Chapter Twelve
Brian
A noise I wasn’t familiar with pulled me from my slumber.
And I didn’t remember the comforter being this soft.
Or vibrational.
It took me a second to realize Penny the Cat was curled up next to me in bed, purring.
At least her butt wasn’t on my face like Jade said it would be.
I ran my hand down the feline’s back and murmured, “Well, good morning to you, too,” then cast a glance at the closed door and mused, “How did you get in here, pretty girl?”
I’d seen videos of animals opening doors, so I supposed anything was possible. But if she’d closed it behind her, I’d be really impressed.
“Does your mama know you’re in here?”
I tried to listen for any sign that Jade was up, but it was hard to make anything out over Penny’s purring.
The kitty was so comfortable, I felt bad moving her, but nature called. I half-expected her to hiss and scratch me when I deposited her on the floor, but the look she shot me before running down the hall after I opened the door sufficed in letting her displeasure be known.
“I know. I’m sorry,” I mumbled as I crutched my way toward the bathroom.
After using the facilities, brushing my teeth, washing my hands, and running a wet comb through my hair, I took a deep breath as I gripped the vanity and looked at my reflection in the mirror.
“Okay, dickhead. Time for damage control. Be cool. Be charming. Let Jade know how much you appreciate her letting you stay last night. Offer to make her dinner sometime to thank her. And for fuck’s sake, don’t add, as friends when you suggest it!”
****
Jade
I lay in bed after I woke up and contemplated what I was going to do that day.
My original plan had been to go see Soph, but if Brian was staying at my house, it would feel rude to just leave him here alone.
But he’d said last night that he hoped to be gone in the morning, so I decided to pack a bag, just in case.
I’d let Lainey know that if worse came to worse, and it didn’t work out at Brian’s house with the media, he was welcome to come back and stay here without me. I trusted him.
He really was a good guy.
Plus, he could feed my cat.
I’d just finished making my bed when I got a text from Sophie.
Sophie: Please don’t be mad at me. They’re asking me to work this weekend. Normally I’d say no, but I’ve put in for a promotion, and I need to look like I’m a team player.
Me: I’m not mad—I totally understand!
Sophie: You should still come and go to the beach, then crash here!
Me; I don’t know. There’s a lot going on here. Brian O’Shaughnessy actually stayed here last night.
I quickly added:
In my guest room. The press is camped out in Haven Springs trying to get an interview with him.
Sophie: Um, when you get here, we’re gonna have to circle back to how Brian O’Shaughnessy ended up at your house (and why you made him sleep in the guest room!) But, how’s he doing? How’s your sister?
Me: It’s a long story how he ended up here. And please, like I’d invite Brian to sleep in my bed!
Lainey is good. She’s a survivor. I think she was rescued before she was hurt too badly, thank God. As for Brian, he is doing remarkably well after just getting shot and almost dying. Maybe it’s the pain pills he’s taking. LOL
Sophie: Or maybe it’s the company he’s keeping.
She added a winking emoji.
Me: Yeah, you know me. I’m the human equivalent of Oxy.
Sophie: I don’t even know what that means.
Me: LOL! Me neither!
Sophie: I gotta get ready for work. But, like I said, you’re welcome to stay here. You know the garage code. I love you! Thank you again for understanding.
Me: Love you, too. And of course I understand. You’re basically living my life, although I hope you’re at least getting laid on occasion.
Sophie: Your guest room is ten feet away. J/S!
I thought about sending a glib reply but sobered when I remembered how last night he’d made sure I knew he only thought of me as a friend.
Instead, I tossed my phone on my bed and went to my closet to throw on my walking attire: sports bra, tank top, running shorts, socks, and tennis shoes.
After plucking my headphones from the charger next to my bed and picking up my phone, I quietly opened my bedroom door and tiptoed down the hall toward the kitchen to refill my water bottle before heading out for my daily walk.
I paused.
Should I leave Brian a note?
It seemed like the polite thing to do. I didn’t want him trying to be quiet when he didn’t need to be, so I opened my junk drawer and pulled out a pad of square yellow sticky notes and scrawled, “Good morning! I went for a walk. Be back soon.” I noted the time at the bottom, then grabbed my phone and pulled up my music streaming service, put my earbuds in, and stepped out the front door.
Hopefully a brisk walk would help clear my head.
I decided to mix up my regular route, thinking that might help keep my mind occupied on something other than what Brian looked like shirtless in pajama pants.
Or from pondering why a kaleidoscope of butterflies had taken flight in my stomach when our eyes locked while we were laughing at something on the TV show we were watching.
Or why I’d felt so offended that he wasn’t the least bit interested in me.
It turned out that altering my path didn’t stop me from wondering exactly those things. In fact, I was so preoccupied with those thoughts that I wound up at the end of Brian’s street.
And it was lined with news vans.
Shit, shit, shit.
Even though my hair was a darker blonde, Lainey and I looked enough alike that from a distance I could be mistaken for her.
I needed to get the hell out of there before anyone noticed me and followed me home.
Turning on my heel, I headed back in the direction I’d just come from. I checked my watch for how far I’d walked, and decided I’d try to get my steps in at the beach later.
As I approached my little bungalow, I looked around to see if I’d been trailed home. I didn’t see anyone, but I didn’t want to take any chances, so I slipped around to the side door of the garage and went in that way.
I considered locking the door behind me, but hesitated, reasoning if I had done so before, I wouldn’t have been able to get into the garage just then.
To be honest, I’d never even thought about locking it before today. That was life in a small town. But with all these reporters lurking around, it was probably a good idea. Who knew how far they’d go to get a picture?
With that thought, I threw the lock and headed inside.
Closing the door gently, I toed off my shoes and set them next to my Crocs on the mat in my laundry room, then padded inside.
Brian wasn’t in the living room or kitchen, and I debated between jumping in the shower and making breakfast.
For whatever reason, I decided to try and showoff my domestic side and went with making breakfast.
I rolled my eyes at how ridiculous I was being.
Yes, because if your omelet is impressive enough, Brian will suddenly look at you in a new light.
Get a grip, Jade.
And yet, I continued taking ingredients from the fridge…