“I can’t go to the police.”
My shoulders slumped and I felt defeated. I just looked at her. I didn’t know what to say because I understood why going to the police wouldn’t get any information from Trevor. But at the same time, it was yet another person who knew I was innocent who wouldn’t go to the police to back up my story.
Her eyes were wide as she watched me. “It’s up to you. I can go to the police or I can keep an eye on Trevor. Whatever you think will help. Because at the end of the day, if they get their way…”
“It all falls on me,” I finished for her.
We stared at each other silently for a full minute.
“Can I help you two with anything?” an older man who worked for the store inquired as he approached us.
“No, thank you,” we said in unison.
He proceeded to tell us about their carpet special anyway.
When he realized we were not interested nor listening, he walked away. But the brief interlude gave me the opportunity to think about the options Kim gave me.
“I don’t want you to sleep with him if you don’t want to,” I started quietly.
Kim held up her hand. “I will gladly fuck him, get the information you need, and then fuck him.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“What they are doing is wrong and you deserve a fighting chance.”
Reaching over, I hugged her. “Thanks again.”
We said our goodbyes and I headed to my car. I climbed in and turned the music up. Giving into the tears, I sat in the parking lot for an hour wavering between rage and fear. The sky darkened, like my mood, and it wasn’t until my stomach rumbled that I realized I was hungry.
Gino’s.
I was on autopilot as I made my way to the best pizza place in all of New York. When I parked, I sat in my car for a while thinking about my conversation with Kim. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but the rain pounding the top of my car shook me out of my daze.
Reaching in the backseat for my umbrella, I realized I left it in Jay’s apartment.
“Dammit,” I muttered as I opened the door and stepped in a puddle. With my hands shielding my face as best I could, I took off running into Gino’s.
“Oh wow, it’s coming down out there,” the hostess greeted me. “You’re soaking wet.”
I wiped the water droplets from my face. “Yeah.”
“Well come on in and dry off!” She invited me in, waving her arms emphatically. “Have a seat anywhere.”
I glanced around the usually packed establishment and realized I was the only customer. “Where is everyone?”
“Ordering delivery! I guess the storm scared people off.” She flashed me a huge smile. “So, you have us all to yourself.”
I was going to get a takeout order. But I decided to eat in the restaurant. Since I needed time to process and figure out what to do, I opted to put off going home for a while.
I can’t deal with crossing the line with Jay and finding out I’m being set up for arson at the same time.
I needed to be alone with my thoughts and the quiet restaurant seemed as good of a place as any.
I chose a table near the front window. After ordering a lemonade and a small pizza, I stared out the window. The rain was coming down in heavy sheets. It was impossible to see beyond the parking lot. The stormy weather, the grey sky, the inability to see a way forward combined was a perfect depiction of how I felt.
“Brooklyn? Brooklyn?”
It took me a second to realize that someone was calling my name. Turning my head, I jumped slightly as soon as my eyes landed on him.
Aiden Black.
“Hey,” he said somberly. “Can I sit?”
“Okay.”
I stared at him as he pulled the chair out from under the table and sat across from me. I knew I was numb inside because the way his slightly damp t-shirt was clinging to his muscular body didn’t faze me.
“I’ve been thinking about you a lot,” Aiden started gently. “I didn’t like how our last conversation ended. I didn’t like how things played out between us.”
I didn’t like when you chose to protect yourself instead of simply telling the police the truth.
“I know this isn’t a great time, but I need you,” he stated boldly.
I continued looking at him blankly.
He placed his forearms on the table and leaned forward. “Paparazzi and press have been trying to link me to what happened to Carter.”
Hearing her name snapped me out of my trance. “What?”
He shook his head. “They are looking for a story. They know I was there and because of what happened when the police came, they are trying to make it into something else. They are angling for a story.”
Yeah, a story that’s a complete lie and absolves you and your friends of any responsibility, I thought irritably.
I knew I couldn’t say that because it would expose that I knew more than I was supposed to know, and I needed every advantage that I could get.
I kept my voice even and void of all emotion. “What happened when the police were there?” I questioned.
“They wanted to come in, but Trevor didn’t want them to. He told them that his boat was on fire and they ran to the back. Later when they asked to come in again, Trevor called his dad and because they didn’t have a warrant, they couldn’t enter.”
Was Carter still in the house?
I shifted in my seat. “Why didn’t he want them to come in?”
“They have weed, coke, and ecstasy all throughout that place.”
I quirked an eyebrow and pursed
