Page 97 of Head Over Feels
Idigested this.IknewFelixdidn’t thinkTrentwas the killer or the bomber.Fosterwas noncommittal on the topic of the guy’s guilt, soFelixmight be right.AndFelixhad to have talked about his feelings on the matter with his best friends, soCalmight be tellingFelixwhat he wanted to hear. “Youthink the real killer-slash-bomber is going to reveal himself tonight?”
Felixshrugged, looking down at our hands.So, yes, that’s exactly what he thought.Fuck.Hewas going to be disappointed in the extreme if it didn’t happen.ButmaybeCalreally had psychic visions.I’dpromised myselfI’dtry to be open minded, soIneeded to act like it.
“Whatdo you want me to do?”Icould tell gettingFelixto stay home wasn’t an option.
Felixopened his mouth, then closed it.Heglanced around the carport before finally looking at me. “Iknow you don’t like guns, but, um, would it be a good idea to bring someone along who has one?Justin case.”
Iblinked. “YouthinkCal’sdream person with the gun is going to be who, a bodyguard?”
Hethrew his free hand in the air. “Betterthat thanDon’skiller, don’t you think?”
Iswallowed, my breath starting to get faster.Mostof my nightmares had to do with my memories of being unarmed and helpless against guys with guns.
Iclosed my eyes and pictured my pink unicorn.Felixhad been right, having to look at my phone whenIneeded to center myself put me at a disadvantage.WhatifIlost my phone or it was in another room?I’dbeen practicing visualization but it was hit or miss.
“Malcolm?”
Iopened my eyes and tightened my grip onFelix’sfingers. “Caldidn’t say anyone got hurt.Emotionsare going to run high tonight, andI’msure the part about the shouting will absolutely come true.Butit’s a bad idea to bring a gun into an already volatile situation.”
Felix’sface made a sort ofoopsexpression. “What?”Idemanded.
“Uh, one of the guys,Vince?He’sa gun collector.”
Fuckinghell.Ibanged my head slowly against the headrest.
“Yeah, he didn’t mention it on his dating profile, but when we went out he showed me a picture of his gun room.It’swhyIdidn’t want to see him again.”
IfVincehad a gun room, he’d for sure be carrying tonight.Wewere inTexasafter all.
Fuckme.Nowmy goal for the evening was not only to be a supportive boyfriend, but to also beFelix’sbodyguard.Witha bum leg.
Spence, a part-time personal protection agent atSheltonSecurity, had been showing me how to use my cane as a weapon.IhopedIwouldn’t have to.
IkissedFelix’sknuckles, then let go of his hand.Timeto get this show on the road.Iflipped the kill switch, started the car, and put it in reverse.
“Okay, soVinceis a gun nut.You’dbetter run all the other ex-dates down for me again soIknow which one is which.”Therewere so damn many of them.Igrimaced as we drove away from the house. “Ishould’ve made you print out a photo lineup with bios, like a rogues gallery.”
Felixgasped. “RoguesGallerywould be a great name forSteveandCal’sdating app.”
Hewas not going to distract me. “Youcan tell them later.Gothrough the ex-dates for me.”
MakingFelixrecite the list would give him something to think about on the drive other than being nervous.I’dhelped him talk through what he wanted to say when he addressed the group, but he was still anxious about it, even without fuckingCal’sso-called prediction.
“Right.Um, well obviouslyTrentwon’t be there, andArtiesaidEzra’sliving inSanFrancisco, so that leaves nine guys who might come tonight includingVince.”Hecrossed his arms and looked out at the night. “Itwould’ve been ten withDon.”Ireached over and rubbed his leg.
“IknowTrentwas the guy with the model trains all through his house.WhatwasDon’sdeal?”
“Iliked him okay, but he was obsessed with this soap opera, and he couldn’t function if he didn’t see every episode as soon as possible.Hewas late to our date because he’d stopped to watch it after work.Hetold me he binges old episodes on the weekends.”Felixpaused and said softly, “Binged.”
Irubbed his leg again. “IrememberTyleris intoBigfoot.Who’sthe guyTrentwas dating?”
Felixblew out a breath. “Xavier.Whenwe had our date,Xavierhadn’t been out with anyone since he and his ex had broken up, and he cried.”
“Okay, who’s next?”Ineeded to keep him talking.
“Um,Hayden.Hethinks vampires are real and he’s all about protecting himself against them.Heasked if he could take my pulse right after we sat down.”
“Okay.Hayden’safraid of vampires.Gotit.Next?”
