Chapter Twelve
Staring at the flat tire, Isla groaned. “I so don’t need this,” she said under her breath. Looking around, she saw Keith’s car and was just about ready to walk over there when her next-door neighbor started to come over. Faith’s two daughters ran up to Isla and hugged her.
“Did you make the lemonade?” Carly asked.
“Daddy finished our lemonade stand and we’re going with mommy to get some decorations for it,” Letty gushed.
“That’s great. I’ll make the lemonade tonight, so you’ll have it ready for tomorrow morning when you open for business,” Isla said, waving at Faith as she approached them.
“What’s going on there?” Faith asked, pointing at the flat tire.
“I have no idea. I must’ve picked up a nail or something. This is such a drag. I really don’t want to fix a tire. Gah! I better go back inside and change out of these clothes.” Isla glanced over again at Keith’s car.
Keith opened the door and got out. “You having a problem?” he asked as he walked toward her.
“Don’t bother him. Colt can fix it for you. He’s still at home, so I’ll just run over and get him,” Faith said.
“That’s okay. Keith can do it. You don’t have to bother Colt.”
“Nonsense. After all the things you do for the girls, he’d be more than happy to help.” Faith looked at Carly. “Go get your dad and tell him that Isla has a flat tire.” Carly skipped away.
“Thanks. I hope this isn’t an omen for having ‘one of those days.’” Isla looked at Keith. “I have a flat tire, but my neighbor’s going to change it.”
“Are you sure? I can do it.”
“My husband’s on his way,” Faith said before Isla could reply.
“So you don’t need me?”
Smiling, Isla shook her head. “Colt’s going to take care of it. Thanks for the offer.” She watched the guard amble back to the car then looked at Faith. “What are you and the girls up to today?”
“We’re going to the store to buy some embellishments for the lemonade stand. Colt finished it up yesterday, and the girls are so excited to get started with their summer business. Where are you headed off to?”
“We’re rehearsing today. I was hoping to get to the gym for an hour before heading over to the venue, but I guess that’s not gonna happen.”
“It shouldn’t take too long to change a tire. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there have been different cars parked in front of your house like all night. I called the sheriff’s department about it, and they sent out a deputy, but they never followed through in telling me what was up. I still notice cars in front of your house. I don’t want to freak you out or anything, but have you noticed it too?”
Isla smiled. “I guess I should’ve said something to you. It never occurred to me that neighbors would be paying any attention, but I hired a security company to watch over me.”
Faith’s eyes widened. “Really? It never dawned on me that they would be bodyguards. I guess that makes sense when you’re a public figure. Did you have them in LA?”
“No. As bizarre as this sounds, I never felt like I needed to have any in LA. And even though Alina is a small town, I’m feeling very vulnerable here. I’ve been getting some wacko fan mail, so I just feel safer having somebody watch over me. Goes with the territory, I suppose. It seems that the more people who know about us, the more exposed I feel. I guess in time I’ll get used to it though.”
Letty tugged at the hem of her mother’s shirt. “Mommy, when are we gonna go?”
Faith laughed and grasped her daughter’s hands. “I guess we better get a move on it before she breaks a blood vessel.”
Isla nodded. “I can’t wait to see what you and Carly do to your lemonade stand. I bet you get a ton of cool stuff today with your mom.” Shifting her eyes back to Faith’s, she smiled. “Have fun shopping. I’ll be by in the morning with the lemonade.”
Carly ran up to her mom and pulled on her hand. “Come on, Mom. We gotta go.”
Colt came up to Faith and wrapped his arm around her waist, kissing her cheek. He looked over at Isla. “Heard you have a flat tire.”
Pointing at the front driver’s side, Isla rolled her eyes. “Yeah. That’s what greeted me this morning.”
“You got a spare?” he asked.
“I do.”
“We’re gonna head out,” Faith said.
Colt reached in his pocket. “Do you need my credit card?”
“I have our joint card. See you later.” She walked over and gave her husband a quick peck on the lips, waved at Isla, and walked over to their SUV in the driveway. Letty and Carly hugged their dad quickly, yelled their goodbyes to Isla, and ran up to the car.
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you’re doing this for me,” Isla said.
“No problem.” Colt rolled the spare tire over to the front of the car and went down on his knees. “You didn’t pick up a nail. Someone slashed your tire.”
A cold chill wrapped around her as shivers ran up her spine. “You mean this was done on purpose?”
“Yeah. Looks like it was slashed by maybe a razor blade or a penknife. I wonder if any of the other neighbors had their tires slashed. Didn’t have your car in your garage like me?”
“No, I was moving some of my belongings around and cleaning things out, so my garage is full of stuff that needs to go to charity. The truck’s supposed to come by tomorrow morning to pick it up.”
“That’s bad luck. I should have it fixed in no time.”
As he put on the spare tire, her thoughts were spinning a thousand miles a minute. Whoever did this has been watching me. They knew Sangre was in the house with me last night.
“When’s your next show? Faith and I want to see you perform.”
“Next Saturday. I’ll let you know.”
“Don’t let this upset you. Got a couple of kids in the neighborhood who are a pain in the butt,” he said, standing up. “Your tire is ruined. I can take it and throw it in the dumpster at my work. You should get a new one. You can’t drive too much on a spare.”
“Thanks a lot for all your help. I’ll deal with getting a new tire tomorrow. I have a full day of rehearsal and recording, so I better get going. What’s your favorite type of cookie?”
“I don’t really eat cookies.”
“Are you a beer drinker?”
Nodding, he smiled. “I like my Coors, but you don’t have to get me anything. I’m just happy I could help you out.”
“I’ll give you two tickets to our next show and buy you both a round of drinks. Deal?”
“Sounds good. Faith will be excited because we don’t get out very much. It’s hard with the two kids.”
“If you ever need a babysitter, just give me a call. If it works, I’d be more than happy to stay with Letty and Carly. They’re great kids.”
“Thanks. I’ll let Faith know about your offer of babysitting. We may take you up on it sooner than you think. I better get going. See you.”
Isla slid into the driver’s seat and pulled away from the curb. After a quick glance in the rearview mirror, she saw Keith driving behind her and relaxed. It probably was those two boys down the street who did this. She made a mental note to ask a few of her neighbors who left their cars parked on the street or the driveway if their tires had been slashed.
Despite her tire incident, Isla still felt that since she’d employed Sangre’s security services everything seemed to have stopped. She smiled like a schoolgirl when she thought of Sangre. There was some intense, crazy ass connection going on between us last night. A flush of heat spread through her when she remembered how he’d looked at her after she’d changed into her nightshirt. She had no idea that he’d be in her bedroom, otherwise she would’ve put on a robe before she came out. His eyes almost popped out of his head … and he definitely had a hard-on. She giggled and turned on the radio, raising the volume when her favorite White Snake song, “Here We Go Again,” came on.
Singing at the top of her lungs, she swung into the parking lot of the Fitness Gallery and stayed in the car until the song was over. Keith pulled in behind her, and she went up to his car.
“It’s totally cool if you don’t come inside because I know most of the people who work here. I should be about forty minutes or so if you wanna grab yourself a cup of coffee and come back.”
He picked up a thermos. “I’m good. I gotta check with Sangre about not going in.”
“Really, it’s fine.”
Keith shook his head. “Even so, I still gotta run this by the boss.”
“Well, I’ll give him a quick call then.” Isla pulled out her phone.
“How are you?” she asked.
“Good. You?”
“Great. I’m at the gym for about forty minutes and then heading over to The Rear End for rehearsal. I just told Keith that he doesn’t need to come inside the gym with me because I know a ton of people in there and feel totally comfortable and safe. Can you tell him to chill until I come out?”
“Let me speak to Keith.” Isla passed the phone to him and then leaned against the car, straining her ears to hear their conversation. Keith had rolled the window practically all the way up, and since he was a low talker anyway, she couldn’t really hear what he was saying. She did catch a few phrases, and they all related to her flat tire. Keith rolled the window down and handed her the phone.
“Sangre?”
“Keith said you had a flat tire?”
“Yeah. It turns out that some brats in the neighborhood slashed the tire. There’re a couple of boys who live down the street from me, and they can be a pain in the ass.”
“I didn’t hear anything last night. Dammit.”
“Relax. It’s not your fault. My neighbor fixed it, and all’s good. I’m going in tomorrow to get a new one.”
“Was your neighbor’s tire slashed?”
“No. Their cars were in the garage.”
“Did you talk to any neighbors who parked on the street?”
Looking at the time, she tapped her foot on the asphalt. “Not yet. I was going to when I got home. I really have to go. I’m meeting the guys in an hour, and I want to work out before then.”
“So, you don’t really know if anyone else had their tires slashed, you’re just assuming. I don’t like it. Keith needs to go inside with you.”
She groaned. “I need privacy, okay? I feel completely safe in there. I’m just going to work on the machines for twenty minutes and jump on the treadmill. No one followed us here. I’m sure you already asked Keith that.”
“I did.”
“Then …? It’s all good. Tell him to be right in front in forty minutes. You can call him on his phone. I have to go, okay? I’ll see you later tonight.”
“I have club business tonight, so Jeff’s on the schedule.”
Disappointment weighed her down. “Oh. When will I see you?” Don’t sound desperate.
“I’m not sure, but I’ll call you. I’m calling Keith now.”
As she put her phone into her tote, she heard Keith’s ringing, and she walked away.
“Hey,” Scott said as she entered.
“How’s it going?” she answered, stopping at the front desk to swipe her card.
“Not too shabby. Going for a swim today?”
“I don’t have the time. Just a quick workout,” Isla replied as she walked into the machine area. Usually she incorporated a swim into her routine, loving the calming effects of the water. If her workout was too strenuous, she’d just float on her back and let the water soothe and cradle her. If it hadn’t been for those damn kids, I’d be able to get a swim in. And what’s with Sangre? I thought for sure he’d be over tonight. In fact, she’d been looking forward to it. Probably has a date with that blonde. Who cares? I don’t. But she did, and that made her mad at herself and at him.
She went over to one of the elliptical machines and opened her duffel bag, taking out a towel, water bottle, and MP3 player loaded with metal and hard rock songs. After putting in the ear buds, she stepped onto the machine, turned it on, and started off at a slow pace to warm up. Lost in Anthrax’s “Welcome to the Madhouse,” a hand gripping her bicep startled her, making her stumble and lunge forward. She slowed the machine down and turned her head sideways. A man around her age, with killer abs and muscular legs and arms, gave her a wide, toothy grin. Her belly tightened as she pulled her arm away then wiped her face with her towel.
“What the hell? You know better than to do that when someone’s on a machine,” she said, her voice laced with irritation. The last person she wanted to run into at the gym was Devin, and here he was, as always, grinning at her like a damn Cheshire cat.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to talk to you before you rushed out of here. I’m starting my workout, and after you finish yours, you’re history.” He laughed.
“I don’t have much time to talk. I’ve already had to cut mine short this morning. What do you want?” She wished he’d go away. He seemed to be at the gym every time she was—no matter if it was morning, afternoon, or night. Does he live at this damn place? Doesn’t he have a damn job?
“I have an extra ticket for a play this Thursday night. I was wondering if you wanted to go. We could have dinner before.”
“I can’t. I told you I have a boyfriend, and he wouldn’t be too happy about me going out without him.” Why the hell can’t he catch on that I’m not interested in him?
Devin stared at her. “Is it that one guy with the long brown hair who’s picked you up a few times?”
“You’ve asked me that before, and the answer is the same. Yes, it’s him.” Inserting one of her ear buds, she turned away. “I need to finish my workout.”
“I thought you told me you like theater.”
“I do, but it just isn’t going to happen. I don’t mean to be rude, but I only have limited time here.” She put the other earphone in and cranked up the music. In her peripheral vision, she saw him still standing there scowling with his arms crossed. Unease filled her as she turned up the speed. After several minutes he stalked away, and she breathed a sigh of relief. The guy just didn’t catch on. Ever since she’d joined Fitness Gallery, he’d been trying to get her to go out with him. There were a lot of nice, available women who exercised at the gym, and she’d even pointed out several to him, but he seemed hell bent on going out only with her. It had become annoying, and she’d decided if he didn’t stop, she’d have to talk with the manager about it. Grabbing her arm while she was on a moving machine was stupid as hell, and she could’ve been seriously injured.
A half hour later, she was guzzling down water as she waited for her body to cool down. Ignoring Devin, she rushed off to the locker room, took a quick shower, changed, and was in the car hurrying to The Rear End to meet the band. Before getting out, she pulled down the visor, swiped a pink gloss over her lips, and smiled. “Thank God for waterproof makeup,” she muttered as she opened the door and got out.
When she walked in the building, she noticed Benz leaning against the stage, cigarette hanging from his lips, and talking to a woman. Arsen gave her a high five, Jac jerked his head, and Gage jumped off the stage and came over to her.
“Jim said we can practice until three o’clock,” Gage said.
Looking over his shoulder, she quirked her lips. “Who’s Benz talking to?”
He looked behind him then shrugged. “Some chick that was here when we arrived. How’s the new song coming?”
“Almost done. I think you’re going to love it.” She turned toward the bar and asked the bartender for a ginger ale with lots of ice.
“Hey, babe.” Benz’s deep voice washed over Isla, surrounding her with the scent of cigarettes, whiskey, and pine.
“Hi.” She picked up her glass and put the straw in her mouth.
“You still pissed at me?” he asked, nuzzling her neck.
She put her drink on the counter. “As I remember it, you were the one mad at me and stormed out of the house.”
Benz pushed her hair away from her neck with his nose. “That’s ’cause you didn’t want to fuck. It’s been too long, baby. I’ve got needs and you do too. Why the hell are you putting us in the deep freeze?”
“I’ve been dealing with a lot of things, okay?” She inched away from him. “I just told Gage that I’ve finished the new song. I think it’s amazing, and I’m sure you’ll think so, too.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Great news. Wow, I can see why that kept you busy. Tell me one thing, songbird. How in the fuck do you have time to hang with your asshole friend and write the goddamn song, but you have no time for your boyfriend? How the fuck does that work, Isla? I really want to know.” He kicked over one of the chairs.
“Chill, dude,” Gage said.
“Stay the fuck outta this!” Benz pointed his finger at the rhythm guitarist.
“Is there a problem?” the owner asked, coming around the bar.
Benz swatted the air with his hand. “Ask Ms. Fucking Songwriter!”
Jim bent over and picked up the chair. “Don’t break shit in my place, or your asses are outta here.”
“Sorry,” Isla said.
Jim fixed his gaze on Benz. “Why’re you apologizing? I wasn’t talking to you.”
Benz jerked his head back and met the owner’s stare. Isla cleared her throat. “We better get rehearsing.” She tugged on his sleeve. “Come on. All’s good.” Benz reluctantly let her pull him away, but he kept looking back at Jim, who maintained his stance.
“Don’t fuckin’ blow this, dude. We need to get the feel of the acoustics for our upcoming show,” Arsen said.
Benz yanked his arm out of Isla’s grasp. “Talk to her about all this. You never give her shit, and it’s her fuckin’ fault most of the time.”
His words were like kerosene to an already burning fire in her. Benz never took responsibility for anything he ever did, even when he cheated on her. He had told her he was sorry when she’d caught him, but somehow, he’d managed to twist it around, making it her fault that she’d been so busy and hadn’t given him the attention he needed as a man.
“That’s not true,” Gage said.
Benz brushed past him and jumped up on stage. “I don’t listen to a fucking thing you say. I swear you’ve got the hots for my girl. You always take her side.”
The muscle in Gage’s jaw twitched. “I don’t take anyone’s side. You’re usually out of line and way out there. If someone has to take responsibility for something, we can count on it not being you.”
Benz threw his drumsticks at Gage and rushed over to the edge of the stage. “You want your ass thrown out of the band, dipshit? Iris Blue is my band. Believe me, I can find a rhythm guitarist just like that.” He snapped his fingers.
“Benz, stop it,” Isla said, holding her anger at bay. If they were alone, she’d let him have it good, but she didn’t want things to escalate beyond repair with the band.
Pointing his finger at her, he glowered. “You shut the fuck up!”
Jac strummed his bass. “Forget the damn drama and let’s get going. I have somewhere to be at three.”
Benz shook his head. “What the fuck do you have to do in this stupid cow-town?”
“Raise it up a bit,” Jac said to the sound man. He played the intro to “Let There Be Rock” by AC/DC and gave the thumbs up to the engineer. “You’re up.” He pointed to Arsen then looked at Benz, who stood staring at him, the microphone dangling from his hand. “By the way, it’s none of your damn business what I do after rehearsal. Let’s just get outta high school and get shit done.”
Isla bit her inner cheek to keep from laughing. Jac didn’t say much, but when he did, he nailed it. She jumped up on stage and took the mike from Benz then walked over to the stand. While she was adjusting it, waiting for her turn for sound check, she saw the woman who was talking with Benz when she came in approach the stage.
“Hi, Isla. I’m excited to see you guys rehearse.”
She looked at her blankly. “Do I know you?”
Annoyance etched the woman’s face. “Lexi Strobe. Remember we bumped into each other at the festival downtown?”
Oh yeah. The bitch from high school. What the hell’s she doing here? “Sure. Up on stage, the lights can be blinding. What’re you doing here?”
“Benz invited me.”
More damn kerosene on the fire. “I didn’t know you knew anyone in the band besides me.”
“I met them at the festival, and then ran into Benz and Arsen at Beta the other night. You know … that nightclub on Fourth and Elm. I was surprised you weren’t with Benz.”
“I was busy working. I write most of the lyrics for the songs. Don’t you have a job or something?”
She blinked. “Of course, I do. I just took the day off to come to the rehearsal.” Her mouth turned downward. “Don’t you want me here?”
“We normally have closed rehearsals, but it’s cool with me as long as everyone else in the band is down with it.”
“They are.” Benz’s voice had a hard edge to it.
She glanced over her shoulder and smiled sweetly at him. “Then all’s good.”
They took a break after a couple of hours, and Lexi made a beeline to Benz, who put his arm around her and showed her his drum kit. Jac came over to Isla. “He’s an asshole. You know this, so don’t let him get you down.”
“I’m not, but thanks.” Isla watched Jac saunter off, his head dipped down, cell phone in hand. The fact that he’d come over made her feel better. Jac was the one to get the least involved in all the drama between Benz and herself. Before they’d started dating, they had a whole lot less tension and antics, but after Parker had dumped her, citing the band as the reason, she’d been feeling so lonely and realized that no man would understand the dynamics of Iris Blue or the commitment it took to have a viable career in indie music. Benz had caught her in that weak moment in her life; she’d started a relationship with him, and it’d been an emotional roller coaster ever since.
Glancing back at Lexi and Benz, the anger she’d been fighting most of the day bubbled when she saw Lexi pressed close against his side. It wasn’t so much that she was pissed because she was madly in love with him, because she wasn’t, it was more a blow to her pride—especially since the woman was the one who’d made some of her time at Jefferson miserable.
She turned back around and pulled out her phone to call Madison. Whenever she needed picking up, Madison, with her cynical view about women and men, always came to the rescue.
“I was just thinking about you,” Madison said. “I wanted to know if you were up for dinner tonight.”
“I can’t. I’m at rehearsal, and then I have to go to the studio to record a couple of songs. Maybe tomorrow.”
“That won’t work for me. My cousin’s going through a crisis with her man again. I promised to listen again.”
Isla chuckled. “Speaking of men who keep making us go through shit again and again, you won’t believe who Benz is flirting up a storm with.”
“Why the hell is he flirting at all?”
“He’s an asshole, remember?”
“Isla you can do so much better. Who’s the bitch?”
“Lexi Strobe.”
“Ugh … the man’s an asshole and an idiot. He’s got you, and he’s dissing you right now to play up to Lexi Strobe? I bet she’s focused on him because you guys are dating.”
“Well, sorta dating right now. He’s so mad at me because I wouldn’t fuck him a few nights ago, so I know he’s trying to teach me a lesson. I guess I can kinda understand how he feels. I mean, I haven’t been the best girlfriend to him for the past few weeks.” Not since Sangre and I resumed our friendship. She didn’t know what the deal was, but she had no interest in sleeping with Benz, and instead of yearning for him or fantasizing about them together, Sangre was the one who filled her thoughts. But what would be the point even if we started something? I’m going back to LA soon. Maybe we could be friends with benefits? Would I like that?
“Isla? Are you still there?” Madison’s voice broke through her thoughts.
“I’m here. Sorry, I was just thinking about things. What were you saying?”
“I said Lexi’s always after everyone’s boyfriend. If you weren’t with Benz she wouldn’t even be there.”
“You’re right. I’d forgotten that about her. The other annoying thing is that she acts like we were best friends in high school. It’s like she wants to be my buddy now. It’s weird. Something’s wrong with her. Seriously.”
Madison sniggered. “Want to know another thing that’s real weird? She’s now the lead in “Mousetrap.” It’s playing at the Globe Theater. Sharla Davidson was the lead, but now that she’s dead—enter Lexi.”
Icy tingles skated across her skin. “Lexi was Sharla’s understudy? That’s not weird, that’s just fuckin’ freaky.”
“I know, right? And …” Madison paused for dramatic effect.
“What?”
“She told everyone that she had the vibe she’d end up being the lead. She was so pissed when she didn’t get the lead that she bad-mouthed poor Sharla all around the theater circuit. She’s an evil person and would do anything to get ahead. She hasn’t changed one iota from the bitch she was in high school, and she was so damn jealous of you when you’d landed all the leads. I can guarantee your success is eating her alive right now.”
When Isla looked over her shoulder again and saw Benz hugging her gently, Lexi’s gaze fixed on her. Isla shuddered: Lexi’s eyes were cold, calculating, and hard. She faced the bar again. “Maybe she wants my life—you know … Benz … Iris Blue—all of it.”
“This is a Twilight Zone episode,” Madison said. When they were younger, they’d devour marathons of the show on the television.
Isla chuckled. “Totally. Oh, she can have my dad and my fucked-up family.” Madison burst out laughing, which made Isla laugh hard. Soon Isla was sputtering and choking while she dabbed the tears from her eyes.
A warm arm snaked around her. “Who’re you talking to?” Benz asked as he placed a kiss on her head.
His action was the antidote to her laughing, and she pushed him away. “Madison.”
“It’s Benz right? Is the bitch with him?”
“Yes and no.”
“Where is she?”
“Not sure.”
“Baby, the break’s over,” Benz said in a low voice, his hand making circles on her back.
“I gotta go. I’ll call you later.” She hung up the phone and slid off the barstool.
“After recording, I want to take you out for a nice dinner. We can have some wine, talk, and be like we used to before stuff happened.”
“Stuff was you cheating on me. I’ll be beat after recording, so maybe you can take Lexi. She seems to have captured your attention.” Filter. Damn, why did I say that? She hated that the words slipped out of her mouth because she knew they’d make him satisfied. I sound so petty and jealous, just what he wants me to be. Ugh. I gotta have a break from him. Since he’s been here, my nerves have been in overdrive.
“I can’t help it if women find me attractive. You know I have to play the game for the fans, but you’re my number one. I like that it bothers you. I was starting to think you didn’t care about me anymore.” He ran his fingers up and down her arm.
“Benz?” Lexi said as she came over. “What’re you doing?”
Benz drew Isla close to him, and she felt him stiffen. “Talking to my girlfriend.” His voice dripped ice.
If looks could kill, Isla would be dead on the spot. No question about that. She’d never had a person give her such a scathing and evil look before. She smiled. “We need to get back to rehearsal.” She let Benz walk her to the stage but felt the daggers shooting from Lexi’s eyes with each step she took. As he helped her up, the loud slam of a door startled her. When she looked out from the platform, Lexi was gone. Even though satisfaction coursed through her, apprehension pricked at her insides—but for the time being, she pushed it away, picked up the microphone, and belted out the song.
* * *
The night had obliterated any lingering light when Isla came out of the recording studio. A cool wind from the mountains made her shiver and her skin pebble. A sprinkling of shimmering stars above illuminated the dark, moonless sky. She tugged her cardigan tighter and glanced around the small parking lot in front of the studio; her car was the only one there. Where the hell is the security? She rushed over to her car and slid in quickly, locking all the windows and doors. She started the engine and pulled onto the two-lane highway. As she approached Alina, silhouettes of cacti, brush, and rock formations turned into moving shadows and shapes, which made her insides twist and churn. There wasn’t a car in sight, and she kept her gaze fixed on the road ahead, occasionally looking at the rearview mirror to make sure no one was following her.
When Isla saw the lights of the town, she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Relaxing her fingers a bit, she loosened her death-like grip on the steering wheel, shaking out one hand and then the other to get the blood flowing again. Isla took out her phone to call Sangre and ask where the hell the security was but cursed when she saw her battery was dead. She cursed even louder when she realized she’d forgotten to take out the charger from her other purse before she’d left that morning.
“I’ll just stop in one of the restaurants and use their phone,” she said out loud as she turned down Fifth Avenue. All of a sudden, a loud clanging sound echoed around her. Is that my car? She rolled down the window, and the sound was almost deafening. She stopped the car. No sound. She started it up again, and the noise began. “Dammit! This has been such a shitty day. First the flat tire and now this. Shit!” She pounded the steering wheel. If she could just get to Main Street, there’d be a lot of places still open, and she’d be okay.
The car bucked as she pressed her foot all the way down on the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle kept slowing down. It was like the gas wasn’t getting to the engine. She glanced at the gas gauge, and it showed she had nearly half a tank full. “What the hell’s wrong?” Then the car died. “Fuck!” Isla switched the key and all she heard were clicking and whirring sounds, but the engine didn’t start. She waited a few minutes then tried again. Nothing. Looking around, she didn’t see any one. Where the hell is my bodyguard? Mark had been there during the rehearsal and when she’d gone into the studio. Who took the next shift? She picked up her dead phone and stared at it like that would make it magically power up. I can’t just stay in the car. Main Street is only a few blocks away. Sighing, she grabbed her tote and got out of the car.
The street was dark and deserted, the only light coming from sporadic streetlights that filtered through the overhanging branches of the trees on each side of the road. Isla moved quickly through the thin lights and shadows, her knuckles white from clutching the straps of her tote. Looking down the street, it appeared to just melt into the darkness. Isla picked up her pace and pushed onward, her soft footfalls absorbed by the pavement.
Then a gust of wind surged through the empty street, moaning like some horror movie opener. Trees creaked, bushes sighed, and cans and papers rumbled, bumping into walls and darkened corners. Isla bent her head down to avoid dust getting in her eyes, and then stopped to button up her cardigan. And that’s when she heard it above the wind’s groan: the clack of heels on the pavement behind her. Blood suddenly rushed to her head. She took a few steps then stopped, and the footsteps stopped as well. Swallowing hard, she walked faster and the steps matched her pace. Again, she stopped … Complete silence. No wind … No footfalls … Nothing but a deafening quiet.
With her body shaking, Isla started walking again, and even though everything inside her told her not to, she looked over her shoulder. Still nothing. No one—just eerie shadows from the trees crisscrossing over the sidewalk and grass. Fear ran through her. Did I imagine it? She didn’t think so. There was someone out there. She felt it. Her eyes darted around trying to make sense of the sinister menace lurking in the shadows, and she picked up her pace while continuously looking back. She began to run, sweat pouring down her back as she turned the corner.
Sissss. Suddenly, a loud hiss and her high-pitched scream shattered the pervasive silence. She whirled around and tears poured down her face as she saw a bus pull up to the curb beside her. Several people alit as she ran over to the bus.
“Where’re you going?” she said to the driver.
“The terminal on Main Street.”
Putting her foot on the step, she began to climb into the bus when something pulled her back. She cried out, and the driver threw her a puzzling look.
“You okay, miss?” he asked.
“Where’re you going?” a low voice said behind her.
She turned around and met the brown eyes of Jon. “What the hell are you doing? Leave me alone.”
“Are you coming on, lady?” Impatience wove through the bus driver’s voice.
“She’s not,” Jon said, pulling Isla away from the door.
“No!” She tried to break away from him, but his hands were like vices. “Please. No!” She watched the bus pull away, her heart sinking.
“What’s the matter with you? Sangre wouldn’t like it if I let you go on the bus.”
“Sangre? You’re the one who’s supposed to be watching me?” When he nodded, fear, anger, and relief blended together to make a volatile mixture. “Where the fuck have you been? You weren’t at the studio, and my car broke down a few blocks from here. I had to walk it alone in the dark. I’m not paying for that kind of service.” People milling on the streets and coming out of restaurants looked at her as if she was a lunatic, and she supposed she was acting like one by cursing and yelling on the sidewalk at a young man who looked like he’d just lost his best friend. But she didn’t give a damn. She’d been scared out of her wits, she was still pissed at Benz, and she was beyond exhausted. All she wanted was to go home and curl up under her comforter and forget about the day.
“I don’t know why you’re so mad. I’ve been following you the whole time.”
“You’re lying!”
For a second, his eyes flashed then they returned to normal. “I’m not.”
“Then why didn’t you help me when my car broke down?”
“I tried to, but you jumped out and ran away so fast.”
She knew what she saw; there wasn’t a car in sight on the street. He’s definitely lying. I know someone was out there. A cold chill spread over her. Why would Sangre have Jon on duty when I told him I didn’t want him? Ever. The guy gives me the creeps. Something’s wrong here.
“I can take you home. All the mechanic shops are closed, so you can deal with your car in the morning.”
There was no way she was getting in a car with him. Before she could answer, Carly and Letty came running up to her.
“Isla!” Carly shouted.
Startled, she just blinked at the two girls for a moment as nothing registered inside her head.
“We went to get hamburgers at Hamburger Hamlet. I got a cheeseburger. Did you go there too?” Letty asked.
“No, I didn’t. So, it was good?” Her stomach growled, and she realized that she hadn’t eaten since early that morning.
The girls rubbed their tummies and said, “Mmm.” She laughed and looked around wondering where Colt and Faith were. She saw them walking toward her.
“We better get going,” Jon said.
“Hi,” she said, waving to Colt and Faith. “Your girls said you’ve been out for burgers.”
“Yeah. I was so tired after shopping and decorating the lemonade stand that I told Colt the kitchen was closed tonight.” She leaned against her husband.
“I don’t blame you. Are you guys headed home right now?” Faith nodded. “Can I bum a ride with you? My car broke down a few blocks from here.”
“You’ve had a bad day with car trouble,” Colt said. “We’ll take you home.” “Sangre’s not going to like this,” Jon said in a low voice.
“These are my neighbors. It’s fine.” I’m definitely safer with them than with you, you lying wacko. “I’ll deal with Sangre.” I’m going to blast him! Without waiting for Jon to say another word, she grabbed each of the girls’ hands and walked away.
After saying her goodbyes, she went inside and locked the door. A real shitty day. She set the alarm then climbed the stairs to her bedroom. She couldn’t wait to wash off her makeup and put on her comfy pajamas. Her stomach growled, but she was so tired she didn’t even feel like making the trek to the kitchen to make a sandwich.
A few minutes later, she had her cell phone charging, the night lamp switched off, and the covers pulled back. Happy the day was finally over, she slipped between the sheets, tucked the comforter under her chin, closed her eyes, and welcomed the refuge of sleep.