Page 132 of Smokey's Distraction
As soon as she picked up the phone, the doorbell rang.Is that Brady?No, she saw him drive away. It was probably Eric dropping off her MacBook.
Looking out the small window at the top of the door, she turned off the alarm, then turned the lock and opened the door. Jared was standing there, holding her computer.
“Hi,” she said, unlatching the screen door. “I thought Eric was coming.”
“Someone called off again, so he stayed to cover. I just finished my shift, so he asked me to drop off your computer.” Holding it out, he handed it to her.
“Thanks a lot. It was nice of you to come out of your way.”
He shrugged. “It’s no big deal. I was going this way.”
“Whitney said you guys are having to pick up a lot of extra shifts.”
Nodding, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “That’s the way it is in the restaurant and bar business.” He looked over at the street, then back at her. “How’s your friend Nicole?”
Ashley smiled.So Jaredcanbe personable when he wants to be.“She’s good. She and another friend of mine are planning to come here in a couple of weeks.”
“Make sure you come by the bar.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s high up on her list.”
Suddenly, Jared started coughing and gagging.
“Are you all right?”
Holding his throat, he shook his headno.He continued to cough, gasping for air, making raspy noises.
Stepping back, she held the screen door open wide. “Come inside. I’ll get you a glass of water.”
As he stepped inside, she motioned for him to follow her. She dashed into the kitchen, grabbed a glass from the cupboard, filled it with tap water, and then rushed back into the family room.
Handing him the glass, she said breathlessly, “Here.”
Taking it from her hand, he brought it to his lips, took a small sip, and set it down on the coffee table.
“You’re all better,” she said. “It’s amazing what a sip of water can do.”
The features on his face turned hard as granite. “You’re such a sarcastic bitch.” His tone was sharp as a knife.
Confusion quickly morphed into fear when Ashley saw the madness and evil in Jared’s eyes.
“Why so speechless, Ashley?”
A smart retort burned on her lips, but she gritted her teeth and held it back.
“You think you’re morally superior to everyone, but you’re not. You’re nothing but a pathetic fucking snitch.”
Her mind was racing, trying to figure out how to get away from him. “I don’t even know you. I’m not sure why you have a problem with me, but I’m sorry if I’ve ever offended you. If I did, it was unintentional.”
“But you do know me. How soon you forgot,” he whispered in a calm, seductive voice.
Sharp, icy-cold shivers ran up and down her spine.He’s the caller. Holy shit. I have to get away from him.
“Did I meet you in Denver?” she asked, calculating how long it would take her to reach the back door and run out before he stopped her.
Spit flew from his mouth as he spoke. “You used to act so fucking nice to me, to my sister—hell, to all of us. But you were nothing but a fucking backstabber. My mother thought you were so sweet, but you tricked us all. You destroyed my family, you cunt!”
Holy shit! He’s Jeffrey’s son, Tanner.The realization was a real jolt, like fireworks exploding in her brain.But he looks different … His name is Jared.
