Chapter 13 Farrah
I sighed, rubbing my eyes with my fists.
I was so damned tired from my internship that all I wanted was to shower, climb in my bed, and read until I knocked out.
Tonight, though, I had class. Looking in the mirror, I picked at my straightened hair and glossed my lips, hoping to make myself look more alive.
I grabbed a light sweater, my reading glasses, my backpack, and purse and headed out the door.
“Ms. Gray?” my professor, Dr. Williams, called.
I closed my eyes and blew out a quiet breath. What was it now? I just wanted to get to my car, stop for gas because I had an early morning tomorrow, grab some wine, and go cuddle up in my bed. Dr. Williams was cool, but the way he looked at me sometimes made me wonder…
I turned around to face him, pasting a smile on my face. “Yes, sir?”
“You seemed unusually distracted tonight. I hope you find next week’s topic more interesting,” he said, walking closer to me.
I felt a blush heating my cheeks. I couldn’t believe he had noticed.
“I… I just have a lot going on this week,” I tried to explain.
He nodded. “Understood. I just don’t want you to let anything ruin your perfect average.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. I never let anything get in the way of my grades.”
“Good to know. Well, you have a good night and a good weekend.”
“Thank you. Same to you,” I said, before hurrying out the door.
It was almost dark outside, so I wasn’t surprised to see Steel waiting on the sidewalk.
I knew he had followed me here, and I’d seen him riding by my parents’ house a couple of times today.
I smiled at him, and he gave me a small smile back as he walked me to the parking garage.
He was parked right next to me, and I knew he’d probably follow me home to make sure I got in safely.
“I’m going to stop by the gas station before I go home,” I told him.
He nodded and waited for me to get in the car. We pulled off a minute later and he followed me into the parking lot of a nearby convenience store. I climbed out and looked over to where he was getting out of his Chevy. That was so not necessary.
“I’m used to pumping.”
He gave me a half smile. “I got it.”
“I’ma go get wine while you get gas,” I told him.
He shook his head. “I’ll go with you.”
I almost rolled my eyes. Despite Mekhi’s warning, nothing had happened to me in the last couple of weeks.
I was starting to think this protection was a little too much.
Maybe I had misread the tulips thing. I mean, was it so hard to believe I had a secret admirer?
Shaking my head, I walked toward the store’s entrance, Steel behind me.
The sudden screech and sound of metal hitting metal had us both whirling around.
“I know you fucking lying,” Steel mumbled. “Get back in yo’ car.”
Someone had run into the back of his car.
He strode angrily toward his car–I knew he loved it because the outside always sparkled and the interior had been immaculate.
I stood outside for a moment, making sure he had everything under control.
I walked toward the glass door of the store while the guy who had caused the wreck tried to explain what happened.
I could pay for my gas, grab my wine, and be done before they were.
“Ay!” Steel called. Sighing, I turned around. “Don’t leave out of the store without me. I’m for real, Farrah.”
That was probably the most words I’d ever heard him say.
I nodded to let him know I understood. I walked in and gave the disinterested cashier a half-smile.
He grunted a reply, his attention on the tiny TV that occupied him in the cage.
I quickly made my way to the wine and beer section.
I couldn’t find the sweet red wine I was looking for.
Trying to find an alternative, I was so focused on the shelves that I didn’t feel someone stepping into my personal space.
Only when the scent of an expensive cologne wrapped around me did I look up and into the dark eyes of a tall, brown-skinned man. He was cute, but he was way too close.
“Hey,” I said with a fake grin, trying to step around him.
I started staring at the shelves again, aware that this man’s eyes stayed glued to me.
Something about his gaze made me shiver.
But it wasn’t the kind of shiver Mekhi brought out of me.
Why am I thinking of him? Focus! No, this was the kind of shiver I felt when I was scared.
I walked farther down the aisle, ready to get away from him.
“You even prettier close up,” he spoke up suddenly.
I looked around to see whom he could be talking to, but no one else was on this aisle. I frowned up at him.
“Excuse me?”
He smiled as he walked closer. Almost without realizing it, I took a step back. He looked vaguely familiar, but I didn’t know him. He kept coming until I was backed up against one of the beer coolers with nowhere to go. Stupid move. Reaching out, he pulled on one of my curls.
“Don’t do that,” I told him.
“Is that just for Mekhi?” he asked.
His grin widened as he asked the question. For some reason, it only made him seem more terrifying. My heartbeat raced as I tried to hide my fear.
“Could you move?”
I was doing my best to sound annoyed and assertive, but he wasn’t affected. I swear he leaned in closer.
“What if I don’t want to move, Farrah?”
My heart pounded even faster when he said my name.
His voice was low, gritty, with some sort of regional accent.
Who was this? And where was Steel? Hell, where was anyone else in this damn store?
I moved to the left, trying to slide away from him.
He simply boxed me in again, his scary smile staying in place.
“I guess you didn’t like the tulips.”
I sucked in a breath as I finally got the confirmation that the tulips were related to all of this going on with Mekhi.
“I won’t take much of your time, pretty girl. I just want you to give your boyfriend a message.”
I swallowed and almost asked who my boyfriend was but playing dumb might piss him off. I knew he was talking about Mekhi.
“What’s the message?”
He touched my hair again. I moved my head and he chuckled.
“Tell him it’s a shame how easy it was for me to get close to something he’s supposed to treasure. And tell him Trell said his days are numbered.”
He stepped back and winked at me before strolling off like nothing crazy had just happened. I didn’t realize I was still pressed against the cooler, staring ahead of me until I heard Steel ask, “You good, Farrah?”
I jumped, then whirled around to face him. My mouth opened, but no sound came out. I didn’t know what to do. Should I lie and deliver the message straight to Mekhi? But I was too shaken up for that.
“Did you see… did you see that man?”
Steel frowned. “What man?”
I gave him a quick description and he shook his head.
“He gave me a message for Mekhi.”
“Fuck!” he cursed. “Let’s go.”