Page 33 of You are the Reason

“It’s okay Jess, it’s okay.” All these secrets are threatening to tear apart the life I’ve built for myself over the past year. I won’t allow it. “I’m going to put you on loud speaker, okay? Tanner’s here.”

My phone sits on the coffee table next to the photos and I let Tanner pull me onto his lap. He holds onto me as if someone is trying to pry me out of his arms, as he speaks to Jesse.

“Whoever has been following Kinsley has been taking photos and has now left said photos in her house for her to find.”

“The cameras — Tanner, check them. Who was it?”

I shift uncomfortably with the news that Tanner has access to my security cameras, pulling my bottom lip between my teeth to keep myself from biting their heads off again.They’re trying to protect you, Kinsley, breathe girlfriend.

“Got it, I’ll trim the footage and email it to you. I can’t get a good look on my phone. Send it to Stanley, too.”

My head snaps around so fast I swear I give myself whiplash, how does Tanner know that Jesse and I are working with Stanley?How much does he know?Tanner senses my anxiety creeping up on me, but before my palms start to sweat, before my heart begins to race, he presses a kiss to the top of my head. Strangely, it helps.

“Kinsley will come back and stay with me tonight, I’m not comfortable with her here alone,” Tanner states, matter of factly.

Kinsley is right here. She has a voice and is more than capable of speaking for herself.A chuckle bubbles out of my chest and I slap my hand over my mouth.Tone down the third person crazy, Kins.

“No, I have work tonight and I think you and Emma need time together. I’m not intruding on that,” I say sternly, weirdly neither of them comment on my moment of hysteria.

Jesse comes to my rescue. “That’s sorted then, I’ll be there to pick you up from work tonight and you’ll stay at my place.”

Ding — Ding — Ding,in the background of Jesse’s line, the school bell rings.“That’s my cue to go, there are about to be twenty-four pre-teen kids running into this classroom.” With that, Jesse ends the call.

Tanner’s voice is so low it almost comes out with a growl, “I still think you should come and stay with me.”

I cup his face in my hands, brushing my lips over his. “You’re not jealous now are you, my dark knight?”

“This is no time to play, Kinsley,” he says seriously, taking my hands with his. “Let’s go upstairs, you can get ready for work and pack some things to take to Jesse’s.”

I pout playfully and Tanner shakes his head, leading me by the hand towards my bedroom. I can’t help it. I’ve always been the one awkward person who laughs in situations that are the furthest thing from funny. It’s a coping mechanism I suppose.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Kinsley

Tanner refused to leave me at work until Becky and Brad arrived — together mind you. I’ll need to ask her about that; I’ve suspected something has been going on between the two of them for a long time, but she’s never confirmed nor denied it.

“Hey, guys!” I call out as I walk into the bar.

Working the opening shift means we can all hang out for a while before the regulars filter in; right now it’s still only us here.

“I know I’ve been away on and off since the break-in, and I want to apologise. I also wanted to make sure everything is going okay —” The two of them glance at each other, not knowing where this is going, clearly the photos have shaken me up more than I had thought. With a sigh, I cut straight to the point, “— I need to know if you have noticed anyone suspicious hanging around, or anyone causing trouble?”

“I haven’t noticed anything, nothing out of the ordinary anyway,” Becky says, rubbing my arm in comfort. “It’s been business as usual here.”

Brad pipes up from behind the bar, “Want me to comb over the security camera footage?”

Hell to the yes.Why didn’t I think of that earlier? From the conversation Tanner and Jesse were having earlier it wouldn’t surprise me if someone had already checked the footage, multiple times.

“Oh no, honestly — please don’t stress. It’s all good.”

Brad pins me with a knowing look. “Kinsley, if it’ll put your mind at ease, I’ll do it. It’s no trouble.”

I smile, we aren’t super close but this little work family I have created, they always look out for each other. “Okay fine, only if you get a chance, no pressure!” I say.

Before long the regulars fill the empty booths and bar stools, the drinks are flowing and the jukebox is playing old school hits. I almost forget about the problem at hand, that is until the small crowd parts as Jesse enters the bar.

“Daddy’s home!” he sings out, making an entrance as always. He picks Becky up with one arm and throws her over his shoulder. She punches his back, whilst laughing, and he plops her down on a bar stool next to me.

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