Page 11 of Heat Wave
“I realize I can’t go back tonight, but tomorrow…”
“Oakley,” he squats down in front of the chair I’m sitting in, “I have to ask you some questions…”
“Okay. I think I’ve told you everything I know, but I don’t mind answering more if it will help.”
“Do you have anyone who might want to hurt you or your mom?”
“What?!” I jump up out of my chair, nearly oversetting him in the process. What the hell kind of question is that? And why does it feel like the room just got colder?
Chapter Ten
Waylon
She stands up right in front of me, and I have to grab hold of my instincts and not tip myself forward and faceplant in her pussy. It’s not the right time to be catching hints of that cherry candy scent or to be thinking about putting my mouth on it. I’m in my mom’s fucking kitchen for fuck’s sake. Not to mention she’s just been through something extremely traumatic and is upset.
“Can you give us a minute?” I stand up, so we are all but brushing against one another, and look over at my mom and Terry. Both of them nod and make a quick exit. As soon as the door shuts, I take Oakley by the arms and pick her up. She gasps but doesn’t cry out. I walk her over to the island and sit her on top of it before I take the seat right in front of her.
She’s not used to having someone pick her up and put her where they want her. I can tell that by the look on her face.
“Oakley, I need you to answer my question. Is anyone mad at you? Anyone you used to date that might still be…”
“I’ve, um, only ever dated Tommy. He…seemed pretty mad at me when he thought we…”
“No other boyfriends? Nobody else you might have kissed or…?”
“No, Waylon. There was just Tommy. What does that have to do with someone breaking into my apartment?”
“Is there someone who thought you might be more to them, someone who maybe had a crush on you…?”
“Waylon, there’s nobody else.”
“Someone tried to set your apartment on fire, Oakley.”
“What?” All the color drains from her face, and her eyes become unfocused. “What?”
“Someone tried to burn your place down.”
“My mom…”
“She’s staying with a friend, right? That’s what Mom said.”
She nods absentmindedly.
“I’ll call her later on, but for right now, I think she’s safer there.”
“Why would anyone break into a place to rob it and set it on fire, Waylon? It doesn’t make any sense?”
“I don’t think they broke in to rob the place, Oakley. There was some jewelry left lying out in your mom’s room, and some loose money was still on the island in the kitchen.”
“But…why would someone break in if not for money or…?”
I spread her legs so I can wedge myself in between her thighs and pull her closer to me by putting my hands on her hips. She’s so distracted, she doesn’t argue or act like we don’t do this kind of thing all the time. I don’t want to tell her how it was some of her things that were used to try to ignite the fuel, things like her underwear and a teddy bear that looked well-loved. I sent it out to be cleaned for her.
“I think someone broke into your house on purpose, Oakley. I think they targeted you, or maybe your mom.”
“Targeted? Why? Why would someone target me? Who? Who would do that?”
“We’re exploring every option…”
