Page 40 of Jake's Angel

“Where you at, hooker? I know you’re home! We’ve got some celebrating to do!” She’s still shouting as she comes to an abrupt halt in the doorway of my room and sees my bags. I drop the phone into my backpack, hoping she didn’t see it.

“Where are you going?” She sounds both shocked and hurt.

“I need to go.” Not wanting to tell her about the stranger, I go with the next best thing. “Jake knows who I am. He saw the bruises on my arm and Jayde let my name slip. I need to leave before he figures out you were the one who helped me and tells Mack where we are.” I zip up my backpack and carry both bags past her down the hall, setting them down on the floor near the kitchen counter. I don’t tell her about the incident at the diner today. It would freak her out.

It'sstillfreaking me out!

Sadie walks over to where her stockpile of computers are, then digs through her purse sitting beside them. Taking something out, she pushes a button and the tabletop computer lights up. She types something into the password prompt, clicks on a few things I can’t see, then puts in a thumb drive. Several more taps to the keyboard, then she’s turning the screens off and walks back to meet me.

Rubbing my arms, she says, “You’re not leaving. At least not tonight. I sold my prototype,” she says excitedly.

“That’s … that’s amazing Sadie! I’m so proud of you.” I pull her into a hug. She’s been working on a tracking device since our sophomore year. It’s meant for children with special needs or adults with dementia and other mental instabilities that couldcause them to wander and get lost. She told no one other than me she was working on it until now, apparently.

“See, so you have to stay and celebrate with me, and …” she draws out the word, “my Uncle Mack is at home with his wife, whom he hasn’t seen in months,alone.I don’t think Jake is going to be able to get ahold of him until,” she looks down at her wrist that doesn’t have a watch, “she’s well and truly satisfied.” Her eyebrows wiggle, and her grin spreads wide. I can’t stop my grin from mirroring hers. “And he hasa lotof time to make up for.”

“Ew. Not a picture I need in my head.”I punch her arm lightly.

Though she’s probably right. I don’t know of any man who would want to be bothered when he’s been starved for his wife for months and finally gets her alone for several hours. I’ve never had sex, but even I think that sounds … sweet. Even if the mental image is somewhat disturbing.

She takes my bags and moves them over by the front door, then walks back, pulling me by the hand into the kitchen. “Let’s grab some ice cream.” She pulls the half gallon of Rocky Road we bought from the freezer and grabs two spoons from the drawer.

“We’ll both put on our comfy pajamas and then we can binge watch whatever you want on Netflix tonight.”

“Are you asking me to Netflix and chill?” I tease.

“Absolutely! But I must warn you, I don’t put out on the first date.” We both laugh.

“Wait a minute. We’re supposed to be celebrating you, and you’re going to letmechoose the show?” Either she’s really excited about something, or she just wants me to stay one more night while she plots our next escape together. She’s probably already a step ahead of me and planning on a place we can go. The thought of her carefully planning another disappearing actcauses another knot to form in the pit of my stomach. She’s done so much for me already. I can’t ask her to do anymore.

I can wait one more night. It’s not going to hurt anything. I can always slip out before the sun rises in the morning.

I hate lying to Sadie, but I know it will be for the best if I leave while she’s asleep.

With my decision made, I sit down at the bar and dig into the ice cream.

“Yes. That’s my girl.” Sadie beams.

“So, what are we celebrating exactly? It seems like you’re not telling me everything.” I hadn’t noticed her outfit before, but she looks different. She’s wearing a black pencil skirt and a cobalt blue button-down blouse. Her black high heels are discarded under the barstool I’m sitting on. Definitely not the traditional Sadie outfit when dealing with people in Baron’s Edge. She thrives on wearing things like Guns N' Roses T-shirts and cutoff shorts, completely separating herself from the ‘norm.’

“Well, I met with someone today and he liked my designs, but when I told him I want to start my own tech company using theSnitch Programto launch the business, he fell in love with the concept. He’s going to help me do it!” She squeals, jumping up and down on her toes. I circle the bar, grabbing her with a tight squeeze.

“Oh my God, Sadie! That’s amazing!” We’re both jumping up and down now, squealing with delight. She’s always talked about starting her own business and working for herself. Now she is about to get her chance.

I can’t take her with me. This is too important to her. I won’t ask her to sacrifice her dreams for me.

“What did he say? How are you going to do it?”

“We haven’t worked out all the details yet, but he gave me a check for three hundred grand to help me get things started.”

“Holy shit!”

“I know! I need to put together a plan. I’ll need an office and more computers. Maybe a good friend to work with me to get things started.” She smiles a mischievous smile.

I can’t stay here. But I can’t tell her no either.

I do the only thing I can do. I lie.

“Yeah, I think I know someone.” She rocks me back and forth, hugging the hell out of me. Pulling out of our hug, our arms still locked together, she tells me, “Wait here. I have something for you.” I stay in my spot as she walks to her purse, grabbing out a long blue velvet box and handing it to me. “Open it,” she urges.

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