“You’re welcome.” He shut the door, walked me to my car, and waited until I pulled away before he got back in his truck.
So this is what it’s like for Meg, Emily, and Blake. I had only experienced it a few times when AJ and I went out. Which wasn’t often. Usually we’d meet up, hang out for a few minutes, then rip each other’s clothes off.
I wondered if Jay acted the same way with Cate. That girl was seriously badass and didn’t need a guy taking care of her. Thinking back to the times they’d hung out with us, I knew he did. He didn’t always open her door or pull out her chair. His support and protection were more subtle, but they were there. Jay was at his most gentlemanly when Cate, who wasn’t used to our boisterous group, felt overwhelmed. He’d simply walk up beside her and put his hand on her back. It was such a simple, sweet way of supporting her.
When I got home, there was a package on the front porch.
No return address. No stamp. Just my name scrawled in big capital letters in thick black marker. I wrapped my arms around my waist as a chill ran down my spine.
I spun, searching up and down the street.Did I really expect whoever had hand-delivered it to be standing on the sidewalk watching?
Thinking back to Jamie and Jack’s reaction to the black flowers, I left the package on the porch and went inside.
Shit.I’d forgotten to tell them about Red Flag Finn’s texts.
Gran was napping in her room with Prince, who glared at me for daring to disturb him when I opened the door to check on her. Hopefully, she’d stay asleep long enough for me to call Nathan.
Nathan?Why’d I even think that?I couldn’t call him. I meant to think, call Jamie.
A soft knock at the door interrupted me.
I ran to open it before the noise woke Gran. As I reached for the handle, I remembered getting blindsided by Finn.
Check the peephole.
What the fuck was Nathan doing here?
“Ashley, I know you’re there. Please open the door.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried through the closed door loud and clear.
Opening the door, I hissed, “What are you doing here?”
“The same thing I was doing last night.”
“I told you, you don’t need to watch my house.”
“The mystery package indicates otherwise.” He nudged it with his foot. “Unless you know who it’s from?”
“I don’t. That’s why I didn’t touch it. I was getting ready to call Jamie when you knocked and scared the crap out of me.”
“Right, sorry. Go inside, lock the door, and call him. I’ll deal with the box.” He scanned the street, searching the same way I had.
Nathan’s tone scared me, so I did what he asked. I watched him snap several photos before running to his truck. He slid blue rubber gloves on before picking up the box and examining the outside.
Holding my phone to my ear, I opened the door to watch him.
Nathan opened his mouth and then slammed it shut. He ground his teeth and exhaled before asking, “Can I take this out back?”
“Go around the side.” I didn’t want him waking up Gran, and I sure as hell didn’t want to give her a reason to worry. “I’ll meet you back there.”
“Lock the door,” he ordered before walking off the porch, holding the box at arm’s length. I locked the door, checked on Gran again, and then went to the patio.
Jamie answered as I slid the patio door closed. “Hey Ashley, is everything okay?”
“I’m not sure. There was a box on the front porch when I got home. No return sender or stamp.”
“Did you touch it?”
“No, but Nathan did. He took it out back.”
