Page 47 of Not A Peep

Jason scoffs. “They’re more than just a little relieved. You don’t even know half of the problems they were facing with all of this. It wasn’t just the medical expenses and the long hours. There’s so much that Ican’ttell you,” he sighs, shaking his head slightly before regrouping. “I just wanted you to know that you saved Carlos’ life. None of us had ever heard of this place before you mentioned it. Carlos never would’ve been able to do all of this between himself and Trip. You saved their company, their relationship, and you saved someone I really respect.”

Jason steps forward, cups my face between his hands and leans down to kiss me. This kiss is unlike any other before it from him. It’s sweet, soft, and tentative.Thiskiss should’ve been our first. It’s the one I fantasized about, the one I longed for as I stared at him from behind my desk at the library. When he pulls away, I’m left feeling breathless and a little giddy. Am I floating on cloud nine right now? Because it definitely feels like it.

“I told Trip and Grant that I came to visit you, and that we had an enlightening conversation, but I didn’t mention what we talked about. I wasn’t sure how they’d react. We’re private people, dollie, but that day, I really needed to talk, and not only did you listen, you helped me. I’m going to tell them that contacting that place was your idea.”

The giddiness I’m feeling dissipates immediately.

“No, please don’t.” I grimace, hating that I’ve lowered myself to begging so much around him. “Take the credit.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want or need their thanks nor do I want to draw their wrath becauseyoudecided to disclose information I didn’t ask for. You guys make my life a living hell as it is.Pleasedon’t make it worse for me.”

I expect Jason to get defensive or cocky with me. Instead, he frowns thoughtfully. Running his fingers through his wild curls, he turns and looks around the space. With his attention elsewhere, I force myself to take another bite of toast. My stomach hurts and my head feels like it might just pop off my shoulders at any minute. Food will help with both. I just need to get it down.

“Since we got the news Friday night about Carlos, there’s been a weight that’s lifted off us,” Jason mutters after a minute. I can see him turn to face me out of my peripheral, but I don’t acknowledge the attention as I take another bite of bread. “They’re both going to be as grateful as I am about what you’ve done for us. Maybe we can work something out.”

“Something that doesn’t involve blackmail?” I counter grimly.

Jason snorts.

“C’mon, you know you deserve it, at least a little.” I don’t say anything to this. With a sigh, Jason steps closer to me. “This started off for them as a game and a way to blow off steam. But I think we need to switch gears. We’ll see, but for now, I need to get going.”

I grunt but still refuse to meet his gaze. Without another word, Jason leaves my apartment, letting me eat the rest of my lame breakfast in peace.

Fifteen

When Monday comes, I’m not ready.

Knowing that I’ll probably end up seeing Trip or Grant and have to deal with their mocking about the video that I drunkenly sent them, I brace myself for a shitty day. But it looks like the gods are looking upon me favorably because none of them show up before lunch. Each time I think it’s them, it’s just a random student.

When lunch time rolls around and Jonathan returns from his break, I’ve let my guard down. Maybe today won’t be so bad? Ok, so I embarrassed myself, but really, was I in any better spot before I sent them that video? No. So, while I may not be able to make eye contact with them anymore, at least I know I still don’t have any pride to cling to while in their presence.

When it’s my turn to take a break, I practically skip to the staff room. There, I happily chow down on cold pizza and scroll through my phone.

Just as I finish up lunch and move to stand, my phone rings. I smile as Pianna’s name flashes on the screen. My thumb slides across the screen to answer the call.

“Hey! I have so much to talk to you about. But I’m at work, can I call you—”

“Briella!”

The slight whine to her voice sets me on edge immediately.

“What? What is it? Pianna, are you ok?”

“I-I swear I sawhim,” she whispers. “I was at work, and I went to my car to fetch something, and there was this guy watching me. He looked just like Joey.”

I take a deep, steadying breath to calm my racing heart. She’s ok, thank god.

“It can’t be him, Pia” I whisper, squeezing my eyes shut.

That wretched night flashes before my eyes. It was three and half years ago, yet I swear it feels like last night.

“But it was, I swear, Bri!” Pianna’s voice ramps up to a squeal. “Joey’s here, watching me.”

I shake my head. “He’s not, Pia. I promise. What happened when you noticed this guy?”

“H-he, ah, well, actually I don’t know. I ran back into the building,” she admits. “I went into security and asked to see the feed, but it turns out our cameras are down out there. So, I can’t besure,but this guy looked so much like him.”

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