Joshua

Since the moment we touched down at the New Orleans Metropolitan Airport, I’ve been texting Molly. Tension builds in me every second she doesn’t reply.

She always answers me, and our last exchange was good, not heated or angry. I can’t help feeling like something is wrong.

“If you grip that phone any harder, you’re going to break it.” Dean is beside me in the cab, his keen eyes studying my behavior like always.

Forcing a chuckle, I relax my grip. “I didn’t even realize.”

“Don’t try lying to me. What’s going on? No word from Molly?”

My chin drops, and I’m facing a decision. How much to tell my cousin, and how much to keep to myself. If Molly is in real danger, I’m going to need some help navigating this city.

“I guess I’ll go with you to Roland’s place for now. I’ll see if I can get a hotel room somewhere else.”

“You sure will.” Dean’s eyebrow arches. “Last thing I need is you cock-blocking me on my sex holiday.”

“Is that what this is?” I do my best to play along. “Remember the motto.”

“You don’t have to educate a gay man about safe sex. I just hope you’re being careful.”

I look out the window.

“That’s what I thought. This is more than just Molly visiting her sister. You two had a fight.”

“We didn’t have a fight.”

“So why the need for the romantic gesture? What did you do?”

My jaw clenches tighter, and I swallow the growl rising in my throat. “This is not a romantic gesture. I told you, I came here to talk to her.”

“But she won’t answer your texts.”

She always did before… Choosing my words, I try to give him something that will satisfy him and make him cool it with the bloodhound routine.

“Molly’s here on business… She’s working on a project. It’s something I don’t want her to do—”

“Is she a spy?”

“No.”

“A hacker?”

“No.” My voice grows louder with every question.

“A high-class hooker? She’s sexy enough. Have you seen that show The Girlfriend Experience? You’d never expect these pretty college students to do what they do. It’s wild.”

“What the fuck? No!” A glance forward and I see our driver is trying not to laugh. “Would you knock it off?”

“How can I? You’re clearly upset by whatever’s going on, and you’ve never been this cagey a day in your life.”

“I’ve changed my mind. I’m not getting out at Roland’s. Let’s stick to our original plan. Don’t tell him either of us are here. You came by yourself.”

He glances out the window and makes a pouty face. “Lying really gets a relationship off on the wrong foot.”

“Are you starting a relationship with this guy?”

“A boy can dream…”

I stay back as my cousin steps out into the drizzle. He pulls a metallic purple carry-on behind him and does a little wave before dashing up the narrow sidewalk into the vintage duplex. I’ve only been here once after the wedding, but I know this old, restored house is really nice.

“I guess…” I think about what I know at this point. “Take me to Mother’s on Poydras.”

Molly said she was going to eat at that restaurant in one of our conversations. She said she could walk to it. Sitting back and pinching my lips between my fingers, I can only hope there aren’t too many hotels within walking distance.

I’m fucking wrong as I can be. Standing on the corner in front of the red-brick dive restaurant, I’m surrounded by mirrored-glass high-rises and boutique hotels.

“Fuck,” I growl, taking out my phone and trying again.

I start walking slowly in the direction of the river, waiting… I walk a few blocks, crossing a wide, four lane highway with a grassy median. I make it all the way to the Riverwalk mall, and nothing.

No answer.

The truth is, I’m really worried. It’s true I only came here to talk, but I didn’t expect her not to answer my texts. Heck, it’s only been a day since we last communicated.

Taking a chance, I call her. It rings and rings, but then her voicemail picks up. Standing on the top of the levee, I pinch the bridge of my nose and decide to just lay it out there.

“Hey, it’s me. Look, I know you’re possibly not going to like this, but I’m here. In New Orleans. Please give me a call. I just wanted to see you, talk to you. I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to do… Just… Just see me, Molly. Text me where you’re staying.”

I end the call and walk to one of the green benches facing the river. I lean forward and prop my arms on my thighs, my phone in my hands, and I stare at the face waiting.

Minutes pass. A skinny white bird picks its way carefully through the tall grasses on long legs. A riverboat with a large red paddle wheel and River Queen painted on the side drifts past. A long barge drifts past. Somewhere in the distance, I hear the sound of a brass band.

It’s hot. Okay, it’s probably not as hot as it normally gets in this city, but the rain has passed and the sun is bearing down on me. The air is thick, and I’m uncomfortable.

I’m sticky and worried and sick of sitting here with my phone in my hand.

“Oh, fuck it.” I scroll through my contacts until I see Lara’s name.

If Molly is avoiding my calls, she’s mad I’m here. In that case it won’t make much difference if I contact Lara and get some help. Alternatively, if she’s in trouble, the longer I wait, the worse her situation could get.

That thought drives my finger forward, and I quickly hit the call button.