“Don’t be shy. The man is clearly smitten with you.” She goes to open the door.
“Wait!” I half shout. “Maybe we should have a code word or something. In case I want you to you know…” I trail off.
“Get lost? Distract the mom?” She laughs.
“Shh.” What if he can hear us?
“Trust me. I know how to read you,” she says before pulling the door open. Jameson is leaning up against the wall outside and his eyes come right to me.
“Where did your mom go?” I step out, looking up and down the hallway.
“She ditched us.” He smirks as he pushes off the wall and reaches for my arm.
“Did you make her leave?” PJ asks with a snap to her tone. Somehow I know he wouldn't do that.
“I can’t make that woman do a damn thing.”
I lean into him. PJ’s eyes flick between us.
“You can follow her car or ride with her. She’s not riding with you,” PJ challenges him. He reaches into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet. He hands her a card.
“You can call Jacob here.” He points to the card that she took from him. “He’ll tell you anything you want. The chief of police too.” PJ opens and closes her mouth. “But I’ll ride with Bunny tonight while you finish up your research on me.”
“Thanks.” She pockets the card. “I think.” PJ looks at me. “Brandon is waiting out back.”
“You’re not coming?” Now I’m the one who is a little shocked. I’m nervous too but it’s an exciting kind.
“I won’t be far behind.” She winks at me before heading the other way.
“I’ve got you, Bunny.”
I look back up to Jameson. I wrap my hand around his arm, feeling how hard he is. For a man in a suit he has a lot of muscles. “I don’t do this,” I tell him. “I’m a little nervous. I just want to put that out there.”
He brushes a lock of my hair that’s fallen out of my bun behind my ear. His touch is gentle but his fingers are rough. He doesn't feel at all like he spends his days in some fancy office. Not with hands like that. He uses them. For what, I don’t know yet, but hopefully I’ll find out soon. Thoughts of how those hands would feel all over my skin run through my mind. I, myself, get little calluses on the tips of my fingers when I play too long. My feet too. I’m sure I'll have some after tonight. I pushed myself without knowing it, having gotten lost in the moment.
“That makes two of us.” He guides me toward the back of the theater. I’m not sure what he means by that but I don’t ask him to clarify. There is no way that this man is nervous. He exudes confidence. So I push that comment to the back of my mind for now and continue to walk with him toward the exit. Then it hits me that he means go home with random women.
When we get to the back I’m surprised to not see Brandon waiting for us. I’m guessing PJ messaged him that I had someone with me. Jameson pushes open the door and I start to step out, but he pulls me back.
“Me first.” He steps out into the back alley behind the theater. I start to follow him but he pushes me back inside. “Don’t come out” is all he says before he pulls the door shut, leaving me alone. I stand there not sure what to do. I feel uneasy for the first time tonight. Jameson made me feel so at ease and safe. The loss of him next to me has my palms sweating with worry. Not only for myself but, more importantly, for his safety.
After a moment I do what PJ would want me to. I pull out my phone and text her. She’s by my side seconds later. She doesn't hesitate. She pulls out her gun, pushing the back door open.
“Shit,” she half-shouts, making my blood run cold. Something must be really wrong.
“I already called 911. I didn't see anyone else.” I try to follow PJ out to see what Jameson is talking about. “Don’t let her out here.”
PJ turns to look at me, gesturing with her hand for me to stop.
“What?” I take another step toward the door. Then I hear Brandon groan. “Let me by.” I step around PJ to see Brandon on the ground with a gash in his head. “Brandon.” I drop down next to him. I grab ahold of his hand to comfort him. Or maybe it’s to comfort me, I’m not sure. What I do know for sure is that this probably happened because of me.
“I didn't see him coming.” Blood runs down his forehead. The sound of sirens grows closer.