by Emma Cole
“I don’t smell dinner,” he says with a smile. He knows I’m checking him out. Guess I am fairly obvious about it. I sigh again.
Alex turns to him with her mouth hanging open. She rapidly fixes that and blasts him with a glare. ”Excuse me? Did you just imply she should have dinner waiting on you?” Alex looks like she’s ready to smack him.
“I was just teasing. Remi knows I appreciate her cooking, but she knows she doesn’t have to as well.” He looks to me for help while Alex glares on.
I put my hands up. “I’m not getting in the middle of this. It’s too entertaining.”
“So, ladies,” Eli quickly throws out, “looks like I’m cooking dinner. Pizza or Chinese?”
“Good save smart one.” Alex looks slightly less murderous now. “I have to finish a paper for tomorrow, but you two have a good time.” Alex winks and is out the door shortly after.
“Did you want to stay in and watch a movie or play a game? We can order delivery. My treat.” Eli pauses his ordering waiting on my reply.
“That sounds fantastic. Pizza? We can do half and half. Make mine mushroom, ham, and black olives please. I’m going to straighten up my room some before I forget the mess. Alex brings new meaning to the name dervish. I’ve got clothes everywhere.”
“Not a problem I’ll yell when it gets here.”
Nine
We were eating gooey, cheesy pies thirty minutes later on the giant pillows.
“Movie or game?”
I didn’t really care either way I was just comfortable sitting around. “Whatever you like. I’m not particular.” That’s where I made my mistake.
“Twenty questions alright with you?” Eli looked nervous. He’s had this planned it seems.
“I suppose,” I answer warily. Where is he going with this?
“If you don’t want to that’s okay. I just thought it would be a good way to get to know each other better.”
“No, it’s fine. Go ahead.” May as well get it all out there if we’re going to be a couple. He’d probably find out eventually anyway.
“I’ll start out easy, What’s your full name?”
“Remington Reese Carter. My mom and dad’s favorite things. Reese’s cups for my mom when she was pregnant with me and of course Remington for my dad being in the military. What’s yours?”
“Elliot Michael McAdams. My parents weren’t as original as yours it seems. So, your dad is in the military?”
“Is that your question or are you making conversation?” I would have rather avoided this question altogether and now it’s been brought up right away.
“That’s my question.”
“Technically he was in the military and now he’s in, or I guess was in the CIA. That’s not something I usually spread around either for obvious reasons.” I don’t want everyone knowing about my dad for personal an security reasons
“I wouldn’t say anything, Remi. Anything you tell me, if I even think you might be uncomfortable with it, I won’t talk about around others,” Eli looks so earnest as he says this I believe him. “Your turn.”
“When did you know you wanted to play football?” I’m curious because he’s told me before he’s here on a scholarship for football and majoring in business, like me, and minoring in psychology.
“Forever I think. I always liked to play it with my dad and brothers at home and then when I was at the military academy I joined the team they had. There weren’t too many fun things to do there recreationally. That’s actually how I met my roommates. They’re a couple years older than me.”
“You went to a military academy?” I’m surprised by this and must have some weird expression on my face as Eli looks at me with a confused and inquiring expression. What are the odds of him answering with that? Not many and I narrow my eyes in suspicion.
“Not your turn pretty girl,” he smirks at me. “It’s mine.” I wait impatiently for him to go on so I can get back to my questions. He looks like he’s not sure he should ask his next one. He takes a deep breath and asks, “You said ‘was’ when you were talking about your dad. Did he pass away?”
Yep there it is. May as well get it over with. “Technically, I’m not supposed to talk about it, but I trust you.” I take a bolstering breath. “My dad disappeared on his last assignment when I was in high school. My mom and I don’t know if he’s alive or not. There was an investigation from his superiors, we were questioned incessantly, but we don’t know anything and they haven’t found anything out either. Not that the investigators have shared anyway. It was my senior year. That’s why I transferred here as a sophomore. I was supposed to be here with Alex as a freshman, but instead I stayed home with my mom and took a gap year to help her out and did mostly online classes from home and a few at the local community college that I couldn’t take online. Without a definitive answer on if my dad took off on his own or something happened to him, all his accounts my mom wasn’t on were frozen even though those savings were hers too. Not just my dad’s. If he did take off, which I can’t see him doing, he loves my mom and me, then they didn’t want him to have access to resources. If he,” I get choked up and Eli sees it pulling me between his open legs, turning me to rest mine over his thigh so he’s cuddled around me. “You don’t have to continue on,” he says hugging me tighter and resting his cheek on my head. I feel him smelling my hair, it’s kind of sweet. I want to finish telling him, so I continue on.
“If he died, and they could prove it, they wouldn’t have done anything. If he’s missing or taken off it’s frozen until they find him or until they determine it’s no longer needed as bait. If they released it to my mom, she could potentially give it to him if he contacted her. My college fund was in his name as well. My deposit had already been paid here, but there wasn’t enough for a full year of school so I made arrangements with special circumstance for the deposit to be held onto until I could transfer. I spent most of that first year picking up modeling jobs. I had done a couple ads when I was younger, but I needed something I could do to help mom out and still pay for school too. I got enough saved up between that year and the next while I was taking classes at the local community college, so I didn’t get too far behind the others here. That’s why Alex is a junior and I’m a sophomore, I didn’t have enough credits to transfer in as a third year. I’ll be twenty-one this May. I think that about covers it.”
Eli doesn’t say anything for a bit. When he does he comes out with, “I don’t just want to say I’m sorry. It doesn’t seem adequate, but I’m not sure what else to say either. I hate you had to go through that. Did they find anything at all?”
Even though it’s not Eli’s turn I decide to answer his question. I think the game is essentially over anyway after everything I just told him. “They found a motel room in an area he wouldn’t have been in unless he had been assigned to it. The investigators wouldn’t give us a lot of details on it. His luggage and some other things were left behind. The only thing he took was his identification as far as they can tell, since it wasn’t there. There wasn’t any sign that he was taken against his will. They tracked his phone and vehicle GPS to find him and ended up there at that motel. The investigators asked us questions for months, but we didn’t know anything other than he was supposed to be gone for a couple weeks on assignment. They check in every few months to see if he contacted either of us and we were under surveillance for almost a year before they backed off. Even if my dad went rogue I know he wouldn’t contact us in any way, he would know they would be watching. And that’s not something he would have done without a survival situation. So that’s it for the most part. I worked and then transferred and now here I am.” I chew on my lip waiting for his response, playing with my necklace dragging the charm around the chain.
“Maybe when the guys get back we can ask them to look into it. I only do work part time because of football and full-time classes, but the others already graduated.” Eli’s arm moves behind me and his fingers begin playing with ends of my hair as he speak
s. I’m very aware of how I’m sitting in his lap and am unsure if I should move or not. I decide its comfortable so stay where I am for now.
“What would your roommates be able to do to help? I’m not sure the agency would be willing to share any information. Besides that I have enough money to pay for school and help my mom out, but not enough to hire an investigative team.” I don’t want to seem ungrateful to Eli, but really what can they do to help that hasn’t already been done. As an afterthought I add, “I didn’t know you worked here too, I just thought you were renting a room from them.” I turn enough to meet his gaze with the question.
“For one, if we helped it would be because we wanted to and two, I know the guys from the school we went to. After I graduated and had been offered a scholarship I met up with them here. One of the guys had this building left to him by some relative an aunt I think.” He looks down at me staring at my hand still playing with the necklace. Swiftly changing the subject as if he knows I don’t want to talk about my dad any longer, he asks, “What’s that on your necklace? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without it.”
I show it to him. It’s a silver disc with and R scripted on it. “It’s a locket that a couple friends gave to me years ago. I guess it was really a going away present since I only saw them once more after they gave it to me.” I go to open it and show him the pictures inside. I figure now is a good a time as any to tell him about the guys, but right then my phone starts ringing. I go to answer it and see that it’s Adam. “I should probably see what’s up with him, it’s pretty late for it to be a social call.” I answer the phone to a slightly out of breath Adam. “Hello?”
“Remi? It’s Adam. Hey, I lost my assignment for class and was wondering if you had it? I’m not too far from your building if you do and don’t mind meeting me downstairs so I can copy it?” Seems odd, but I don’t see any reason to deny his request.
“Umm..yeah, which class? I’m at home you can swing by and I’ll come down with it.” I don’t want to invite him up so I’m glad he suggested meeting downstairs.
“It’s for the calculus class. I was sure I had written it down, but I can’t find it in my notes at all. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” I hang up and grab the assignment, pulling on a jacket and slippers I head for the door.
I tell Eli I’m running some school work to Adam downstairs as I see him cleaning up the living room. I happily see that our conversation is over as well. Eli tells me to use the copier in the den area so I use the multipurpose printer/scanner then get out to the sidewalk to wait on Adam. As I’m standing there I get a text message, but before I can check it Adam walks up. “I copied the notes for the assignment. Hope you have enough time to get it done before class tomorrow,” I hand him the copied pages from my notebook.
“Thanks Remi, I owe you one.” He takes the papers I hold out. He stands there for a minute seeming to want to say more. “So, I’m going to the big costume party tomorrow night at the beta frat. Would you like to go with me?” Now I’m wondering just how ‘lost’ his homework had actually been.
“Actually, I’m going with Alex, but if you’re going too I’m sure we’ll see you there.” I answer noncommittally with a smile to take the sting out of the rejection.
“Oh, okay. Well I’ll be looking for you.” He seems disappointed. I’m going to need to think of a polite way to tell him I’m not interested in him like that soon, before this crush he has going on gets any worse.
“See you tomorrow Adam,” I say as he walks away. He waves back and disappears around the corner. I turn and almost scream, instantly swinging out at my attacker. My fist connects with Eli’s arm he puts up to block the blow. He comes the rest of the way out of the doorway and grabs my shoulders to steady me. I struggle to catch my breath and slow my heart rate that spiked fast enough to make me dizzy. “Holy crap dude you scared me.” Now that I’m over my scare I laugh a little.
“Sorry I just wanted to make sure you were alright and lock up for the night.” He looks like he wants to say something else too, but pauses before teasing me, “Didn’t think you were going to hit me for it though.” I feel silly for overreacting and apologize.
“I’m sorry, you startled me, and I didn’t realize it was you. I thought I was alone out here. I’m gonna head up to bed, see you tomorrow?” He nods his head and I go back upstairs. As I’m getting into bed I plug my phone in and see the message icon still showing in my notification bar. It’s from an unknown number.
I know where your father is.
That’s it. Nothing else, no number to contact back. If this is a prank it pisses me off. I put the phone down and go brush my teeth and wash my face. I’ll call the investigative team tomorrow and let them know about the message, it’s the first thing I’ve heard about my father since he disappeared. I find it a little odd too that I was just talking about him to Eli before I got the message. I try to put it out of mind and get some rest.
-----
Elliot
While Remi was downstairs I snuck into her room. I want to surprise her with my costume tomorrow, but I don’t know what she’s wearing. She’s left something hanging over on the desk chair and when I get to it I see that’s it the costume. Getting what I came for I turn to leave when I notice my coin that all the students get from the academy I went to. I frown wondering how it ended up in here. It had been in a drawer in my room. I grab it and take it with me setting it on my dresser before I make my way around the building to check the doors for the night. Deciding to check on Remi too as she hasn’t come back yet I go out the door she’s outside of. I got one heck of a surprise too. Glad to know she can defend herself if it comes to it. If it weren’t for my own training for work I’d probably have a bruised face. I’m excited for tomorrow and make my plans to pull off the idea I had. If things go well the wait will finally be over and Remi will finally, officially be mine. I couldn’t wait.
Ten
Remington
I wake up to a knock on my bedroom door. “Remi? You up yet? There’s some people here to see you.” I open my eyes. It’s barely light out, can’t even be seven yet. Who the heck is coming to see me at the ass crack of dawn?
“I’m awake. Be right there.” Throwing back the covers and swinging my legs over the side of the bed I grab a hoodie and throw it on over my tank and shorts and pull on my fuchsia fuzzy socks I left out last night. I brush my teeth and hair and head out to meet my visitors. As I get to the kitchen, I see Agents Bricker and Norman sitting at the breakfast bar. Eli turns with coffees for them both and goes to get another for me. He’s barefoot and in sweats and a tank with an open zip up thrown over it. His blond hair is still mussed from sleep and he looks hot and adorable all at once. I reluctantly drag my attention away from him to address the two visitors who obviously notice the interaction. I don’t give a shit and they can go fuck themselves. “Umm…someone want to tell me why you’re in my kitchen?” I glare at them both crossing my arms over my chest realizing the slip of saying my kitchen, but since Eli doesn’t contradict me I go with it.
Eli looks at me in surprise, probably at my tone and attitude, and comes over to stand next to and slightly behind me. Being supportive while allowing me to handle it. I shoot him a grateful look. I didn’t expect that out of him. I expected him to make himself scarce or be aggressive. “We’re here because- actually if you could excuse us Mr. McAdams we’d like to speak to Miss Carter alone.” Agent Norman looks annoyed when Eli doesn’t immediately acquiesce to his almost politely veiled demand.
Eli looks down me for an affirmative. He’ll leave if I ask him, I know that, but I don’t want him to. “Eli can stay, he knows about my dad.” Agent Norman instantly looks thunderous while his partner Bricker opens her mouth to say, “That is highly inappropriate for him to know about an agency investigation. Who gave you leave to discuss it?” I cannot stand that woman. She’s half the reason my life was shit after my dad disappeared. She’s rude and crass and thinks she’s better than everyone else.
“I don’t need permission to talk about my dad. You have stalked my mom and me for almost three years, we don’t know what happened and I’m not putting up with your attitude so can it or get the fuck out.” I’m furious and want to smack someone. I realize I’m holding Eli’s hand and squeezing the snot out of it in my anger. I make an effort to loosen my hold without letting him go. I’m not sure if he reached for me or I reached for him, but I’m glad for it either way.
Snarkily, Agent Bricker continues on, “You are to inform the agency of your residence at all times, as well as all phone numbers and email you can be contacted at as well as notify the agency of any communication you receive that could potentially be from Agent Carter. Care to guess what we found when we showed up at your dorm this morning?” She doesn’t wait for me to answer, “We found a construction crew arriving and were told that the students had been relocated…several weeks ago. We had to track your phone to get your location as the administrative buildings aren’t open for business for the day yet. All that after the fact that you didn’t report the communication you received pertaining to your father when it came in. At this point I think you may need to come in for another interview. Go dress and meet us outside.” As she turns to leave I lose my temper.
“Excuse the hell out of you. You have no right to come here. I don’t answer to you. My whereabouts or residence are also not your business. And what the fuck do you mean by I didn’t report a communication. Do you actually have my phone bugged?” I’m stepping forward with every question and end the last on a growl, now I’m directly in Bricker’s face with Norman watching Eli closely.
Bricker smirks, I want to plant my fist in that smug face, I feel Eli’s arm circle my waist and pull me back into his chest. “You received a communication last night stating that someone knows where your father is. You didn’t report it. That leads us to believe that you know something as well or soon will. We have no intention of being left out of the loop any further.”
