Page 89 of Tease
Once I open the doors, sunlight hits my face. It’s beautiful outside, perfect weather for my tank top and jeans. My hand reaches for my necklace that’s tucked in between my breasts. Pulling it out over my tank, I realize that I need to get a shorter chain for the pendant.
Something is hanging on the handle of my driver door. The closer I get, I realize it looks familiar. It looks like the black feathered mask I wore when I took photos to sell on the app. I stop and look around to check if someone is watching me. Nothing out of the ordinary sticks out to me. Ripping it off the handle, I notice the mask looks exactly like mine—glitter spray and all.It can’t be. I look back at my apartment building and take off running. I run up all three flights of stairs, unlock my front door, and head straight to the drawer where I’ve always kept my mask and cell phone.
Opening the drawer, I see that it’s empty. My hand sweeps throughout the drawer, not believing there’s nothing inside. Oh my god. Who found me? My stomach starts to roll, and I barely make it to the toilet before I puke. What the fuck?
I can’t stay here; it’s not safe. I grab my bottle of mouthwash and run back out of my apartment. And I don’t stop running until I’m locked inside my vehicle.
CHAPTER 63
KC
My hands finally quit shaking on the drive to work. Thank god Brittney won’t be home tonight either. She went to the fights with Skyler. I don’t want to be alone tonight, and I’m not going to spill what the fuck happened to Jared over texts and stress him out. I don’t even know how this happened. I’ve been so careful when posting as xxSparkleySkittlexx. I mean, this could all be Mathew just fucking with me, because he could have found out about my online persona while snooping in my apartment.
I texted Ajani, asking if we could meet up at Darla’s Pub for drinks once my shift ended tonight. I’ll stay the night with her afterwards, then I can figure out what the fuck to do tomorrow. Every noise has me jumping and looking over my shoulder. Nothing can happen while I’m here. I know I’m safe with Carter’s people.
I’m almost done wrapping up behind the bar, when a blonde at the end catches my attention. I have to do a double take, and my breath gets caught in my throat. This woman has bleach blonde hair and a right dimple piercing; her head is tilted down, and she’s texting on her phone.
I’m frozen in place when she looks at me, catching me staring, and her smile is slow to spread across her face. Her voice soft when she speaks. “Kailey?”
The woman at the end of the bar looks a lot like Beth, but she isn’t my sister. It’sSarah.
“Uhm, Sarah? What the hell are you doing here?” I walk over to her.
“Holy shit, this is crazy. I’m in town for work and was told this is the place to go for a good drink.” She waves her fruity drink up in the air.
Wow. The closer I get to her, I can’t believe how much she looks like my sister. It’s unnerving. I don’t speak; I just continue to just stare at her.
Her palms rest on the bartop. “I’m really sorry about…everything.”
I shake my head, coming back to reality, instead of staying lost in thoughts of Beth.
“It’s in the past…”
And I mean that, right? I’m with Jared again, and it feels really good. Why should I still have any negative feelings against Sarah? Maybe it’s time to let all of that go too. I know I’ll feel lighter. I grab her hand and give it a squeeze. “You just caught me off guard. Seeing you here. And you look an awful lot like Beth right now.”
Sarah pushes her hair behind her ears. “Yeah, I always thought that dimple piercing of hers was badass.” She lightly taps her diamond stud. “She inspired me. In a way, this helps me keep her memory going.”
I give her a sad smile and nod. “I understand that.” My fingertips lightly drift over my sunflower tattoo. Sarah and Beth were close too; we all were. Shit, that feels like a lifetime ago.
“I feel like running into you was meant to be.” Sarah’s hand turns and squeezes mine. “I always wondered what had happened to you, and how life has been treating you.”
“Life’s been good. I really love living here in Chicago.”
“Yeah, from what I’ve seen, it’s very beautiful and upbeat here.”
“What did you say that you do for a living? What brought you here?”
“Oh, I haven't yet. I’m traveling with my boss. I’m kind of his personal assistant. We’re only here for the night, for some sort of high-end merchandise sale. Then we head back out tomorrow morning.” Sarah pauses, looks around the bar then back at me. “Hey, what time do you get off? Would you like to go somewhere for dinner or something?”
My emotions are at an all-time high right now. But seeing her here has to be a sign that I’m meant to forgive and move on, right?
“I’m actually going to meet a friend shortly for drinks. You’re more than welcome to tag along.”
“That would be so fun! I’d love to catch up. And I definitely didn’t want to spend the night alone in my hotel.”
“Alright, give me time to finish up my rounds here, then you can follow me over there.”
“I actually used a taxi service to come here. Do you mind if I just ride with you?”
