Page 30 of Be Mine

“That’s correct.”

“What happened after that?”

“We hung out. Had a few drinks together. He was showing some interest in me, but it wasn’t reciprocated. My co-worker, Taylor, was into his friend, and it was looking like it was going to lead to more. However, I didn’t share those feelings for Emmett.”

Nodding his head, he continues writing, the scratching of the pen on paper amplified in the small room.

“And at what point did you meet Mr. Porter?”

This is where it all gets hazy. The phone call from him. Noah injecting me with something. Dragging me back to his house. I hesitate for a moment. I could tell him everything right now. Every sordid detail. But I bite my tongue.

“Shortly before you called. He understood the circumstances with Emmett. He offered for me to stay at his place.”

Officer Barde watches me, his pen bouncing off his pad of paper. He smacks his gum, popping small bubbles behind his teeth before he shuffles the file until a new one appears from underneath.

He grills me about Myles. About my relationship with him. How we met. How long it lasted. Why it ended. Apparently, when he questioned Martha, she had told him about our screaming matches, how she had threatened Myles a time or two to get his shit together.

He details that the DNA from the heart matches Myles’ DNA in the database. He had a criminal record, after all. He was released from jail a month ago and didn’t waste any time getting into shit again. He was slinging drugs for a dealer on the south side of town. According to a source, he didn’t turn up with the cash and that has led the police to believe he was murdered. The heart could be a warning from them, as I was connected to Myles before he went to jail. Drug dealers don’t take too kindly to being ripped off.

“Your landlord is installing new security cameras, as well as better locks.”

Well, that will make Martha happy.

“It's an open investigation, and police will be patrolling your neighborhood for the time being. Unfortunately, Myles’ murder is the reality of getting involved with the wrong kind of people. A lot of times, you end up in jail or dead.”

He rises from his chair, assumingly to dismiss me.

“In the meantime, you can go back to your apartment, but stay vigilant. I know I don’t have to tell you going to the club was reckless. Thankfully, Mr. Porter was kind enough to keep you safe.”

Keep me safe, alright, if you call tying someone up and fucking them into submissionsafe. Pushing back my chair, Istart towards the door. Just as I have my hand on the knob, Officer Barde calls out to me.

“And Frankie, stay away from those kinds of guys from now on, yeah?”

I hold back a snort. Myles was a kitten in comparison to the guy sitting down the hall.

I wait for Noah by his truck, leaning against the passenger door. The temperatures have dipped well below zero and the last rays of daylight are dissipating, but he still hasn’t come out. I know he told me it was unlocked, but it’s killing me not knowing what’s happening in there. I’ve picked my cuticles raw, I’ve paced the length of the truck more times than I can count, but there’s no sign of him and no movement inside from what I can tell.

The streetlamps pop on, the parking lot is empty besides a few cruisers. I’m lost in my thoughts when a silver car pulls up next to Noah’s truck and Taylor jumps out.

“Girl, are you ok?” She rushes up to me, embracing me in a hug.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“I'll help you load your stuff up in my car. Yours is still parked at mine.”

It’s been a crazy weekend, and leaving Taylor’s townhouse feels like ages ago.

“Ok, thanks. That would be great.”

We take my bags, the cat carrier with Cosmos, who is now protesting loudly, out of Noah’s truck, and put them in the back seat of her car. I open the passenger door, lingering a little longer, hoping to see Noah, but he doesn’t come out. Climbing inside and buckling up, Taylor pulls out.

“So Noah, huh? Guess I was right?” She raises her brows as she pulls up to a stop sign. She’s probably been dying to sayI told you soall weekend.

“Yeah, yeah,” I brush her off.

“What was he like? I bet he has a big dick and a filthy mouth; the quiet ones always do.”

I shift towards her in my seat. “And who said I had sex with him?”

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