Page 131 of If I Could

“Playing him how?”

“He might think I was there to check out the place and tell the cops. Or maybe he’d think I WAS a cop. So I decided to play along and pretend I was there to get something other than a beer.”

“But you didn’t actually buy anything.”

“Actually, I did. I bought a gun.”

“What?” My heart’s racing again. “Why would you buy a gun?”

“Because I don’t feel safe living out here. If something ever happened it’d take a half hour before the cops even got here. Same with you. I got the gun to protect us both.”

Is he telling the truth? It seems like he is and his answer actually makes sense. He had to make sure he’d get out of there safely. Pretending to be one of the bad guys was actually smart, if that’s really what he was doing.

I’m so confused. I want to believe him but there’s a hint of doubt nagging at me, telling me there’s more to the story.

“You know I don’t like guns,” I say.

“Which is why I didn’t tell you. It’s locked away. You’ll never even see it.”

“Have you used a gun before?”

“Yeah. My dad and I used to shoot at the range when I was in high school. I’m not great at it but if I had to protect myself, I could.” He puts his hand on mine. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just worried you’d be mad that I bought it.”

“I’m worried you’re going to caught. You didn’t buy it legally. You could get in trouble for that.”

“Not if no one finds out. I’ll never even use the thing unless I have to.” He stands up and pulls on me to do the same. And then he hugs me. “Let’s not talk about this. We’re officially on vacation now. Tomorrow morning we’ll get on a plane and a few hours later you’ll get to see your mom.”

“I’m really looking forward to that.”

He pulls back. “Do you have everything packed?”

“Yeah, but I should probably check the flight time to make sure nothing’s changed.”

“Then go ahead and do that and I’ll start dinner.”

“We don’t have anything. The fridge is cleared out.”

He opens the cupboard and takes out the peanut butter. “PB&J?” He smiles. “Simple yet delicious. And something I know how to make.”

I smile back. “Okay, but I want extra jelly on mine. And make it grape.”

“Got it.”

He’s not acting strange or nervous so I don’t think he’s hiding anything. I think the story he told me is true. I hate that I’m even questioning it but stupid Jesse has my head all messed up.

I’m not letting Jesse’s suspicions ruin my trip. The rest of the night, I try to relax and focus on tomorrow. My mom already has a place picked for dinner. She told me about it last week. It’s in her neighborhood and has a funny name, which I can’t remember right now, but my mom always laughs when she says it.

* * *

The next day,as we’re going through airport security, Kyle gets pulled aside by one of the security guys. The guy is holding Kyle’s driver’s license as the two of them talk. Then he gives it back and Kyle walks over to me.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Nothing.” He puts his license back in his wallet.

“Why was he questioning you?”

“It was just a mix-up. He thought it was an expired license but he just read it wrong.”

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