Chapter 46 The Shark After Dark
The Shark After Dark
Ryder
The shark was back. I didn't mean on the street. I meant at the bike shop, standing upright behind the decorative fence. It was nestled between the bumblebee bike and another one that resembled a snake.
Main Street was completely deserted – no surprise there, considering sunrise was still hours away.
After walking Tessa to the front porch of a modest two-story house – and kissing her soundly goodnight – I'd returned the long way, taking time to think.
No. Not just to think.
To act.
Already, I'd sent a text to my best contact in Chicago with four little words. I need your help.
Sure, it was the middle of the night, but if I knew Maddox – and I sure as hell did – he would reply first thing tomorrow when he woke up, which gave me some time to take stock.
I didn't like how easily Tessa had convinced herself she was overreacting. Fear had a way of doing that – making smart people second-guess their instincts. But I trusted mine. And right now, they were telling me that Tessa was in deeper than she let on.
She thought she was on her own. She wasn't. Not anymore.
She hadn't asked me for help. Unlike most people, she hadn't asked for anything. And somehow, that made me want to give her everything she deserved – answers, peace of mind, and backup, whether she wanted it or not.
Tonight, walking away had been harder than I'd expected. The feel of her lips, the warmth of her smile, the way we meshed – it all felt right.
I was still lost in my own thoughts when I caught movement to my left. I turned to look and spotted that guy again – Maisie's ex. What was his name? I was pretty sure it began with a D.
Darren?
Dipshit?
Doorknob?
No. Devon.
Devon the Douche. He strode forward to glare like I'd just ruined his night. "What are you doing here?"
I didn't bother glaring back. "Minding my own business. You should try it sometime."
"Maybe you should try it," he shot back. "She's my ex-girlfriend."
I laughed. "Keyword. Ex."
This made him frown. "So you've got a thing for her, too?"
"Too?" I repeated. "So who's the second guy? You?"
He drew back. "Me? No way. If I wanted her, I wouldn't have dumped her."
When I responded with only a shrug, he said, "And like I told you last night, I've already moved on."
Whoa. Last night?
Holy fuck.
Only one day had passed since I'd been standing here the first time?
But I didn't need a calendar to know the guy was right. Ever since I'd met Tessa, it was like I'd fallen into a time warp, where everything went slower and faster at the same time.
It felt like I'd known her forever and yet not nearly long enough. The sensation was new and unsettling, like a drunken dream – except I had no interest in waking up.
I gave the guy a quick once-over, taking in his plaid flannel pants and wrinkled sweatshirt. "If you've moved on, how come you're lurking here in your jammies?"
"They're not jammies," he said. "You see the sweatshirt, right?" When I replied with only a pointed look at his pants, he mumbled, "And you're the one who's lurking."
"But not in my jammies."
He didn't look amused. "So? Do you have a thing for her, or what?" He shrugged. "I mean…it's okay if you do."
I grinned. "Nice to have your permission."
This made him frown. "I wouldn't go that far. I mean…I never said you had permission."
I laughed. "Good thing, since I don't need it." Was I messing with him?
Hell, yeah.
I wasn't into Maisie. I hadn't even met her. But I was into her roommate, who was worth ten of this guy.
And the way I saw it, Devon the Douche could use a little more worry. I knew his type all too well. He'd probably played his whole life on easy mode and wouldn't know a real challenge if it bit him on the ass.
But judging from his face, something was nibbling at his backside now.
I meant that literally, because with a grimace, he reached into the back pocket of his flannel pants and pulled out his cellphone. One look at the screen, and he jerked like he'd been zapped. "Fuck."
I gave him a look. "Problem?"
"No. Not at all." Turning away, he put the phone to his ear and said with forced bravado, "Oh, hey, babe. How's it goin'?"
I couldn't hear what the caller said, but it made him flinch before he replied, "Because I was looking for those mints you like."
Another pause.
"Yes. I know it's almost three in the morning. But you were asleep, so what does it matter?" He hesitated. "Yeah…well…maybe I wanted to surprise you."
Yeah, right.
No doubt, she would be surprised to find him haunting the business of his ex.
After another pause, he gave a nervous laugh.
"Well, uh, no actually. Because nothing's open.
" Another pause. "Yeah, well I didn't know that when I left, did I?
" A moment later, he gave a vigorous nod, as if the caller could actually see it, and began walking away so fast, you'd think his pants had caught fire.
Watching, I gave a slow shake of my head. I didn't know Maisie. But I knew one thing for damn sure. She was better off without him.
I was still watching when I felt my own phone buzz in my pocket. When I pulled it out to check, I almost did a double-take.
Maddox? Already?