Page 130 of Triggered By Love
“No, we’re not,” Jason shouted. “We’re actors rehearsing a skit.”
The crowd obligingly clapped and hooted, cheering them on. Jason whirled Avery over his shoulder and sprinted down the alleyway.
The shouts of officers yelling, “Stop, police,” faded into wolf whistles and catcalls as the suit jacket flapped over Avery’s back, exposing her thong swimsuit.
Shots rang out behind them, and Avery cried, “Run faster. They’ve got their guns out.”
Jason turned the corner and took a quick glance, almost dropping Avery in disbelief. The popping sounds came from plastic cups of ice water being thrown at the cops.
Minutes later, Jason and Avery pulled out of the underground garage in his rented convertible with the top down. Both of them wore sunglasses. She was covered with a floppy beach hat and not much else, and he was tieless with his shirtsleeves rolled up and his button-down open, looking like he and his girl were on their way to the east end of Long Island or the Jersey Shore.
* * *
Despite the heatof the late summer evening, Avery clutched Jason’s suit jacket tight and shivered as the convertible clambered up the back roads to his hunting cabin.
After escaping The City, Jason decided they’d lay low in case the police were after them. She didn’t know what to think. Or feel. All she could do was numb herself.
At least she still had her purse and phone since she’d left them in the car when they went up to the professor’s penthouse. Those shoes she’d left behind were one of her favorite pairs. That pissed her off.
The gun she’d grabbed from Larry turned out to be Jason’s gun, so he was all set.
“What a day.” Jason cut off the engine. He leaned back on the seat and exhaled without looking at her.
“Are you okay?” she asked. “After the high wears off, you’ll crash. Hopefully it won’t be too bad since it’s your first time.”
“And last.” He put up his hands, fingers spread, and stared at the shaking. “It’s settling down. Should have picked up fast food on the way up.”
“I’m not hungry,” she said.
“Not even for Gino’s pizza?” He arched an eyebrow, and she was glad to see him smiling.
“Does he do delivery? Because look at me.” She flapped open the suit jacket.
“I’m sure Gino won’t mind you flashing him.” He finally leaned over and kissed her.
The simple action shocked her, and she swallowed, biting her lip. “How are we? I mean, what do you think about me now?”
He touched her face, so gently, kissing her like a man saying goodbye. She braced herself and kicked herself for not melting into the kiss.
But she had to know.
He curled his fingers around her hair and stroked, calming and soft. “My heart doesn’t think. It only feels.”
“That’s not answering the question.”
He cupped her face with both hands and stared into her eyes. “It feels an awful lot like love.”
“Is this the meth talking?”
“No, this is Jason’s heart speaking. My head can’t understand it. I’ve never wanted to get attached after losing my mother. After meeting you, it’s not what I think, but how I feel. It’s like what happens to you is more important to me than my own life. That keeping you safe, making you happy, and helping you pick up the pieces and live the best remaining life you have is all I’m obsessed with.”
“Even after everything that happened?”
“Especially after everything we’ve been through together.” He rested his lips briefly on her forehead before backing off and beaming such kindness and acceptance from his face that she choked up with a combination of regret and hope.
Why would he settle for someone as ruined as her?
Could she do the same for him? Heal his grief and give him happiness and comfort with her love?
