rose sitting in water next to my place. I sat down and let him fret over me. He poured the syrup over my pancakes and made sure I had enough before he even sat down. I felt honored, but I didn’t want him to think that he had to do all of that to be with me. He had me.
“Thank you,” I said when he sat down.
“You’re always welcome.” He bit into a sausage.
I started to cut my pancakes, then felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I pulled it out. “Michael, as always, you have the worst timing.”
“Gillian…” His voice was low and hoarse.
“Michael, what’s wrong?” Dwayne looked up at me and leaned forward.
“It’s Mom.”
“What about Mom?” My voice cracked and I felt tears welling up.
“She’s not well. She’s in the hospital.”
“What happened? Michael, please tell me…” My breath caught in my throat. Dwayne took my hand.
“I don’t know what to say. She was having some pain in her shoulder last night and seized up, so Dad took her to the hospital.”
“Is it a heart attack?”
No response.
“Michael, did Mom have a heart attack?”
“Yes,” he was sobbing.
“I’m coming. If anything happens to her, let me know right away. You promise?”
“Yes,” he promised.
When I hung up, something cracked, and the tears started falling. I was shaking, struggling to catch my breath, holding onto Dwayne’s hand as if he could save me. “Come here,” he said, standing and walking around the table to hold me.
“She could die.”
“I’m not letting you go through this alone.”
I wrapped my arms around him and held him tight. He would be my anchor, the one vibrant thing in a world that’d lost its luster. Everything was hazy, dull and numb. This didn’t feel real. I told myself I was dreaming and I’d wake up with my head resting on Dwayne’s shoulder. It made it easier to swallow what was happening. If it wasn’t real, it didn’t matter.
I was still sobbing when we pulled into the hospital and parked. Dwayne took my hand. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere, okay?”
“Okay.” That was the only comfort I was going to get. It should’ve been enough, but it wasn’t. When we walked into the waiting room, still holding hands, the receptionist was talking on the phone.
She looked up at me and pointed a brittle finger at the clipboard sitting on top of the desk. I signed in and waited until she hung up. “Are you here to check-in?”
“No, my mother was admitted for a heart attack last night.”
“What’s the name?” She started typing something on her computer.
“June Halstead.”
“Go on back.” She buzzed us through into the maze of freezing cold corridors. I watched the rooms as we passed by. There’d be couples, holding their lover’s hand for the last time. Young men, bleeding out of fatal gunshot wounds, and children that never had a chance. I didn’t think they could raise the temperature in there if they tried. Death had become a part of the place, as much as the plaster and the paint.
Befor
e we got to the room, I turned to Dwayne and took his hand, shaking now, sobs rolling down my body. He didn’t say anything. He just pulled me closer, making soft, soothing sounds. “Do you want me to go in with you?”
“No,” I stepped back, “I have to do this myself.”
“Okay.” He squeezed my hand.
I turned back to the open door and took a breath, hoping to calm myself, so I could be ready for what I was about to see. I took a step closer, another breath, another sob. She was lying on her hospital bed, her normally perfect black hair matted and drenched in sweat.
I couldn’t believe how small she was. It was like she’d shrunk to half her size overnight, and her skin, like thin tissue paper, revealed a map of veins and arteries. “No, come on. You don’t have to be like that.” My Dad and Michael were standing next to her. “Come here,” she held out her arms. They stepped aside so could get through.
I held her for a moment, still sobbing, then pulled back. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m more worried about you. You look like you’re to go to a funeral. I’m not going yet.”
“What did the doctors say?” I asked.
“She’s stable,” Michael said. His face was bright red from crying.
“Thank God. Mom, I don’t what I would do if something happened to you.”
“You don’t have to worry, sweetheart.”
“She’s going to be okay,” Michael said. Something caught his attention, and he turned towards the door. His hands balled up into fists when he saw Dwayne was standing in the door looking at him.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dwayne
When Michael saw me, I was certain that he was going to rush out and attack me. He had his fists balled up and was standing on the balls of his feet, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he relaxed and looked to me, then Gillian, then back at me again. “What are you doing here?”
“Michael, can I talk to you outside for a moment?”
“Wait!” Gillian rushed over to get between us.
“No, it’s fine.”
“Come on,” I motioned for Michael to follow me out.
“Now, I’m going to ask you one more time,” he stepped out, his teeth bared. “What are you doing here?” He stepped closer.