Page 38 of Liberate Us

“Oh ofcourse. It’s nothing big. Remember that guy you bumped into a few weeks back? Imet him at the library of all places.” She laughed. “Before you jump toanything, we’re just friends and I haven’t fucked him. He’s married anyway.”

“Oh, wellwe can always use extra friends.”

“True.” Herface lit up. “I do think I know him or know of him. I can’t figure out howthough. He just seems familiar or something about him does anyway. I don’t knowmuch about his business and the line of work he’s in, but I know he and hispartners help people. I think they’re bikers, but he’s never told me that. Hehas a friend though who looks like Spencer Reid fromCriminal Minds.”She fanned herself. “Holy fuck balls is he hot.”

My eyeswidened. “What?”

“He is.He’s not usually my type. I like older men with tattoos and piercings but thisguy, I would drop to my knees for him, that’s for sure. But there’s somethingabout him that scares me.” She shivered. “I would gladly get over my fearthough to have him tell me what to do.”

“No.” Ishook my head. “Wait, back up.”

Her facefell. “What’s wrong?”

“After...thenight Aaron was killed and I was...well, it doesn’t matter...anyway, I rememberseeing a guy who looked like Spencer, but I was so out of it, I thought I wasseeing things.” Shawnee and I had spent weeks binge watchingCriminal Mindsand both fell in love with Spencer. Even though, like she said, she preferredthe older guys, there was something about the young doctor we liked. We hadalso joked that even though he was awkward in public, he was probably dirty asfuck in the bedroom.

“Oh…well...itmust have been the same guy. It had to have been.” She came toward me andpulled me into a hug. “I’ll do some investigating. Don’t worry about it. Drivesafe to your mama’s and text me when you get there. Did you tell Sammy whereyou’re going?”

“I did.” Ihoped I would see him tonight before I left but I hadn’t heard from him, so Iwasn’t sure if that would happen.

“Good. Idon’t need him showing up here demanding to know where his girl is.” She rolledher eyes but as much as she acted as though she didn’t like the idea, I knewthat she would love it if a guy did that for her.

I laughed,shaking my head. “I should go. Keep me posted on that guy and please becareful. And...I’m sorry again.”

“Stop. Youtake care of yourself. That’s most important. I’ll wait for your texttomorrow.”

“Love you.”I went to the door, opened it, and peeked my head out into the hall to makesure that Will was nowhere nearby, then stepped out into it.

“He won’tbother you.”

I jumped,spun around, and found Locke leaning against the wall, playing on his phone.“He could be outside, waiting for me.”

“True, buthe isn’t. He had another beer, made some noise about how you’re ignoring him,and left. Cheesy and a couple of the other guys are outside.” Locke looked myway then. “You’re good.”

“Thankyou.” I quickly left the building, needing to get home, have a glass of wine,and just curl up in my bed.

Tucking myhead down, I waved to Cheesy as I walked to my car. When I was seated insideit, I locked the doors and checked the back seat. To most, it wouldn’t benormal to check but you could never be too safe. Especially with the people Ihad known once upon a time.

When I washome and finally in my apartment, I let out a breath of relief I never realizedI had been holding. My body was tight, my muscles bunched beneath my skin asthe night played out in my mind.

An hourlater, I was showered, in pajamas, had a glass of red wine in hand, and wasabout to curl up in bed with a book when my phone buzzed.

Sammy:You home?

Me: Iam.

I took apicture of my bare legs stretched out in front of me and sent it to him.

Sammy:Fuck me, I need those legs wrapped around me.

My body heated.

Me: I’mabout to drown myself in a glass of wine.

Sammy:Drown in me, pet, and I’ll help you fucking breathe.

I satforward, my stomach flipping. I didn’t know what he meant by that, but I didn’tcare. I liked how it sounded.

Me: Comeover. Now.

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