Page 133 of Ace My Heart

“Where’s the fire?” Joel asked, propping himself up against the bed head. I shook my head, clipping my bra back on with handsthat trembled. I already had his door open while I still had my head stuck inside my shirt.

“I’ve got to go!” I choked out as I made my escape.

Heavy clouds were gathering as I pushed my bike down the drive. I turned to look at them, hoping I’d make it home before the rain started. I caught a glimpse of Joel standing in the doorway of the house, wearing only a pair of jeans and leaning against the door frame, watching me leave.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Revelations

Why? Why had I realised thisnow? Why couldn’t I have just gone on in blissful ignorance of my real feelings for Joel? I couldn’t even call him DJH anymore. I couldn’t blame him for making me fall in love with him.

I could blame myself though. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have let myself fall in love with a guy who was a serial flirt, who collected women the way kids collected Pokémon cards?

If I let Joel know that I loved him, he’d run so fast I’d choke on his dust. How was I going to face him, knowing how I felt? How could I keep him from figuring it out and freaking out on me?

It was almost a surprise when I looked up and realised that I was at the front door of my apartment building. Had I been so deep in my own head the whole way home?

As I climbed off my bike my mobile rang. I pulled it out of my pocket.

It was Joel.

I didn’t answer. If he wanted me, he would leave a message. If hereallywanted me, he would call back. If he called three times, I’d answer the third. Yes, that would be okay. And I’d tell him that I’d forgotten I had some important appointment. I’d act all blasé about it and he wouldn’t suspect a thing.

I scrambled up the stairs with my bike slung over one shoulder.When I reached my landing, I juggled the bike while I sorted through my keys for the one to unlock my front door, reaching out to slip it into the lock.

I froze.

The door was slightly ajar. I put down my bike and left it leaning up against the wall. Through the crack in the door, I could see that the apartment was in darkness. My heart kicked up a notch.

Should I just leave, go to the police and get someone else to check it out for me? No, it was probably nothing – I’d probably forgotten to lock it. I’d been pretty distracted all day.

Still, I locked my key between the knuckles of one hand before I pushed the door open.

Blood.

Gaping mouth.

Bulging eyes.

The flashback hit me with such force I gasped. I pulled back the hand that had started to reach for the light switch – this felt way too familiar. I wasn’t sure I wanted to see what was going on inside my apartment.

I was terrified. I wanted Joel with me so bad it hurt.

My mobile rang again, making me jump nearly out of my skin. Joel again. Call number two. I cancelled the call. I was stuck with one foot inside my apartment, one outside. Afraid to go in, afraid to run.

“You haven’t returned my calls,” a voice inside the apartment accused. In my fear and confusion, I didn’t put two and two together. The only calls I could remember not returning were the two from Joel just now. But it couldn’t be Joel’s voice inside the apartment. I took a step inside and flicked on the light.

“Brad! What are you doing here? How did you get in?” I demanded, feeling so relieved my knees were weak. “Did I leave the door unlocked?”

Brad was sitting in the lounge chair beside the TV. Connor was curled up in his lap, purring loudly.

He shook his head. “You don’t even remember, do you?” heasked, a hint of hurt in his voice. I walked in and sunk down on the lounge, staring at him blankly.

“Remember what?” I asked.

Brad shook his head in disgust. “You gave me a key last year, remember? At the same time you gave one to Amanda, so that if she couldn’t make it over to feed Connor, I could instead.”

I collapsed back against the lounge – Ihadforgotten. “So, you’ve been letting yourself in to keep an eye on things when I’ve been overseas?” I asked.

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