Page 69 of Hesi-Dating
"The guy coming by is just showing me something about a case." God, my mind was foggy. I didn't quite understand why he needed to come by now. Did she think this was about Nosh threatening her? Did I have a mole in my department who worked for a gang leader? If I did, this was a hell of a way to flush him out.
"A guycoming byat…" She rolled her watch to glance at the screen. "10:30 at night?" She scrunched up her face. "That's bullshit. This is about me. I'm so sorry."
"Tell me what's going on." I needed her to let me in.Please let me help you.
More tears. "I was stupid to come." She wiped under her eyes. "Please, don't look at me like that. I don't regret a second of tonight, but I'm putting you and everyone in danger."
"Why do you think I'm in danger?"
Fuck. Her tears killed me.
"It's not you. And it is you. I hate that we can't do this." She disappeared into the bathroom. I heard her blowing her nose.
I caught her on the way out of the bathroom and hugged her tight to me. I wanted everything from her, but her inability to trust me hurt. I felt like her dirty secret that she wanted to hide.
"I'm not a crier. Just want to put that out there. This…me crying twice is weird. I'm just so fucking scared I'll get you killed."
"Don't go." I held onto her. "I can take care of myself."
For a moment she held on, but then she pushed at me. "I have to go. I can't come back. I'm sorry."
I massaged my forehead, frustrated. "You're right, I'm not good at this on again and off again thing. I need you to tell me what the hell is going on. Why are you running? Tell me who you're afraid of and why."
She stared into my face as if memorizing it. "You're incredible. You deserve someone who can give you all of themself and love you hard. Me, though…I'm a mess. I can't give you what you want even though I wish deep in my soul I could. Not sure if I'll ever be free to do that. If you can find what you need from someone else, take it. I wish it could be me, but other things are taking this away from us. You deserve happiness."
"I don't want someone else. Aren't you hearing me?"
But she didn't hear. She'd left.
I pulled on my briefs and rushed after her. "Don't leave!"
By the time I made it to the front room I saw the flash of taillights outside as she drove away.
"Damn it." I slammed my fist on the front door. Then doubled over as pain rolled through my shoulder. "Why the hell can't you trust me?"
Minutes later another car pulled down the drive. By then, I'd dressed and fully armed myself. Henry rolled onto his side to watch me.
Knock. Knock.
“You’re not even going to bark at him?” I held up my hands. “You suck as a guard dog. You know that?”
Opening the door, I let Dylan in. My disappointment in him almost overrode my distrust. Was he truly crooked? Had he been bought off by a gang leader? Maybe the gang leader threatened his family.
Somehow, I managed to say in a neutral tone, "It's almost eleven o'clock. What's so important?"
He glanced around as if looking for someone else.
I crossed my arms and remained super focused on him. He was out of uniform and looked as if he'd dressed hastily.
Dylan scrutinized the corners of my place, his gaze shifty and nervous.
"Are you looking for something?"
Even though I was still pissed about Joley leaving, I was glad she had.
Why, Dylan? How much is that sonofabitch paying you to snitch to him?
"Are you alone?" Dylan asked.
