Page 52 of Don't Look Back

“Alright, I’ll get Sophia and meet you at the counter to hand in our skates.”

He disappears into the mess of people on the ice as I lead Leslie to the exit. We need to get out of here as soon as possible. If Jimmy’s here, there’s no telling what he’ll try to do.

Leslie’s unsteady on her feet as she steps off the ice. She slowly moves towards an empty bench and unlaces her skates. Her hands are trembling and it’s breaking my heart to see her so scared.

My entire career, I’ve put others first. I’ve gone out of my way to make them feel protected and safe in this town. Yet now when it actually matters, I can't seem to do anything to find this guy. It’s awful watching the woman I know be scared of something, knowing there isn't much I can do until Jimmy shows his slimy face in town.

I slip off my skates quickly and take Leslie’s from her. We walk to the rental desk and hand over the skates, waiting for them to give us our shoes back. I'm happy we both have slip on shoes and we don’t need to take time to lace anything up.

By the time we’re done, Pecker and Sophia are waiting for us. He has his hand protectively on her lower back and I make a mental note to ask him what’s going on with the two of them. But all of that can wait until we find this asshole.

We spent the entire day checking with every shop and business in town. We showed Jimmy’s picture to almost a hundred people and no one remembers seeing him around Maple Springs. Either Jimmy isn't here, or he’s trying hishardest to stay off our radar. Either way, I'm not happy about it.

The faster we can get him, the faster we can move on with our lives and get our happily ever after.

“Take Sophia in your car. I'm going to leave first and I want you to wait a minute or two and see if anyone follows me.” I keep my voice low so no one around us hears our conversation. I don’t want people asking questions and if Jimmy’s here, I don’t want him knowing my plan.

“Got it. We’ll walk you to your car first and pretend we’re saying goodbye.”

I nod my head and take Leslie’s hand in mine. We talk about Christmas and how we can't wait to open our presents and celebrate. Pecker and I are carrying most of the conversation since Sophia and Leslie are too scared to even talk.

When we get to the car, I make Leslie get in and Pecker stays there talking to her until I get in the driver’s side. We say goodbye and he shuts her door before walking Sophia over to his car.

After I'm sure they’re in with the doors locked, I pull out of the parking lot and head towards home. The entire way, I'm checking my rearview mirror,looking for any signs of someone following me. Anything that could make me feel uneasy.

“Do you see anyone?” Leslie whispers softly.

“No.” I reach for her hand and she takes mine instantly in a death grip.

A phone call from Peck comes through my car’s system and I click accept.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t see anything, Colt. No one has left here since you did. No one seems out of place and every person I’ve seen I’ve recognized as a resident of Maple Springs. I don’t know what to say.”

“Ok, maybe I was wrong.” Though I say the words, I don’t mean them. I know someone was watching us, but I don’t want to freak out Leslie anymore than she already is. “Sorry to cut our night short, guys.”

“It’s fine. We don’t mind.” There’s low murmuring on Pecker’s side of the line, but I can't hear them well enough to make out what they’re saying. “Hey, I’ll drive to your house to make sure everything is ok, but then I’m going to take Sophia back to my place for a little while.”

“You don’t need to do that. I think we’re ok. No one is following us. Just stay on the line until I get home.”

“Sounds good.”

It takes us a few more minutes to get home, then once I'm certain there isn't anyone lurking in the shadows, we quickly get inside the house. I keep Pecker on the phone while I check the house, then tell him it’s ok for him to go straight to his house. With Sophia not here, I can focus on Leslie and not have to worry about anyone else.

We get ready for bed in silence. Once we’re settled under the covers, I turn on the TV in my room and find a random romcom movie. I rarely ever use this TV, but I think we just need noise to fill the silence and help us fall asleep.

As soon as Leslie’s breathing evens out, I send two text messages. One to Pecker and one to Mason.

Colt: Can you keep Sophia at your house tonight? I’d rather only have one person to worry about in case he shows up.

Colt: My gut is saying he’s here. Now we need to find him.

Chapter 30

Leslie

“Do you have a curling iron I can borrow?” Sophia pops her head into my room.

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