by Box Set
“Yeah, I guess it is.”
She jumped up and began rummaging through the refrigerator. “I can make us something to eat.” She looked at me with a smile. “That will save money.”
“Tyler told me he has a friend,” I said to Shelby as we ate breakfast before heading off to school one morning the following week. She’d moved in over the weekend, and once we’d settled into a routine, I’d found I really liked having her as my roommate. Of course it didn’t hurt that I’d taken over Mom’s room, giving me my own bathroom. I knew the chances of that being the case once Shelby and I moved out of Mom’s house were small.
She set her toast on her plate and looked at me with raised eyebrows. “Oh yeah?” She and Jack had pretty much stopped seeing each other, and she’d told me she was ready to move on.
“Yes.” I poured orange juice into my glass. “Are you available Saturday morning?”
She laughed. “You know I am.”
“Good. Then the four of us can go out.”
“What’s his name?”
“Mitch.”
She picked up her toast. “Is he cute?”
I handed her my phone. “Here’s his picture.”
She stared at the screen a moment, then looked at me with a smile. “Nice.”
I nodded. “I thought you’d approve.”
When Tyler and Mitch arrived Saturday morning, we invited them in.
“Nice place,” Mitch said as he smiled at Shelby, who’d been eager to meet him. Her eyes sparkled, and I could tell she thought Mitch was even cuter in person than in his picture.
“It’s only temporary,” I said, then explained the situation.
Tyler stood beside me and met my gaze. “The complex I live in is pretty nice. Maybe you could find something there.”
The fact that he was suggesting I move into the same apartment complex as him told me a lot about the way he felt towards me. No guy wanted a girl he sort-of liked moving into a place so close to his.
“We’ll check it out,” I said as I smiled at him.
The four of us sat in the living room to chat—I’d dragged in a couple of kitchen chairs to add more seating.
“What do you have planned for us to do?” I asked Tyler.
He glanced at Mitch, then turned to me. “We thought since it’s so nice out, we could go on a hike.”
“A hike?” Shelby seemed less than enthusiastic.
“Come on, Shel,” I said. “You won’t have to get dirty or anything.” I looked at Tyler. “Right?”
He laughed. “Right.”
“You don’t like to do stuff outside?” Mitch asked her.
She suddenly seemed to realize that Mitch probably did like to do outdoor activities. “No, I do.”
“Good,” he said with a half-smile. “I was worried for a minute there.”
Shelby laughed, and I could tell it was forced. I knew for a fact that, if at all possible, she avoided outdoor activities.
“Do we want to pack a picnic lunch?” I asked.
“Great idea,” Tyler said.
After we put together sandwiches, we loaded everything into Tyler’s car and drove to the trailhead.
“Have you ever been here?” Tyler asked us.
None of us had, and with our supplies in a backpack, we set off. The temperature was perfect for a hike, and we only saw a few other people on the trail as we walked along.
When the trail was wide enough for us to walk side by side, Tyler slipped his hand into mine, bringing a smile to my face. As I enjoyed the sound of the breeze rustling the pine needles, the occasional cry of a bird, and the happy conversation around me, I managed to push aside all thoughts of Dylan, Baldy, and the stabbing.
I could tell Shelby and Mitch were hitting it off as well, and as we found a cluster of boulders to sit on while we ate our picnic lunch, I was glad I’d found someone new for Shelby. When we’d finished eating, Tyler pulled me to my feet and led me away from Shelby and Mitch.
“Where are we going?” I asked with a smile.
“I thought we’d give those two some time alone. You know, to get to know each other better.”
“Oh, really?”
He laughed. “Actually, I just wanted a chance to talk to you alone.”
That seemed much more believable. “Why’s that?” We stopped in the shade of a large tree. The loamy scent of damp soil reached my nose, and the fresh, clean air of the California mountains surrounded me. Contentment washed over me as I gazed at Tyler.
“I really like you, Courtney,” he said, his voice low as he ran a finger down the curve of my jaw.
My skin tingled where his finger had been, and I leaned toward him slightly. “I like you too.”
His hand curled around the back of my neck, and after gazing at me for the briefest of moments, his mouth descended toward mine. Our lips pressed together, and an explosion of feelings pulsed through me.
My arms wound around his neck, and his hands went to my waist, then he tugged me against him. The feeling of being in his strong arms sent a sense of security flowing through me, but then I pictured Baldy and all good feelings fled. I couldn’t get the image of his face—as well as his two buddies—out of my head, and I pulled away from Tyler, the mood broken.
“What’s wrong?” Tyler asked, evidently sensing the sudden shift in my emotions.
I couldn’t tell him anything, which angered me. “Nothing. I’m sorry, Tyler.” A soft sigh slipped from my lips. “Let’s see what Shelby and Mitch are doing.”
Tyler didn’t take my hand as we walked back to the cluster of boulders.
Chapter Twenty-One
When we got back to my house, Tyler walked me to the front door while Mitch and Shelby stood beside the car and talked.
“Is everything okay?” he asked as we stood by the front door.
“Yeah,” I said with a forced smile. “Everything’s fine.”
He gazed at me a moment as he chewed on his lip. “Did I do something to upset you? I mean, after lunch, you . . . well, you just seemed . . . unhappy.”
That’s because I started thinking about the men from the gang who would happily hurt me if I say the wrong thing to the police. But I couldn’t share that information with Tyler. Instead I had to pretend that everything was fine. Then I thought of a reasonable explanation for my behavior. “It’s just that I miss my mom.” Which was kind of true. But not enough to make me act the way I had.
“Oh.”
The excuse sounded lame even to me, but what else could I tell him? Certainly not the truth. But I really liked him. I didn’t want to mess things up between us. “Are you busy tonight?” I asked as I thought of a way to make it up to him. “Maybe we could go out after I get off work.”
A smile of pleasure curved his mouth. “I’d like that.”
With something to look forward to, the sense of dread I’d been feeling dissipated somewhat.
“Would you like to go dancing again?” he asked.
I’d definitely enjoyed our last dancing date. “Yes.”
“What time do you want to go?”
“I should be ready by eight-thirty.”
“Eight-thirty it is.” He smiled, then stepped closer to me.
I returned his smile, and when he leaned towards me, I tilted my head back to accept his kiss. Warmth and desire mingled within me, and when he pulled me against him, I forced away my worries, determined to enjoy his kiss this time.
“What’d you think of Mitch?” I asked Shelby after the guys had left.
“He’s hot.”
I laughed. “I’m glad you liked him.”
“I’m glad you introduced me to him. I just wish we could go with you and Tyler tonight, but I have to work late.”
Shelby worked as a cashier at a nearby grocery store. “I wish you could go too.” I smiled. “Next time.”
She nodded. “Definitely.”
The moment I arrived at Patty Melt Burgers and Shakes that afternoon, Steven pulled me aside. “Have
you heard the latest?”
Embarrassed to admit that I’d specifically been avoiding any news on Jeremy Owens’s murder, I shook my head. Really, there was no need for me to follow the news. Not with Steven to fill me in.
“An unnamed source said the police are questioning several suspects.” He leaned closer and I could smell onion on his breath. “Get this, Courtney. These guys are gang bangers.”
Tell me something I don’t know. “That sounds scary.” I didn’t have to fake the hint of fear in my voice. I’d met these guys, and I knew they weren’t to be messed with.
“Tell me about it.” His eyebrows pulled together and he glanced toward the counter where a few customers were in line to order their food. “I wonder if they ever come in here.”
“I hope never.” Although I knew of at least one time they had.
He nodded, then gestured toward the counter with his chin. “Well, I’ll let you get to it.”
It was Saturday afternoon and we were busy. My shift flew by, and half an hour before I was scheduled to get off, a man stepped up to the counter. To my register. A man who made my skin crawl.
Baldy.
When our eyes met, panic charged through my veins and I had the urge to flee. Struck dumb with alarm, I stared at him, my jaw locked shut.
My reaction didn’t go unnoticed by him, and I watched a smug grin slowly take shape on his face. “I wanna order some food,” he said.
“Of . . .” I cleared my throat and spoke a little louder. “Of course. What would you like?”
He rattled off the items he wanted, then leaned closer and whispered, “Silence saves lives.”
My eyes widened at the unmistakable warning, and when I told him his total, my voice shook.
He smiled as he calmly handed me some cash.
My mind whirled and I was glad the register told me how much change to give him.
“That’s for here,” he said as his smile grew.
More than anything I wanted to turn and race out the door, but I couldn’t do that. Not only because I would get in trouble, but because I didn’t want him to know how much he scared me. Well, he probably already knew, but I didn’t want to make it glaringly obvious. “You’re number thirty-two,” I said through stiff lips.
“Thank you.” He grinned, then he snatched his receipt from my hand and stood to one side, not ten feet away from me.
The next customer stepped up to the counter, and with my mind on Baldy, I barely heard what she ordered.
“Number thirty-two,” one of the workers called out a short time later.
I glanced in Baldy’s direction and watched him lift his tray from the counter, then walk to a nearby booth, where he sat facing me. As he picked up his hamburger, he glared at me. I tried to ignore him, but I could feel him looking at me, watching me, studying me.
I wanted to scream at him to leave me alone.
The line at the counter diminished, then disappeared. Relieved, I left my co-worker alone at the other register and went into the back, shoving through the door of the supply closet, my heart pounding.
I have to get out of here. Now.
“What are you doing, Courtney?” Steven asked when he found me in the closet a few moments later.
“Uh, nothing.”
He tilted his head to the side. “Okay, then go wipe down the tables.”
Go out there? Where Baldy’s sitting? I took a step backwards.
“Courtney? Is something wrong?”
Silence saves lives. The words rang through my head, and I knew I had to pretend everything was fine. “No. Sorry.” Glad for the dim closet, I pushed a smile onto my mouth, certain my eyes showed the terror I felt.
“Okay.” He stepped out of the doorway, and I walked past him.
I picked up a clean rag, then took my time soaking it and wringing it out, soaking it and wringing it out.
“We need some clean tables,” someone called out, and I knew I couldn’t put it off any longer.
Footsteps dragging, heart jackhammering, I pushed through the door that led to the dining area. There he was, sitting in the same place he’d been since he’d gotten his food. Eating a french fry slower than I’d ever seen it done before.
I went to the opposite side of the dining room and began wiping down the abandoned tables, all the while feeling him watching me. Slowly but surely I made my way around the dining room until I was at the last table, which was two tables away from him.
“I need this wiped off,” he said to me, then he motioned for me to approach.
What is he up to? Knowing Steven or any one of my co-workers could be watching me, I knew I couldn’t ignore him. Have to keep up appearances, Court. Pretend like everything is fine and dandy.
“Is there a problem, sir?” I asked as I stood beside his table, proud of how calm I’d kept my voice.
His voice dropped to a murmur. “You know the problem, girl. You been talkin’ to the cops and they been sniffing around my boy Dylan.”
An alarm screamed inside my head. No no no no. I don’t know how I managed to do it, but I leaned over the table, pretended to scrub a particularly stubborn spot, and in a rock-steady voice said, “It wasn’t me. I swear. It wasn’t me.”
“Uh-huh.” His hand shot out and gripped my wrist, stopping my scrubbing. His fingers were like metal jaws on my tender skin, hard and unyielding. “Keep it that way.” He spoke through clenched teeth. He released my wrist, and I yanked it out of his reach, then stood there like I was waiting to be dismissed.
When he stood, I fell back a step, certain he was about to kill me. But he just sneered at me and said, “I’m done here.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
A moment later he strode out the door. All the blood had drained from my face, and I sat heavily in the booth he’d just left as I tried to regain my equilibrium. Trying to buy time and cover my strange behavior, I scrubbed that same invisible spot on the table until I felt well enough to resume my Oscar-worthy performance of Everything’s Perfectly Fine.
“Time to go home,” Steven said to me when I dropped the dirty rag into the bin. “Thanks for all your hard work.”
Time to go home? But he might be out there. Waiting for me. “Yeah. You’re welcome.” I dilly-dallied as long as reasonably possible before I took my purse out of my locker and headed to the door.
The sun had gone down, and the lights in the parking lot left a lot to be desired. Maybe I should ask someone to walk with me to my car. Then I looked around and saw several customers coming and going and knew I was being silly—and paranoid. But with good reason. Baldy hadn’t come in to eat our delicious cuisine. He’d come in to see me, specifically. To threaten me.
What did he say? That the cops were sniffing around Dylan?
I thought about what Steven had told me, that the police were questioning suspects, and knew that was at the root of the problem. Surely Baldy knew I wouldn’t dare talk to the cops.
I guess he wanted extra insurance that you wouldn’t. He wanted to see your reaction to his presence and his words.
I hoped he was satisfied that I had no desire to tangle with him—or anyone else in his gang.
As I approached my car, my gaze probed the area, looking for a hint of anything out of the ordinary. Everything looked normal.
Looks can be deceiving, Court.
I thought about the first time I’d met Dylan. He’d seemed like a nice guy. I’d even gone out with him. Yet he was a murderer.
Before I opened the door to my car, I glanced through the window at the back seat to make sure no one was lying in wait, then I unlocked the doors, climbed inside, and slammed the locks down.
I released an audible sigh, then set my purse on the passenger seat. My hands were shaking and I took a moment to breath slowly and deeply before turning on the engine and driving home.
I pulled into the garage, grateful that one benefit of Mom being gone was my exclusive use of the garage. Before I got out, I used the remote to close the big door, and on
ly once it had sealed shut did I unlock my doors and climb out of my car.
A moment later I walked into the kitchen. After dropping my purse on the counter, I took my phone out of the side compartment and shoved it into my back pocket before heading upstairs to my room. Despite the awful way my shift had ended, I had a date with Tyler to get ready for.
The idea of being with him was the one bright spot in my evening, and I hoped while I was on my date I would be able to force aside any thoughts of Baldy. I climbed the stairs, forcing myself to consider what I would wear that evening, but when I reached the door to my room—the master bedroom—I stopped.
The first hint that something was out of place was the fact that the bedroom door was closed. Even with Shelby living there, I always left the door open when I left the house.
Maybe Shelby closed it. She did leave for work after you.
Trying to convince myself that all was well in my little world, I turned the doorknob and pushed inward. I was met with chaos. Every dresser drawer was pulled out, the contents dumped on the floor. My clothes were strewn everywhere, and the papers from my little desk in the corner were spread around like so much king-sized confetti.
My gaze shot around the room, looking for Baldy or one of his minions, but I was all alone. Frighteningly all alone.
I fell back a step, then spun around, certain someone was standing behind me, but no one was there. Terror slithered up my spine, wrapping around me like a languorous snake, making me want to collapse to the floor and curl into a little ball until everything went back to normal. The only problem was, I knew nothing would ever be normal again. How could it be? With Baldy knowing where I worked, where I lived.
Certain he was the one who’d been in my house, been in my bedroom, I shivered as I pictured his dead eyes in his sullen face. I had no doubt he would hurt me if I dared defy him. No doubt.
Maybe this is a test. To see if I’ll call the police.
I tiptoed to the window, careful to step over the debris that littered the room, and lifted one slat a fraction of an inch. Peering into the darkness, I tried to see if anyone was about.
