Her advice was enough to clear my head, and I went back to work. Ever since then, she’s taken the time to check in, asking about my mental health. I appreciate it, but it only reminds me that I’m a basket case.
A basket case that Jamie is now forced to carry.
I know he said he would be busy today, but I’m suddenly overwhelmed with the need to see him. The way we parted this morning still doesn’t sit right with me, and I think it’s time I start asking questions, instead of worrying myself into another episode.
Something was clearly wrong with him when I took his temperature. No one’s temp naturally runs that high. However, Jamieisthe type of person to ignore symptoms when it comes to being sick, especially if he’s busy with something important.
The week of Double Double’s grand opening, he came down with strep throat, but never told anyone until he was in so much pain he couldn’t talk. I had to drag him to the clinic so they could load him up on antibiotics and pump him full of fluids. He still managed to be there on opening day, greeting everyone at the door with his boyish grin.
I love that grin.
“I’m glad he was there,” Kendra says, pulling me from my daydreaming. “I swear that boy never leaves your side. You’re like two peas in a pod.”
I’ve heard the sentiment many times. Everyone in town knows how close we are.
“He certainly took it personally when that man put his hands on you,” she continues, as if we’re gossiping. “Fromwhat I heard, Jamie looked possessed. Reminds me of when his uncle first met Paloma. He helped her leave a pretty nasty relationship, and after that, they were inseparable. I tell you what, I have never seen anyone more livid than a werewolf protecting their mate.” She cocks her head, but I’m no longer listening to anything she’s saying. “As a matter of fact…”
Suddenly all of Jamie’s odd behavior starts flashing like a slideshow in my mind. His severe aggression toward Patrick, the overly attentive nature he’s shown me, and now suddenly disappearing after being glued to my side for days. It all lines up a little too perfectly.
It’s as if there’s a full moon making him act so out of character.
My heart skips a beat. I hurriedly grab my bag from the hook beneath the counter and dig for my phone. Kendra is trying to ask me something, but I don’t have the mental capacity to answer her. Right now my mind is focused on one thing: opening my calendar app. As I click to the current week and select today’s date, I spy the little moon graphic in the corner of the box.
No flippin’ way.
I’ve known Jamie since high school. If he was a werewolf, there would have been signs. He would have told me.
Would he?
Had I somehow given him a reason not to trust me with such a profound part of himself? And not just me, but the entire town. The whole point of Shadow Hills’ founding was to provide a safe place for paranormals. Why in the world would Jamie choose to keep his nature a secret in the one place that would truly accept him?
I stand up and rush to the door, appetite forgotten.
“Where you goin’?” Kendra asks. “You haven’t ordered yet!”
“I just remembered I need to check on something.” I’m already halfway outside when I call back to her. “I still want to come by and see those kittens!”
I see her dumbfounded expression through the window as I pass but don’t stop. I race across the street to Double Double, praying someone knows where Jamie is.
Chapter Thirteen
RAEGAN
Iknow Jamie won’t be there, but perhaps his assistant manager will know what errands he’s meant to run today.
The dim and moody atmosphere of the coffee shop is a stark difference to Kiki’s bright and bustling cafe. I love the style Jamie chose for his business, but I have to admit, it does bring down the mood a bit after coming from Kiki’s. Maybe that’s what he meant to achieve. When someone enters Double Double, they are escaping the chaos of the outside world and taking refuge among a quiet, slow paced setting.
I guess no one is in need of escape today, because the place is completely empty, save for Casey balancing empty coffee cups on top of each other behind the counter. They startle when I walk toward them and have to catch the falling cups as they tumble from their makeshift tower.
I’m about to ask if they’ve spoken to Jamie yet today, but then Layton comes out from the back carrying a box of coffee grounds. I wave hello and he greets me with an open mouthed smile. His long dreads cascade down his back and just barely skim his waist as he bends to place the box on the floor to unpack.
His golden eyes find mine. “Jamie isn’t here today,” he says, assuming correctly who I’m looking for. Only I already knew that.
“Oh, I know.” I wave the comment away with my hand, pretending I haven’t just realized something life changing about my best friend. “He told me he wasn’t working today, but that he had errands to run. Did he need to do a supply pick up?”
Both Layton and I glance down at the full box of ground coffee and fresh beans he just brought from the storeroom. Jamie locally sources his coffee from a vendor just outside of town, and clearly they were fully stocked.
Layton forces a chuckle. “No, we did that last week.” He looks me up and down, searching for any sign that something might be amiss. “Is everything alright?”
