“Hey. What’s up?” Jerry stood smiling at her. Riley narrowed her eyes.
“I just—I don’t—What’s your game? Why are you ignoring me like this? Can’t you see how much it’s bothering me?” She demanded. She crossed her arms and glared at him. Jerry flashed her another infuriating smile.
“But isn’t that what you wanted? You wanted to take it slow and stay friends. So, I am. How is that bothering you?” His tone was light, but the words cut deep.
She gulped and took a step back. He was right. She had pushed him away. She had formed a deep bond with someone she had come to care for, and she had blown it away. Tears stung her eyes. “You’re right. I pushed you away.” She gulped and looked away.
“I’m sorry I bothered you. I just—missed not having you around.”
She looked at him sadly and turned to go. Before she took a step, Jerry held her hand and pulled her close to him. She looked to see him smile widely at her.
“My lovely, lovely Riley. Come here.” He pulled her into a fierce hug. Riley was still shocked. She couldn’t process his reaction. She broke the hug and stared at him.
“You—you’re not upset?” She looked at him in amazement. Jerry’s smile widened.
“No. In fact, staying away showed me just how much I mean to you. It also showed me how much you mean to me.” He kissed her hands.
“What—what do I mean to you?” She stared at him, unable to grasp what he was saying.
“I want to have you around, Riley. I don’t know how we will work it out, about your job, or mine. But I want you around. You’re special to me, and I don’t want to waste time denying those feelings.” He looked into her eyes. Riley could feel herself melting.
Before she could say anything, Jerry leaned in and kissed her. Shivers went down her smile as he deepened the kiss. Riley’s skin felt as if it were on fire. She put her arms around his neck and he pulled her in closer. His hands softly stroked her back. Each touch made her skin tingle. Slowly, Jerry broke the kiss. Riley felt lightheaded. Jerry grinned. She tried to take a step and stumbled, her lightheadedness making her steps uncertain. Jerry put his arm around her and held her tight.
“Now you know. I want you, Riley Poole,” He whispered.
Chapter 10
Riley woke up the next morning with butterflies in her stomach. Last night had been so dreamy. Jerry kissed her! Memories of the kiss made her blush. Spending time apart from Jerry made her realize how much she wanted him to be around. Sure, their relationship was not straightforward. They didn’t live in the same city, and professionally, she was burned out. They hadn’t made any commitments or promises to each other, yet. All she knew was that it felt good to be with him. Spending time with him made her feel happy. And that was all that mattered for now.
She joined her parents for breakfast but Jerry still hadn’t come.
“So, honey, I see there’s something cooking between you and Jerry.” Her mother got straight to the point. Riley blushed. Edward laughed.
“Don’t get her embarrassed already, Martha. We won’t get to hear anything from her otherwise.” Edward guffawed, patting Riley on her back.
“How did you know?” Riley was surprised.
“We’re your parents, honey. We did notice a certain level of comfort between you two. And your mother did notice that you were miserable when he didn’t come with us yesterday.” Her father looked into her eyes. Riley blushed even more.
“I don’t know whether anything is developing. I really like him, mom. He’s a very good person. He makes me feel very safe.” Riley’s cheeks colored as she answered her mother.
“That is true, Jerry is a very nice boy. We both really like him in the short time we’ve spent together,” Martha said.
“The only thing we’re concerned about is whether you think you can live your life with someone in law enforcement? He’s in SWAT, and you know how risky that is. Are you sure you’re up for it?” Edward questioned.
Riley gulped. That was one question that remained unanswered after yesterday. She wasn’t sure she could stand anyone risking their life every single day. She sighed.
“I’m not sure, Dad. But, like I said, we’re working it out, taking things as they come. We’ll see what happens.” She focused on her plate of food. After taking a few bites, she looked at her mother.
“How did you do it, Mom? It must have been so hard to manage when Dad wasn’t around. Plus you were raising a child by yourself. That is a difficult job.” Martha looked into Edward’s eyes and then at Riley.
“It was a difficult job. I missed him so much, and not to mention, the worry, the constant worry. Sometimes, if the bell rang at unexpected hours, I’d worry it was someone from the Army. But, the times we spent together were that much sweeter because of the distance. Plus, we wrote to each other. We wrote long letters. They helped.” Martha squeezed her husband’s hand.
“Coming back home to my wife and daughter were the best times. When I finally moved on from the army, I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to spend time with the two people I love the most. The army taught me a lot of things, most of all, the value of people in your life.” He looked at Riley. She nodded.
“Mom, Dad, I’m thinking of shutting down my business and getting back into commercial art again. Digital media is not my passion, and I’m tired. I think I’ll figure out the way the business is going, and how I can manage clients. I’d love to take a sabbatical for a while and then decide which direction I want to go in.” She waited for their reaction. She looked at her father, hoping he would accept it. He had been the most hesitant when she told him about starting her business.
Her father nodded.
“Alright. If that’s what you want to do, then go for it. You’re welcome to come here if you’re taking a break.” He looked at Martha.
“We’ve always thought you should get into something creative, honey. We loved your art when you were young. We’re here for you.” She reached out to her and held her hand. Tears pricked Riley’s eyes. It was so easy telling her parents about her decision to quit. She had built it up so much in her mind, thinking they would lecture her about finances or her decision to quit. She wasn’t going to let her past influence her future.
Before she could think more on those lines, Jerry walked in. He smiled at everyone as he walked up to the table and took his seat. Riley started passing him food. Their fingers accidentally brushed and she gasped. Her skin tingled. She looked down at her plate. She couldn’t wait to spend some alone time with Jerry.
* * *
Riley stopped Jerry as he was entering his room.
“Can you come to the mall with me? I want to get you something,” she said. Jerry pretended to think.
“I wonder what that is. Should I say yes or no?” He laughed as Riley pretended to punch him. “Of course I’ll come along. Give me some time to get ready.”
In ten minutes, he met Riley outside the house. Riley was dressed in tight blue jeans and a hot pink full sleeve top. Her blond hair was covered by a woollen hat. She looked stunning. Jerry breathed sharply when he saw her.
“You look stunning,” he said as he unlocked the car.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” She grinned.
It didn’t take them long to reach Northampton Mall.
“Could you please tell me what you want to get me? And can I get something for you as well?” He said as she linked her arm in his. She frowned at him and shook her head.
“No way. I’m not ruining the surprise for you.”
He groaned as she led him inside the mall. He was a utilitarian shopper, he quickly visited a shop and picked out what he wanted. He wasn’t the one to spend hours visiting one shop after the other. Riley dragged him into one store and to the sweaters section. Jerry began doing the math in his head. Before he could think too much, she had thrust an ugly sweater in his hand and pushed him near the trial room.
He turned the sweater and his heart melted. It was a bigger size of the
same sweater Riley was wearing when they first met, the one that had characters from his favorite show, Rick & Morty. Her gesture was so touching. He tried on the sweater and it fit well. He walked outside to show her. She whistled when she saw him. He looked embarrassed.
“That looks so good on you. We’re taking it, come on,” she said. In the time it took for him to get changed, she was already waiting in the line to checkout. She ignored his protests and paid for the sweater.
“This is yours, Jerry Winters. The sweater that started it all.” She handed him the parcel.
He pulled her aside to kiss her. She moaned. Jerry broke the kiss and pulled her close. Just as he broke the kiss, he noticed a teen, not older than fifteen or sixteen walk out towards the door. He frowned. Something about the way that kid walked made him instantly suspicious.
He was lanky, but was bundled with a lot of sweaters. Why would a kid need any sweater inside a temperature controlled mall? He gently pushed Riley behind him and walked towards the teen. Before he could reach him, he walked through the anti theft sensors which immediately started blaring. The guards posted by the door snapped to attention and ran behind the kid. Jerry dropped his bag and ran behind the guards as well.
He looked behind to see Riley following him.
“Riley, stay back. Get inside a shop.” He hollered. He had no doubt this situation would not turn out well for people who got in the way. The kid stood backed in a corner. His face displayed absolutely no emotion.
“Put your hands up kid and we won’t do anything to harm you,” one of the guards called out. Jerry reached the guards. They glared at him.
“Step away sir. This situation is not safe. He has a weapon,” the second guard barked.
“Gentlemen, I’m from LAPD SWAT.” Jerry trained his attention on the kid. One of the guards closer to the kid relaxed. In that moment, the kid pulled out a knife and held it against the guard’s neck. The second guard pointed his taser at him, in attention. Jerry waited for him to make a move.
“Let me go, and I will not harm him. But if you try anything smart, I’m not responsible.” His voice rang out clearly. Jerry turned around to see a crowd had gathered. He scanned the crowd for Riley and saw her standing in a corner. Relief flooded him when he saw she was out of harm’s way. He turned his attention to the kid.
“Kid, let him go, and I promise we will let you leave. You can leave whatever you took from the store, and nobody will hurt you,” Jerry tried to pacify the kid. It had no effect whatsoever. The kid’s glare intensified and he pressed the knife harder against the guard’s neck. The guard tried to struggle but the kid’s grip was too tight.
“What’s your name?” Jerry asked. The kid’s eyes snapped to Jerry and he frowned.
“Alan.” He looked behind Jerry. Jerry turned to see mall security had arrived and was protecting the bystanders who were watching. There was no way Alan would make it out of this alive.
“Alan, I can talk to the store and let you keep whatever you took. Let the guard go and drop the knife,” Jerry said. He put his arm out to steady the mall security.
“Who is this interfering civilian? Someone get him out of the way,” one of the security guards spat. The shop guard turned.
“LAPD SWAT team,” he said. Jerry focused his attention on Alan.
“Alan, it’s Christmas, it’s the holidays. You must be wanting to get home to your family. Why don’t you drop the knife? I’ll keep the guards away, I promise.” Jerry tried to placate him.
“Family?” Alan laughed mirthlessly. “I have no family. I don’t know what that means. And you privileged rich folk may have holidays, but for us, every day is a fight for survival.” He glared at Jerry.
“If you let any of the guards come closer to me, I’ll kill this one. Don’t come closer,” he commanded. Jerry looked at the mall security and nodded. They cautiously took a step back.
* * *
Riley stood several feet away from Jerry, shivering. This was her worst fear, seeing Jerry put his life at risk. And it was happening all in front of her. Why did Jerry have to go and act so noble? They could have quickly left the mall and left the security to deal with it. Worry consumed her as she saw Jerry hopelessly trying to broker peace between the security and the teenager. The teenager seemed smart.
Riley’s heart jumped to her throat when she saw the teenager wave the knife at the crowd. His other arm strongly gripped the guard. Jerry was so close to him, he could get hurt anytime. She stared at Jerry as he tried one tactic after another to engage him. The crowd started whispering and talking among themselves. She thanked the Lord the security guards were there to protect everyone. She only hoped they would protect Jerry if he needed.
“Shut up. Shut up everyone. One more word and I’ll do something rash,” the teenager screamed. The crowd silenced. Riley watched the proceedings with dread. Was this what Jerry went through every time he went in for a raid? Fear for his life engulfed her. She started praying to the Lord for Jerry’s safety.
She only hoped he would be okay.
* * *
A rough idea started forming in Jerry’s head when Alan said something about family. He had to try everything he could before the security guards ran out of patience.
“Alan, are the sweaters for someone else? Who are you taking them for?” Alan frowned. Jerry could see the question threw him off. It meant he was on the right path.
“Alan,” Jerry spoke, louder and clearer. Alan’s attention snapped to him. “Is there anyone in your family who needs help? Do you need help? Is anyone unwell?” Jerry shot in the dark hoping this would help him break some ground. Alan took a step behind and gulped. Jerry could see cracks appearing. He was wearing the teenager down. Alan’s lower lip trembled.
“My sister. She’s unwell. She’s very sick. She desperately needs help,” Alan said. His grip on the knife weakened.
“Let the guard go, Alan. Hurting him will only stop you from reaching your sister quicker. Let him go, and I promise I’ll come with you and take her to the hospital,” Jerry said.
“You promise?” His lips quivered and his eyes brimmed with tears. Jerry nodded.
“I promise,” he said.
Alan looked at him with watery eyes. He dropped the knife to the floor and let the guard go. The guard fell down massaging his throat. Jerry walked up to Alan and held him in a vice like grip. The security guards were slowly getting rid of the crowd. The head of security walked towards them.
“Your intervention saved this kid’s life. However, shoplifting is still a crime. We have to report it to the police,” The head of security spoke, mainly to Jerry. Jerry nodded grimly.
“Alan, please take off those sweaters. We will return them to the shop. You understand this crime will get reported to the police and you will have to visit the station?” Jerry looked at Alan who nodded glumly.
They walked over to the store where Alan meekly handed over the sweaters. The head of security walked with them.
“You understand we are obligated to send someone with you to ensure you don’t help this kid escape?” The security head was beginning to get on Jerry’s nerves. Jerry gave him a curt nod.
“Alright then, I will send one of my men with you.” The head of security gestured to the guards and started rapidly conversing with them. Jerry resolutely walked ahead. He had no intentions of running away or helping Alan escape.
His eyes searched for Riley and finally they found her among the sea of people. She started running towards him and enveloped him in a huge hug.
“You—you idiot. Why—you could have been hurt!” She latched on to him like a child. Jerry held her close and kissed her forehead. Riley had tears in her eyes. Jerry stopped in his tracks.
“No, no, no. My darling Riley, I was safe. I had so many people backing me up. Don’t you worry.” He pulled her into a hug. Riley sniffed.
“I was so worried. I was so so worried something would happen to you.” She hastily wiped her tears. She turned to look at
Alan, shook her head and looked away. Alan hung his head.
“We’re going to get Alan’s sister admitted to hospital.” Riley looked at him, shocked. She closed her mouth and looked away. A uniformed man joined them.
“Let’s go. I have instructions to report this to the police after the other matter is disposed off.” He looked sternly at Alan. Jerry felt protective. He was trying to do something for his sister. Jerry understood where he was coming from. They got into Jerry’s car and Alan directed them to his home.
Jerry looked at Riley as they reached his house. It wasn’t even a proper house. It looked run down and had no power. The windows were broken. Jerry had not seen such a dilapidated house in the area. All of them cautiously entered the house.
“Emily, it’s me. I got help. We’re taking you to the hospital,” Alan called out. There was no answer. Jerry’s defenses were up, just in case this would turn out to be a trap. The rooms seemed to be empty. Alan walked to the last room, and there was a lump there. Alan rushed inside. He moved the blanket and Jerry noticed a sickly, pale looking girl. He touched her body and sharply withdrew his hand. She was running a high fever!
“She’s not moving.” Alan turned to Emily and started shaking her. “Emily, it’s your brother. I’m here. I’m here. Wake up! Please.” Jerry put his hand on Alan’s shoulder. Alan broke down into sobs. Jerry looked grim. He could understand what drove Alan to such desperate lengths.
Jerry exchanged a look with the security guard. They carefully lifted the girl and took her to the car. Riley drove to the hospital. It didn’t take long for them to admit Emily. The nurses on call immediately started treating her.
Jerry watched Alan tenderly stroke his sister’s forehead. There was so much love there.
“Sirs, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. The patient needs rest,” One of the nurses said. Jerry put his hand around Alan’s shoulder and they walked out of the room.
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