CHAPTER NINE
It feels like we move incredibly fast, but when Jake and I step into the hallway, we’re met with a line of people waiting to get out of the building. They all moved much quicker than we did.
“What’s going on?” a middle-aged woman in a sweat suit — matching pink top and bottoms — asks, walking next to Jake.
“I have no idea. I think that’s the fire alarm.”
“The fire alarm.You mean there’s a fire?”
Sometimes I understand why Americans get a bad rap.
“More than likely.” Jake nods his head at her like she is the dumbest person to walk the planet.
He’s never been great at sugar coating. He’s more of a tell it like it is kind of guy. At one point in time, I found that one of his more attractive qualities.
“Either way alarms are never good. So follow everyone elsedown the staircase.” I try to cover up his abrupt answer.
Jake opens the door letting the woman and me go first. The stairwell is full of people all pushing their way down to the first floor. Jake squeezes in next to me putting his hand on my shoulder. I almost reach up and knock it away, but I stop myself in time.
I guess I’m more upset than I thought.
The alarm continues to buzz and I wantto rocket down the steps faster because, while I can’t smell smoke, my body reacts with panic to the alarming noise. We reach the first floor and come to a grinding halt. The small exit door is bottlenecked full of people trying to push their way out. The air warms and I panic because of the crush of people in the small staircase. If the building is on fire, we’re all going to die from the speedthese people are moving.
“Did anyone see fire?”
“Is there another way out?”
Questions are flung from each and every direction. No one asks anyone in particular, and no one has any answers.
“Hold up, people. We’ll make it out.” Someone higher up the staircase yells. His unnaturally tall and toned body means he’s more than likely an athlete.
Jake and I make it to the door and he pushes me through,following right after. I almost fall to the ground outside. The weather’s cold and windy but we’re safe. I suck in a breath of fresh air and move over to our left as far as we can to the parking lot so more people get to safety.
“Reagan, you’re okay.” Knox runs up from the parking lot out of breath. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Where’s your brother?”
“I don’t know. I left him in thelobby.” There’s no sign of Remi or Marley in the crowd.
Knox’s eyes follow mine searching the crowd. “I was in the lobby when they made us evacuate. He wasn’t there.”
Jake does his best to remove his arm from my shoulders calmly and as casually as possible, but it catches Knox’s attention. His eyes drive down to Jake’s arm, his face becoming a snarl.
“Knox.” This is not the time or place andI hope my warning will stop him from doing something crazy.
“No, it’s all right. We’re okay here. She’s in good hands.” Jake places a kiss at the top my head and pats my arm in a horribly awkward way before he turns and takes a step away.
“Wait,” I say following him with my eyes. “Where will you go?”
He laughs. “Don’t you know? It’s the Winter Games. My plane leaves tomorrow. I guess I’ll checkout a few places until then.”
“Thanks, Jake.” I smile.
“What the fuck was that about?” Knox asks, watching Jake wearily as he walks to the parking lot.
I shake my head. “Just saying goodbye.”
Knox tenses and for a few seconds I worry he’ll go after Jake and cause a big scene. I’m pretty proud of Jake and hell, me too. We broke up almost amicably. There could’ve been a huge argument and drama,but there wasn’t. And yet I still feel like I’ve had my closure.
Maybe this means I’m becoming an adult? I am twenty-six. I guess I had to happen sooner or later.
