It was dark when Jonathon managed to leave Rose Security Group. His trainee Devon Thunderbird was a fast learner, but sometimes he moved too fast. Jonathon had put him through a series of rigorous exercises, and Devon would’ve past them all had it not been for a few instances where he moved before his thoughts processed. By the time he’d spotted the real target, the simulation had already let off two shots. Kill shots at that. Jonathon would hate to turn the kid away. Devon was young and ready for a full career with Rose Security Group, but his employment would have to wait. Jonathon needed him to pass every test. It was his company policy.

Undoing the first two buttons on his Ralph Lauren shirt, Jonathon reached for his cell and powered it on. He took a left on Meadows Lane and turned onto the highway. All day, Jonathon’s thoughts had been with Octavia. Any other time, he would always think about her, but this was oddly different. Several times he’d found himself staring off into space. If it hadn’t been for the simulation machine signaling a sudden death alarm, Jonathon wouldn’t have caught the two mistakes Devon made. Jonathon was aware of what bothered him. Being with Octavia was heaven, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted her wholeheartedly, and every minute, Jonathon was finding it hard to hold back revealing his love for her.

Picking up his phone, Jonathon glanced at the screen and saw an incoming text message from Octavia. He opened it up and took a swift eye over it. Deciding to call her instead of text, Jonathon eyed his mirrors then switched lanes and finger dialed her number. The phone rang five times before going to voicemail. Jonathon glanced at the time. She was probably busy with the volunteers. He would know soon enough since that was his next stop. His phone rang out, and he answered it on the first ring.

“Rose Security Group.”

“Hey friend, are you busy?”

It was Mia. Jonathon rechecked his mirrors and switched lanes once more.

“Not exactly, wassup?”

“There was an accident at work today, and I’m wondering if I can get your help.”

“What happened?” he asked, genuinely concerned.

“Some fools decided to fight, and I tried to break it up.”

“Mia, what were you thinking?”

“I work there, Jonathon. I can’t just watch them fight.”

“Yes, you can. You call the police and let the men in the establishment handle that. Are you all right?”

Mia became quiet.

“Mia?” When she didn’t respond, Jonathon exhaled. “I’m not scolding you. I’m just concerned.”

“Sounds like you’re fussing,” she said. “And yes, I’m okay for the most part.”

Jonathon pulled to the side of the highway. “What does that mean?”

“I ended up on the floor being trampled, and now my ankle is broken.”

A slew of profanity left Jonathon’s lips. “Where are you?”

“Home.”

“Is anyone there?”

“Not at the moment. It’s why I was calling you. I’m sorry, Jonathon. I don’t mean to be a bother.”

“I’m on my way,” he said, disconnecting the call. Jonathon sat still on the highway and pulled himself together. He had to wonder why getting this news from Mia upset him. He did care for her, but not in the aspect that she cared for him. Deep down, he knew what it was. Mia was taking him off his course to get back to Octavia, and he being the good friend that he was couldn’t leave Mia home alone when she needed help. Jonathon sighed and re-dialed Octavia but received the same voice message he had moments before.

His thumb moved over the screen as he sent Octavia a text.

Hey, sweetheart, I was on my way to you, but something came up. Call me back when you get the chance.

Jonathon put the phone in his console and eased back on the highway. He got off at the next exit and made a U-turn going back toward his side of town. When he made it to Mia’s apartment, the front door was open. He slipped inside and called her name.

“Mia.”

“I’m in here,” she said.

Jonathon closed the door, his heavy footsteps announcing himself as he went toward Mia’s voice. When he found her, she was limping back to the sofa with crutches under her arm and one ankle bandaged. Swiftly, Jonathon was at her side where he removed the crutches and helped her into a seat.

“Thank you,” she said.

Jonathon couldn’t help but notice that her shirt wasn’t long enough to cover the black lace panties she wore. Mia had left all of her legs on display.

“If you tell me where your pants are, I’ll grab them for you,” he said.

Mia looked affright. “And have you go through my drawers, I don’t think so.”

“You must be cold,” Jonathon said. “I’ll get you a blanket instead.”

“Why, you don’t like looking at my legs?” she crooned.

“Is that why you asked me over here, Mia, to look at your legs?”

Mia wiggled her brows. “Maybe.”

Jonathon gauged her reaction. She could’ve very well been telling the truth. Mia wasn’t one to hold her tongue, but his eyes slid back down to her bandaged ankle, and he surmised that she was telling a joke.

“What do you need?” he asked, his voice holding a depth that Mia loved.

“I was trying to fix some leftovers, but it wasn’t working out too well.”

The smoke detector sounded, and Jonathon whipped around and headed toward the kitchen. An eye on the stove had caught fire, and whatever was in the skillet was smoking. Jonathon took the burnt cookware off the stove and set it in the sink, rinsing it under cold water. In the refrigerator, he pulled out a small box of baking soda and turned it over onto the kitchen eye, efficiently dousing the flame.

Jonathon cast an eye over the kitchen and went about the task of fixing the leftovers for Mia. Although Mia and her brother shared an apartment, the guy was never home. This was looking to be a long night, and Jonathon hoped her brother would be back soon.

 

“Octavia!”

“Give me the iPod.”

“No,” Octavia responded.

“Did you just tell your mother no?”

“Dad, watch out!”

Octavia rose to a sitting position, her breathing exasperated as she shook off the dream. It was back as if it had known she was alone again, and now the nightmare would wreak havoc on her. Octavia pulled her hands up and dropped her face inside her palms. She was tired. Friday had been the busiest day ever. Taking time off during the week to have a mini vacation with Jonathon was the most relaxed she’d felt ever. Now that that was over, Octavia gathered, it was back to business as usual. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand and sighed at the hour.

2 a.m.

Octavia dragged herself out of bed and pulled the nightgown over her head, tossing it in the bin of clothes that sat by her door. She slinked into her bathroom and washed her face then crept back out and noticed the flashing light on her cell phone. Picking it up from the table, she opened it and read a few text messages from Jonathon.

Octavia had never made it back to her cell phone after Steven’s appearance. Her mind had been jumbled, and she knew why. If Jonathon had walked in while Steven was there, Octavia hoped he wouldn’t notice Steven or wouldn’t care that he was in her home. But somehow, she knew that wouldn’t happen. Octavia didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed when Jonathon didn’t show up. But whatever had come up, Octavia knew was important, or he would have been there with her. With the cellphone in hand, Octavia lifted the basket of clothes and took them to the laundry room. She powered the machine on, and as it filled, Octavia added laundry detergent. Pulling out her cell, she leaned into the washing machine and dialed Jonathon. When Octavia received his voicemail, she figured Jonathon was sleep, but she took her chances to dial him anyway. Octavia missed Jonathon and wanted to hear his voice if nothing else.

Sitting the phone on top of the dryer, Octavia added her linens then closed the lid on the washing machine. Steven had taken phone calls all day without complaining once. It was a nice change to the grumbling Selena seemed to do when she was taking calls. At 9 p.m., when the phones were cut off, Octavia had offered Steven something to drink and eat, which he gladly accepted.

“If you need anything,” Steven had said, “call me, my number’s the same.”

Octavia left the laundry room for the kitchen and filled a tall glass of water but only took a sip. Her mind wandered as she strolled to the living room and peeked through the blinds. All was silent, and the street was deserted. When her phone rang out, the familiar tone brought a smile to her face.

“Hey,” she answered.

“I’ve missed you,” his rough voice grooved.

Octavia closed her eyes and rested in the sound of his deep vocals.

“I’ve missed you, too,” she responded.

“Are you okay?” Jonathon asked.

“I would be better if you were here. What happened earlier? I should be asking if you’re okay.”

Jonathon shifted the phone from one ear to the other and pulled himself to a sitting position. “I’m fine. Mia broke her ankle at work and was home alone, so I came over to give her a hand.”

Octavia’s sanctuary dispersed, and her eyes opened.

“You’re over Mia’s house now?”

“Yeah,” he said. “She’s stubborn, but I can get her together when necessary. I had to force her to go to bed. Can you believe she was trying to give me the bed and sleep on the couch?”

The knot in Octavia’s stomach was unnerving to her. She knew Jonathon, and this wasn’t a reason to worry. So why did she feel annoyed? Octavia didn’t have a problem with Jonathon helping a friend, but spending the night? Wasn’t that crossing a line if they were together? Octavia’s thoughts backtracked; they hadn’t given each other titles, but after everything they shared, surely they didn’t have to spell it out. Right?

“Okay…” Octavia said. “Well, I hope she gets better. I’d better let you go.”

“Are you having nightmares again?”

Octavia hesitated. “I’m okay,” she said soothingly. “I’m going to try and get a few Zs. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Octavia…”

Octavia clutched the phone in her hand. “Yes?”

“If you have a problem with me being here, just say the word, and I’m gone.”

Octavia wavered. If Jonathon didn’t see a problem with it, why should she?

“I’m fine, Mia’s your friend, and she needed your help. Simple as that, right?”

The phone went silent before Jonathon responded, “Right.”

“Good. Then I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Octavia ended the call and hung her head. Her thoughts ran rapidly before they settled on Steven. He was a friend too, so it shouldn’t be a problem if Octavia had a light conversation with him.

“No,” she declined, shaking her head and traipsing to the couch to plop down. Octavia reached for a pillow and clutched it to her chest. Her mind jumped from Jonathon to Mia, to Steven before the darkness of the room took over, and she fell asleep. When the reoccurring haze of her parents’ accident came into focus, Octavia snapped back to reality and groaned. She wasn’t getting any sleep like this.

She grabbed her cell and went back to Jonathon’s number. He said he’d leave if she wanted him to. Octavia bit her bottom lip. She didn’t want to be that clingy friend, so she scrolled past his name to Steven’s. Her eyes hovered over the glowing cell as she took in the time.  3 a.m., Octavia sighed and forged ahead, hitting the call button. The phone rang three times before a rough voice answered.

“Hello?”

“I’m sorry for waking you.”

Octavia could hear shuffling in the phone as Steven sat up. “Octavia?”

“Yeah,” she said.

Steven glanced at the time and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

He sounded sincere, Octavia thought. “I can’t seem to sleep, so I figured I’d call to keep you up since I had to be.”

Steven chuckled. “You’re so cold.”

Octavia grinned. “Sorry.”

“I don’t mind being awakened by you. Why can’t you get any sleep?”

Octavia paused. “Bad dreams.”

“Damn,” he said. “I can come over and keep you company if you’d like.” When Octavia didn’t respond, he said, “Or we can stay on the phone, it’s up to you. I have no other intentions than to keep you company.”

Octavia bit her bottom lip. “For now, the phone conversation will do. I just need a little help shifting gears. If I put my mind somewhere else, I might be able to get some sleep with the little night I have left.”

“Okay.” Steven sat back against the headboard. “Tell me, Octavia, how did you get involved with Ayana Bradwell’s case?”

“Officer Davis knocked on my front door one morning. Because Ayana is one of my neighbor’s children, he was interested in whatever knowledge of her I might have. Which wasn’t much. I’d seen Ayana a few times walking to the bus stop while I was running out the front door. Late for work.” She chuckled and so did Steven.

“So, he asked you to open your house as a station?”

“I told him if there was anything I could do to help to let me know. That’s when he asked me about it. This is the second weekend actually. It was just last weekend when he came around.” Octavia thought about telling him what Officer Davis had mentioned earlier. But if they called the search off, the volunteers would probably be one of the first to know about it, so she kept that information to herself. “How did you get involved?”

“My father’s an officer with Chicago PD. He asked me if I could help with the search, and I told him I could. So here I am.”

“Is this your first weekend out?”

“No, I was here last weekend. I thought there was a break in the case when they found Ayana’s book bag.”

“I did, too,” Octavia said.

“I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you seeing anyone, Octavia?”

Octavia hesitated. Steven had thrown that in there so fast she almost missed it. “Yes, I am,” she said.

“I’m going to be blunt here, but I think you already knew that.”

“Mmhmm.”

“I’d like to redo our last date. I want you to know the real me.”

“So that guy I went on three other dates with wasn’t the real you?” Octavia said, twisting her lips.

Steven chuckled. “I can see how what I’m saying now may sound ridiculous, but no, it’s wasn’t the real me. I’ve always lived to this image I thought everyone loved. I’ve been practicing it for so long I got lost in it myself. I’d like to show you the truth.”

Octavia pursed her lips. “I couldn’t go out on a date with you when I’m dating someone else, now could I?”

“Yes, you could.”

Octavia laughed and dropped her head in her hand. “What did I expect you to say?”

“I don’t know,” Steven said, getting in on the joke. “Does he know what kind of a gem you are?”

Octavia raised a brow. “You do?”

“While I might have been a fake, I saw the real you, Octavia. And now that we’re in good standing, I plan to stick around until you tell me to beat it.”

“All right, that’s enough for tonight. I’m going to bed.”

“It’s all good,” Steven said. “I know where you stay.”

“I’ve got a gun,” she teased.

“Yeah, but you’re too civil to shoot.”

“Don’t try me. Good night.”

“If you need me, I’ll be here.”

“Thanks.”

“Good night,” Steven said.

Octavia disconnected the call and went to dive in bed. After that conversation, she didn’t want to do anything but forget it. Thankfully for the rest of the night, she’d been able to sleep soundly.