Page 80 of Right Number, Wrong Man
Any moment now, I expect suspenders boy to start drooling. It’s disgusting.
“In the meantime, I’ll do a lil research on our new friend,” Cody says quietly. “Got a few contacts I can hit up. If he’s registered anywhere in the US of A, I’ll find him.”
“Thanks.”
I’ve long stopped asking how he got those contacts or how he maintains them. He wouldn’t tell me anyway. CIA shit.
Cody nods. “That’s what friends are for. Tell Hailey I’m takin’ a rain check for the popcorn and soda, but I’ll be back for my friendship snacks another day. I’m sticking around the area for a while. Spending my time with y’all seems more fun than gettin’ drunk somewhere by my lonesome.”
He puts on his sunglasses and strolls outside.
I make my way toward the popcorn machine and pretend to check the settings so I can listen in. Wonder if I could suffocate Justin if I stuck his head inside? I’d have to get a new machine, though, cause nobody’s gonna want Justin-flavored popcorn.
“Sorry I didn’t call,” Hailey says, picking at the edge of the counter. “I’ve just been so busy with work…”
Didn’t call him?
That must mean this scumbag gave her his number, but she wasn’t interested. Is that why she seems so uncomfortable? Maybe she feels guilty—not thatshe has any reason to. She owes him nothing and he should’ve gotten the hint.
“That’s alright, Hailey,” he says softly.
“Y-you know my name?” she asks, stiffening.
Justin chuckles as he pushes up his glasses, but they slide down his nose again instantly. “Sorry. Back at the bar, I heard your friend call you Hailey.”
Nope. That harmless nerd act ain’t fooling me.
He can smile and stutter and fumble all he wants, but he made the biggest mistake of his cursed existence by coming here. The rest of the world might buy his lies, but I see right through him and the longer I watch, the more certain I am what he is.
Only another predator would notice that cold hunger in his dead eyes and the malicious twist in the tug of his lips.
Without a doubt, this man is dangerous.
Silence stretches and Hailey gets more nervous with every passing second. She tucks hair behind her ear and shifts her weight, chewing on her lip while Justin stares like a psycho.
He’s using basic manipulation tactics, saying her name more often than you’d usually do to make the conversation seem more intimate. And by staying silent now, he’s essentially forcing her to speak.
I grit my teeth. How mad would she be if I stepped in? She hates it when I act overbearing and we still haven’t smoothed over the spider prank conversation, but I can’t stand by any longer.
I open my mouth, but Hailey speaks first.
“W-well, since you’re already here I wanted to know if you got plans for Saturday in two weeks?” she asks him.
Fuck. I shouldn’t’ve waited to interrupt. Getting herangry would’ve been better than letting her ask him on a date she doesn’t want.
Justin’s grin turns wolfish. “I’m free as a bird!”
Hailey gives an uncertain nod. “My best friend is getting married and I need a plus one for the party if you?—”
“I’d love to go!” he interrupts.
I hold back a growl. He ain’t just a psycho, but a rude one, too. That won’t do. I need to get him away from her. Temporarily, for now. Forever, later on.
“Awesome. I’ll text you the details,” she says, that nervous smile plastered on her face like she’s in a goddamn hostage situation.
My nostrils flare and the muscles in my neck strain. It takes considerable effort to suppress the urge to grab this fucker by the collar, throw him out right now, and make him closely acquainted with my 9mm.
I just reckon murder on Main Street wouldn’t go over well with the neighbors.
