I look up just in time to see him walking back to the car. I remember my nose is in my shirt just as he opens the driver’s side door and pull my face out before he slides into his seat. That would’ve been embarrassing to explain.‘Oh, don’t mind me. Just smelling your shirt because I find you incredibly attractive and your smell is so relaxing. Nothing weird going on here.’I’m sure he wouldn’t find that weird at all.
“She’s either out cold, or she’s not home. Let’s take a quick drive by Devon’s place. If they’re not there, you can just crash at my place tonight and I can bring you to Bump & Grind in the morning to get your keys.”
“Oh, um yeah. OK.” It’s not OK. I’m more attracted to this man than I’ve been to anyone in a long time. Or ever. I can’t be alone in a house with him. Who knows what I could do. The last thing I need at this time in my life is to be throwing myself at a guy who is clearly just being nice because we have mutual friends. He very clearly told me he doesn’t ever date. That obviously includes me.
“I have a guest room and extra toothbrushes and stuff. I’ve had friends stay over before. It’s no big deal.”
To him, maybe. He was just messing around in the club, helping keep that guy away from me. I damn near molested him in front of a huge crowd when I almost stuck my hand right down the front of his pants. He even told me I was playing a dangerous game. He’s for sure not interested. My panties, however, are telling me that I sure am.
“So where does Devon live?” I ask, trying to change my current thought pattern.
“He’s in an apartment building not too far from my place. At least it’s on the way, so if he’s not there we’ll already be near my place.”
“What about you? Where’s your place?” I picture him living in some fancy penthouse overlooking the city. I already feel awkward and out of place. I am not a fancy person.
“I live in one of the older neighbourhoods on the edge of town.”
Oh. That’s not so bad. I hope it’s just a normal house. Actually, I really just hope Devon is home and has my keys. That would be the best-case scenario. I have a sneaking suspicion that’s not how this night is going to go, though. My luck is not that good lately. Just look at the cop thing.
“So, what about you? What’s your story? How long have you known Devon and Xena?”
“Seems like forever,” I say. “Kaden was my first partner, and has been my only partner since I got out of the academy. He took me under his wing and I’ve had his back ever since.”
“That’s great. Doesn’t really explain Xena and Devon though.”
“Oh, well…” I’m hesitant to tell him about my upbringing, but a little information can’t hurt, right? “When Kaden found out that I grew up in the foster system and didn’t really have a family, he brought me home to his. His parents are awesome, and Xena is just like a sister to me.”
“Foster kid, hey? That’s rough.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t always great. But it could have been a lot worse.” They could have left me with my mom.
“Did you get good foster parents, at least?”
“Um, yeah, they were pretty good, I guess. I had food, clothes, and school supplies, anyway.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that. You hear some real horror stories.”
I just nod in the dark, not really wanting to answer or continue this conversation. Dwelling on the past has never gotten me anywhere. Nobody wants to remember being shuffled house to house with only a garbage bag to hold your belongings. Luckily, we seem to be pulling into a parking lot at an apartment building. This must be Devon’s place.
“Keep your eyes peeled for a black Escalade. That’s what Devon drives.”
We drive around the lot for five minutes, but Devon isn’t here. Figures.
Aiden pulls out his phone and tries calling him again.
“Straight to voicemail. Again.”
All I can do is laugh. “This day is just getting better and better.”
“It could be worse,” Aiden says as he drives out of the lot. “What if you hadn’t noticed your keys and phone were missing until I was gone? At least you have somewhere to sleep tonight, instead of the doorway of your building.” There’s a note of irritation in his voice, like maybe he would have preferred that to being forced to offer me a place to stay for the night.
I just nod again and watch the city lights go by as we drive. I suppose things could be worse. I still haven’t figured out what to do for work, but at least I have enough savings to get by for a little while. And I still have my apartment, which is reasonably priced. Other than no longer having my dream job, I’m doing OK.
City lights give way to residential street lights and soon we’re pulling into what must be Aiden’s driveway. I’m surprised when he noses up the garage door but doesn’t open it, turning off the car and getting out in the driveway instead.
“Got a garage full of crap? How come you’re not parking your sweet station wagon inside?”
“It’s not really a garage. It’s where the guys and I used to jam, and now it’s my private rehearsal space. It’s full of instruments and equipment.” That irritation that I thought I heard earlier is there for sure now.
