Chapter Fifty Six
“Stand up, you idiot,” I tell Buzz when I find him crouched down behind a parked car. “I’ve been walking up and down the street for the past five minutes trying to find you.”
“Good. That’s the whole point of being undercover. I’m glad I decided to wear the camouflage after all.”
I laugh. “You’re wearing army pants. Do you even know how camouflage works?”
“Of course I do. Why do you think I’m hiding behind a green car?”
“Stand up before somebody calls the cops. You look like a total creeper.”
“Did you bring the supplies?” he asks, ignoring me. I hold out the coffee. “Thanks, brother. What about the snacks?”
“I told you I wasn’t going to bring food.”
“Why not? I’m on a stake out. I could be here all night.”
“Then it’s your own fault if you go hungry. You should just go and talk to her.”
“Gideon could be inside.”
“You could be inside if you weren’t so stubborn.”
He smirks. “As much as I would love to, I’m banned, remember?”
“You’re a moron.”
“Hey! Are you here to support me or insult me?”
“A bit of both.”
"Quick, get down." He grabs my arm and pulls me to the ground. “Somebody’s there.”
“Great, now the neighbors are going to report two creepy men to the cops.”
He lets go of my arm. “Oh, it’s only Sophia.”
My ears prick up at the mention of her name. “Sophia’s home?”
“No, I just lied about it for no reason.” He raises his eyebrow. “Yes, she’s home. Bet you wish you’d brought snacks now, don’t you?”
“Have you seen anyone else?” I ask.
“No, only Lori and Sophia so far.”
Good. “What’s in your pocket?” I ask, eyeing the bulge.
“Binoculars.” He pulls them out and offers them to me.
“No thanks.”
He shrugs and uses his T-shirt to polish the lenses. “Lori walked by the window about five minutes ago reading a book. She’s probably passing the time until Shmideon shows up.”
I laugh. “Schmideon? Is that the best you can come up with?”
“Yeah. I was trying to think of an adjective beginning with g but the only one I could think of was gigantic and after our conversation earlier, I definitely don’t want to imagine any part of him being gigantic.”
“Okay then, what about gentle?”
“No.”
“Generous?”
“This isn’t helping.”
“Glorious.”
“Dude, stop it.”
“Gargantuan.”
“Okay, you can leave now.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ll stop.”
He shoves the binoculars back in his pocket then slowly gets to his feet. “Jesus, Mason, stand up. You look like a total creeper.” I laugh and do as he says. He gestures to my T-shirt and sweat pants. "You need to cover up better next time. At least wear some of your fancy sunglasses.”
"Next time? There won't be a next time."
"There could be.”
"No, there couldn’t. I’d call the cops myself.”
His eyes widen. “Oh, shit.”
“What?” I ask.
“Sophia’s taking her clothes off.”
My eyes shoot to her window and everything turns to slow motion as she pulls her shirt up and over her head. I know I should look away but my greedy eyes are glued to her. My whole body comes alive at the sight of her wearing nothing but a bra underneath.
“Nice rack,” Buzz says, reminding me that I’m not alone.
"Look away," I tell him, refusing to take my own advice.
"At least let me wait until she takes off her jeans.”
“Look away or I’ll cut your eyeballs out.”
He laughs. “Jesus, you get so protective over her.”
I finally manage to tear my eyes away, mostly to check that Buzz has stopped watching. “We need to leave. This isn’t right.”
He nods then glances back at the window. “Are you sure? She’s totally naked now.”
My eyes dart back to the window. “You’re a dick,” I tell him when nobody’s there.
“You got your hopes up, didn’t you? Pervert.”
“Says the guy who brought binoculars?”
“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail,” he tells me with a smug look on his face.
“I’m sure the cops would love that little saying.”
We both jump when my cell starts to ring. “Shhhh! I can’t believe you didn’t silence your phone before you came. What a rookie.”
“Sorry. I’m not familiar with the rules of stalking.” I quickly pull it out of my pocket and check the caller ID. I stand up a little straighter. “It’s Sophia.”
Buzz grins. “I didn’t even know you had her number, you sly fox. What else have you been keeping from me?”
I tell him to be quiet before answering. “Hello?”
“Um, hey, it’s me.”
It’s me. I like the familiarity of those two little words. I could get used to them. “How are you?” I ask.
“I’m okay. I was just wondering if you still have paparazzi following you.”
“No, I don’t think so. They’ve probably moved on to their next victim. Why?”
“I think there might be some outside my house.”
I immediately duck down, taking Buzz with me. “You think there are paparazzi outside your house?” I ask, to keep him in the loop.
“Yes. One of my neighbors just called to say there are some guys hanging about on the street. I looked outside and saw two men standing next to a parked car. They had their backs to me but I think one of them had a camera in his hand.”
Buzz’s binoculars. “Okay well don’t worry. It won’t be paparazzi. They don’t know where you live. They don’t even know who you are.”
“Well maybe they’ve found out,” she says, sounding worried.
“I doubt it.”
“Do you think I should call the cops?”
“No! No, don’t call the cops.” I shake my head at Buzz. “Can you see them now?”
“Hang on, I’ll look.” I hear her footsteps and then, “No, they’re gone. The parked car is still there.”
“See, it’s probably nothing. I can send Charlie round to check, if it would make you feel better. He knows most of the paparazzi.”
“You’d do that?”
“Of course I would.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you home alone?” I ask.
“No, Lori’s here too.”
“Good. Are you going out anywhere or expecting guests?”
“No, we’re having a quiet night in.”
“Okay. Well I don’t think you need to worry but maybe you should close your blinds, just in case.” And so that we can leave without being seen.
“Yeah, I will. Thanks, Mason.”
“It’s fine. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“It’s not your fault.”
Yes, it is. “Well, I should go.”
“Oh, yeah, okay. Sorry if I interrupted your evening.”
“No, you didn’t. I’m just hanging out with Buzz. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“Any time.”
The line goes dead before I can tell her goodbye. Buzz laughs then tries to imitate me. “Call me if you need anything. What are you hoping she needs?”
“Shut up,” I tell him. “She’s spooked. She saw us and wanted to call the cops. Your stupid plan almost got us caught.” I slowly stand up and peek through the window of the parked car. Sophia’s blinds are now closed. “Come on, we need to leave before somebody actually does report us.”
“Did she mention Lori?” Buzz asks as he falls into step beside me.
“No, but I could hear her screwing Gideon in the background.” I roll my eyes when he looks like he’s just been punched in the gut. “I’m joking. They’re home alone and not expecting company.”
“That’s what she told you.”
“And I believe her.” We walk in silence until we reach my car two blocks down.
“It’s not going to magically open,” Buzz says after we stand there for a few seconds. Even though I can hear him making noises, my brain doesn’t process any of the words. The only thing I can think about is Sophia in her bra. Her red, lacy bra.
“Dude, I know you’re used to Charlie opening the door for you but I’m sure as shit not going to do it.” I shake my head, breaking free of the trance I was in. I unlock the doors and climb inside. “You were thinking of her rack, weren’t you?” Buzz asks as I pull away from the curb. I turn the radio up to drown out the sound of his laughter.