Inseparable

“I don’t know. We can go to the police and tell them my dead sister told me in a dream the man convicted of your sister’s murder didn’t in fact murder her, but sold her to a sex ring,” I felt Dane’s arms tighten, “It sounds a little far-fetched,” I added.

“Okay, well we will head home tomorrow, and who knows, maybe we will have some new information by then,” He sounded hopeful. I turned to face him, shocked. Did this mean he was starting to believe me? “Don’t look at me like that Lil. I don’t know what I’m thinking; I just know that you’re the best lead we have right now.”

I kissed him, suddenly needing his mouth on mine. Having him believe in me – that I wasn’t crazy – meant the world to me. I could handle everyone else thinking I was a nut, but there was something different about Dane. I cared about how he saw me. That was something I hadn’t felt in a long time. We continued to kiss, not going any further than that, enjoying each other’s touch.

As we lay together in the single bed, I stroked his back gently until he finally fell asleep. He rolled over slightly, snuggling in close to me. I took in his body, the freckle that sat just above his left nipple, the small scar that ran across his collarbone. I ran my fingers over his chest, as if seeing him for the first time. I almost felt as if I was invading his privacy, looking at him like this. I ran my fingers over a long, jagged scar that ran down his right side. At about five inches, it was a decent size. What was that from? I remembered Kella saying something about the boxing team. He must have taken a decent hit to cause that.

I lay back, watching his chest rise and fall. Reaching down for the bedspread and blanket, I pulled them up over us. It was after midnight, and the chill was setting in the air. I could make out the frost beginning to set on the sill of the window. Yawning, I closed my eyes.

Chapter Sixteen

“Well you definitely have good taste,” Abby said, surveying the sleeping Dane that lay next to me. I rolled my eyes, and smiled.

“I’ve always had good taste,” I retorted. She was right about one thing, Dane was a great choice. “So, we saw Cole, the cellmate.”

Abby nodded. Of course, she already knew. I wasn’t sure how the whole being dead and knowing everything thing worked, and the one time I’d asked, she’d skirted around the subject.

“What now?” I asked, completely at a loss, “The police won’t help. Thank god Dane believes me. Or at least doesn’t not believe me.” That seemed a better way to describe it.

“Lil, you need to get him there. He needs to go there.”

“Where?” I shouted, frustrated she wasn’t giving me straight answers, “You keep saying I need to get him there, but then you won’t say where. This country is a huge place, Abby.”

“Okay, okay,” Abby nodded impatiently, “There is a small neighborhood in Brooklyn, called Brownsville. Go there, and find a woman named Eva Feluca. She may not want to help you, but she can lead you to Steffy.”

“Why can’t you just give me a straight answer?” I cried, “Seriously I feel like you have me running in circles.”

“I’m sorry Lil. I’ve told you more than I should have already,” Abby’s eyes were sad. She was frustrated too, “I love you Lil. Be careful.”

My eyes flew open. Dane lay next to me, still asleep. The clock read 7:34. I sighed, relieved I’d managed a few hours of sleep. Next to me, Dane stirred, mumbling something in his sleep. I nudged his shoulder.

“Dane,” I whispered, rocking him softly, “Wake up.” He opened an eye, stretching out his body. I tried not to look at his bare chest as it curved toward me; unsuccessfully, because all I did was stare.

“What time is it?” He mumbled, not yet out of his slumber.

“Nearly eight. Come on. We have to get going,” I tried again, this time he opened both eyes, and sat up, rubbing his head.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, finally hearing the urgency in my voice. He stood up, throwing his shirt on while he waited for me to talk. I took out my little bottle of mouthwash and swished a capful around in my mouth, before spitting it down the bathroom faucet. I held the bottle out to Dane. He cocked his head.

“Is that a hint?” He grinned.

“Well, I’m sure as hell not going to kiss you with your morning breath,” I said, spraying under my arms with deodorant. I offered him that too. He took the can dubiously, reading the label.

“‘Naturally feminine’,” He made a face, “Just what I’ve always wanted.” I giggled as he sprayed it under his arms, knowing his choices were this, or nothing.

“Ohh, don’t you smell nice,” I teased, pulling him closer to me. He smiled.

“Did you see, uh, Abby?” He asked, changing the subject. The lightness in the air evaporated, as I suddenly felt stressed, and frustrated.

“Yes. She can’t, for whatever fucking reason, give me any more specific information other than we need to go New York,” I followed Dane out to the car. He threw me the keys and ran into the office to drop off the room key. When he emerged moments later, he jumped in the passenger side of the running car.

“So. what now then?” I asked, shooting him a look out of the corner of my eye.

“If I need to go to New York, then that’s what I need to do,” He shrugged. My mouth dropped open in shock. He said it with such ease; it was as though he was choosing an item from a menu. “What?” He asked, confused by my reaction.

“Nothing, it’s just you seem really easy about it…” I felt silly, like I overreacted. Of course he was going to go to New York. Like there was any other option.

“Well no,” He said, rolling his eyes, “I’ll need to organize a few things, like, a flight, a hotel, and get together some money,” He added, “What choice do I have, Lil? You’re telling me not to go? You’re the one who’s…” His voice trailed off as he shot me a look. He didn’t finish his sentence, but he didn’t need to. I’m the one who dredged all this up in the first place.