I had no idea what a circus it would turn into, being out in public with Jonah.
Word spread quickly through social media when Jonah announced his resignation from his popular rock band, Locke, just a few weeks ago. He’s a free agent now, writing songs and recording alone in a nearby rented studio. He passed up a new contract worth millions in exchange for his freedom. But knowing how talented he is, not to mention how much money he has socked away in the bank already, I’m sure he’ll do fine on his own. Judging by the crowds that materialize wherever he shows up in public, his fans certainly haven’t forgotten him. If anything, he’s even more popular now that he’s “gone rogue.”
The weather’s mild today for late in November, but it’s still a little chilly, so I swapped my shorts for a pair of blue jeans to go with my sweatshirt. Shane makes me put on a jacket because this is The Windy City, after all. There’s bound to be wind coming off the lake. He’s wearing a jacket, too, although in his case, it’s mostly to conceal the gun holster strapped to his chest.
I’m sure Lia will be carrying, too, although I know I won’t see any sign of her handgun. Even though she’s Jonah’s girlfriend now, she’s still essentially his bodyguard, and she’s always armed when they’re out in public. She has to be. Most people are respectful of his privacy, but they have had some uncomfortable run-ins with overzealous fans who failed to respect Jonah’s personal space.
Since the weather is unseasonably nice, we decide to walk. Shane and I follow behind Lia and Jonah, the four of us strolling leisurely along The Magnificent Mile, heading toward the central shopping district in downtown Chicago. Shane has a tight hold on my hand as we maneuver through the crowded sidewalk foot traffic, dodging families with strollers and groups of exuberant teens.
Lia and Jonah walk ahead of us, and Lia points out a few landmarks to Jonah, who’s still getting to know his newly adopted city.
Jonah came to Chicago last month to get away from a crazy ex-girlfriend in L.A., and he ended up meeting the love of his life, giving up his record label, and making Chicago his new home. Right now, he and Lia are living in her two-bedroom apartment in our building. They’re exploring their options right now. They really need more space so Jonah can have his own private recording studio.
They make a striking couple. Jonah’s tall, with broad shoulders and a well-muscled torso. He looks hot in distressed jeans, a grungy graphic T-shirt, and black leather jacket. His dark, wavy hair is pulled up into a man bun – his signature look. Dark aviator sunglasses make him look like a real bad ass, but unfortunately they do little to conceal his identity. In contrast, Lia’s petite, blond, and gorgeous, not to mention tough as hell with her take-no-prisoners attitude.
Since Shane and I are walking a few yards behind them, we see all the double-takes and the gawkers who catch sight of Jonah as they pass him on the crowded sidewalk. Even though he recently dismantled his band, he’s still featured pretty heavily in social media. In fact, maybe even more so now that he’s seen as this unconventional performer who bucked L.A. and the status quo to go out on his own.
Jonah sightings still trend hotly, leading to the impromptu formation of crowds of squealing fans at the most unlikely places. It’s hard for the guy to go anywhere without drawing big crowds.
The first stop we make is at a big, well-known trendy department store on N. Michigan Avenue, and that turns out to be a huge mistake. It’s not long before images of the rock star light up Twitter and Instagram, and Jonah is soon mobbed by hysterical teenaged girls.
Shane can’t help laughing as Lia almost forcibly clears a path through the crowd and gets Jonah back outside. Shane and I run interference for a few minutes to give Lia and Jonah a head start.
Once we’re out of the store, Shane and I follow in the direction they took, and we wait for our rendez-vous instructions. Finally, we receive a text from Lia telling us to meet them at a small, hole-in-the-wall men’s clothing shop on a less-crowded side street.
“This looks like a good place,” I say when we reach the shop, eyeing the small window displays. It’s a tiny little shop showcasing distressed jeans, grunge-style graphic tees, baseball caps, and leather jackets. It’s perfect.
Shane holds the door for me, and I enter the narrow space. The store is so crammed full of tables holding merchandise that there’s barely room to move around. Tables are piled high with faded and ripped jeans and stacks of graphic T-shirts in every color and style imaginable. The walls are covered with displays of sweatshirts and jackets and racks of baseball caps.
Wasting no time, Jonah has already picked up a couple pairs of jeans and a few T-shirts, and is standing in line at the check-out counter, which is manned by a lanky young man with short, twisted afro locks. Lia’s waiting in line with him.
“That was fast,” I say, nodding at Jonah’s haul.
“I just want to get this over with,” Jonah says. “I hate shopping.”
There’s only one other customer in line ahead of them, a young man with greasy brown hair, wearing an oversized coat that looks like it hasn’t been washed in years.
The customer ahead of Jonah sets one T-shirt on the counter, and as the cashier rings up the purchase, I notice that the customer’s hands are shaking badly as he digs around inside his coat’s big pocket. As he fidgets, practically bouncing on his feet, the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I realize something’s seriously off with this guy. Then he pulls a small black handgun out of his coat pocket and shoves it in the clerk’s startled face.
“Empty your cash drawer, now!” the customer yells. “Do it!” As he waves his gun wildly in the cashier’s face, his hand is shaking so badly I’m afraid he’s going to shoot the kid, whether he means to or not.
The rest happens so quickly it’s over almost as soon as it started. Shane grabs my upper arm and shoves me behind him as he pulls his handgun out of his chest holster. At the same time, Lia whips out the small handgun tucked into her ankle holster and pushes Jonah behind her. A second later, Shane and Lia have their guns drawn on the guy.
“Lower the gun, now!” Shane orders. “Put it on the counter and step back! Put your hands behind your back!”
Lia moves in close, pressing the muzzle of her gun to the back of the perpetrator’s head. “If you don’t do what the man says, asswipe, I get to shoot you.”
The guy drops his gun on the counter and steps back, throwing his hands up into the air. “Please don’t shoot me!” he cries, looking frantically from Shane to Lia. “I wasn’t going to hurt anyone, I swear! Please don’t shoot me!”
Shane holsters his gun and pulls a flex cuff out of his jacket pocket, then he tugs the guy’s arms behind his back and quickly secures his wrists.
Lia still has her gun trained on the guy’s head.
“I wasn’t going to shoot him,” the perpetrator says, wincing as Shane tightens the restraints.
“Tell it to the judge, pal,” Lia says. Then she glances at the dumbstruck cashier, who’s standing frozen behind the check-out counter. “What are you waiting for?” she says. “Call 911.”
As the cashier fumbles for his cordless phone and makes the call, Shane looks back at me. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
“I’m fine,” I say, rubbing the arm Shane grabbed. I’m pretty sure I’ll have bruises.
I’m still reeling from shock. This is the first time I’ve ever seen Shane or Lia draw a gun on someone. It was amazing how they responded, perfectly in sync with each other as if they did this all the time. I guess that’s what all their training is for.
Shane holsters his gun and pulls me into his arms. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s over.”
I just now realize how badly I’m shaking. I look over at Jonah, who’s gazing with concern at Lia. She has her gun trained on the would-be robber, keeping him contained until the police arrive. Jonah catches my gaze and shakes his head. I know he worries about Lia and her tendency to run toward danger instead of away from it. But she’s a McIntyre, and expecting them to behave any differently is futile.
The police arrive within minutes – two squad cars pull up to the front of the shop with their lights flashing. Four officers storm the shop, weapons drawn, but they quickly lower their handguns when they see that the situation is under control.
Two of the officers take custody of the perpetrator and load him into their patrol car. The other two officers remain behind to take our statements.
When Jonah tries to pay for his selections, the cashier waves him away, saying in a shaky voice, “Don’t bother, man. It’s on the house.”
Jonah laughs, shaking his head as he pulls out his wallet and hands the cashier his credit card.