Chapter 35
Kinsley
Chapter Thirty-Five
We walked up the long stairs leading to the library’s huge double door with the big sign Coldwater Library above it. The door gave a creaky noise as we pushed it open and again when it closed behind us. Cora’s mom was sitting behind the counter, reading an old book.
“So, are we just going to ask her to let us check the old security tapes so maybe we can see what your mom was doing?” I whispered, and Thomas nodded.
“It was your idea, Sage. If it doesn’t work, we still have plan B.” He smirked, and I nervously picked at my nails.
“Hi, Mom.” Cora hurried ahead, and Thomas and I shared a look.
“Susie,” Aaliyah greeted her, resting her chin on the counter.
“Why do I feel like you two want something?” Cora’s mom, Susie, lifted a brow, a small smile curving on her lips.
“I don’t know, maybe you are being superstitious,” Cora replied, and her mom let out a small laugh.
“Sure, now get out with it.”
Cora glanced back and Aaliyah motioned us closer. I took a big breath.
“Of course, Connor stays behind when we need his charm,” I whispered before we got within hearing distance, and Thomas circled the bare skin on my back.
“I have charm,” he replied, and I rolled my eyes, a smile playing on my lips.
“You have, but it’s a dark one.” I glanced up at him, and he lifted a brow.
“Is that a problem?”
Before I could reply, we reached the counter and Thomas cleared his throat.
“So, Mom, we were thinking you could help us,” Cora said at the same time.
Cora’s mom measured us up and down. She was the carbon copy of her daughter, with big blue eyes and rosy cheeks.
“How exactly?” she asked suspiciously, and Cora and Aaliyah side-eyed me.
I glared at Thomas, who was waiting with a smug smile for what I was going to come up with.
“Is there a possibility we could check the security tape from the sixth of July, 2009?” I asked, clearing my throat and resting my arms on the tall desk.
Cora’s mom knotted her brows, her lips parting. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s possible.” She gave me a sad smile. “Is there anything else I could help with?” she asked, but I shook my head.
“But, Mom,” Cora tried. “It’s not that big of a deal, we would be in and out before you know it.
“Please, Susie. Let us check them,” Aaliyah joined in with a high-pitched voice, but Cora’s mom shook her head.
“It’s really not my department,” she replied. “I’m really sorry.”
“See,” Thomas murmured into my ear, and I shivered, letting out a frustrated breath. “So, I guess plan A is on?” he asked with a smirk, and I rolled my eyes, pulling out my phone.
“Plan B, you mean.”
“I don’t; it was always my plan A.”
Cora and Aaliyah stayed behind to help Susie with something, and Thomas and I walked toward the exit.
“Relax, Sage.” His hot breath tickled my cheek. “I told you it wouldn’t work.” I scoffed and opened the messages on my phone.
“You are studying to be a lawyer. How can you come up with something like this?” I shook my head, and Thomas let out a throaty chuckle as we stepped out onto the sunny street.
“Because,” his voice was low as he talked, and my belly tickled. “If you know the consequences of something and how to treat them, they don’t scare you.”
I wrinkled my nose. “That’s very Yoda of you,” I said.
“Thank you,” he replied proudly, and I glanced back down to my phone.
I wanted to make a group chat so I wouldn’t have to ask everyone individually about Thomas’s plan. He wanted to do it alone, well, with just me and Connor, but that was a reckless idea. There were people who had a lot more knowledge about this town, and even the library, willing to help us. I was about to start adding names to it when I noticed another group chat below. I furrowed my brows and clicked on it.
Mystery Inc. (Braxton’s Version), I read the group’s name with a frown. Braxton has made a group chat, it stated in the middle of the screen.
brAXTON
If my name in your phone isn’t KingBrax, BigLee, KingLee, or BigB seriously consider changing it.
SAMANTHA JONES
What is this?
brAXTON
A group chat for the Scooby gang, obviously.
CON
Oh Kins will like this, and you
He was right, I liked the Scooby Doo reference.
KEVIN M.
*pic of parrot*
brAXTON
will? we are already besties
brAXTON
a handshake away from it, but that’s happening too
“Do you like him, though?” Thomas breathed, and I hid a smile.
“Careful, it will look like you care,” I teased.
“I do care.” He closed his arms around my waist and my toes curled, the butterflies going crazy in my stomach.
AALIYAH
The library plan failed
brAXTON
WHAT LIbrARY PLAN?
brAXTON
Am I being left out again?
CORA H.
*pic of book piles*
CORA H.
We wanted to watch the old security tapes
KEVIN M.
Susue didn’t agree?
KEVIN M.
*Susie
ME
What would you guys say to a break-in? Guided by goodwill of course.
brAXTON
I’m in, no question asked except WHAT LIbrARY PLAN???
CON
We found a to-do list in Mom’s case file and we want to follow up on it
KEVIN M.
if my father catches us, I’m bailing.
AALIYAH
We are in!
SAMANTHA JONES
*sent a like*
ME
See you all at 11 p.m. in front of the library.
I put my phone away. “It’s on.” I breathed, turning toward Thomas.
“You seem surprised.”
I shrugged. “I never imagined I would break into a library. Especially not with you,” I replied, and he smirked.
“I bet there are a lot more things you wouldn’t have imagined doing with me.” A crooked grin curled on his lips, and my knees weakened. “Not me,” he added a moment later, and I swallowed. “I imagined every dirty thing I did to you a thousand times, if not more.” He bit down into my bottom lip, and electricity jolted over my body. When he let go of me, he left a small kiss where his teeth had sunk into my skin, then, stepping around me, he opened the car door and waited until I was seated inside.
As soon as the door shut behind me, I let out a long breath, trying to steady myself while he got into the car too.
Now we just had to wait until it was time.