Page 99 of Watch Me
My gaze moved to look out the door. Ethan was standing with his back to us. “I know.” Ethan and I just clicked. We always had. “You can call me if you think Maddie needs me, and if you need anything, I’ll be there for you too.”
“I will.” Shesmiled.
Maddison and Ethan walked back in, both of them smiling. “Everything good?” Iasked.
Ethan draped an arm across my shoulders and kissed the side of my head. “Of course, Buttercup.”
We said our final goodbyes, and Ethan and I took an Uber to a car rental place then we drove back to Chicago. It snowed while we were driving, and all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch with him and watch amovie.
“What’s the plan for tonight?” I asked as we parked at the rental carreturn.
“I’m not sure. I need to go into the station for a few hours and then go and get the boys.”
Oh, right, the boys. I hadn’t forgotten that it was Wednesday, but I was tired from everything that had happened during the last week. Hell, the last several months had been exhausting, but I also knew that kids had a ton of energy and needed to do something other than sitting around. “Want to go ice skating?”
“Really?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Yeah, I haven’t been in years.”
Ethan nodded slightly. “Yeah, the boys will like that.”
“Good.” We got out of the car, and I half expected Pablo or Evan to come out of the shadows since Ethan was going to work. “Who will be with me tonight? Evan?”
“Oh.” He came around the back of the car and took our bags out of the trunk. “I guess Evan. We should call and tell them we’re back.”
“DoI still need security?” I questioned as we waited for the worker to inspect and check in thecar.
He thought for a moment. “No, I don’t think you do anymore.”
I nodded slightly. “All right.”
Ethan draped an arm across my shoulders. “But if you want one, I don’t mind calling the guys to help.”
“No.” I looked up into his blue eyes. “I’ll be okay.” It was going to be weird, but I couldn’t have security following me for noreason.
We took an Uber home, and after having a quick sandwich, Ethan went to work. I sat on the couch, not sure what to do with myself. The condo was quiet after having Maddie here for a few days, and just like the past several days, I thought about that night. I thought about what could have happened. So, with nothing to do and being able to go wherever I wanted to go again, I drove to LakeshoreUniversity.
I was nervous as I pulled up. Getting out of my car, I hurried across the parking lot toward the admin building. It was still snowing lightly, and the moment I walked into the building, warmth washed over my body. I was used to the snow since I lived in Denver and Chicago for most of my life, but I still wouldn’t mind being in Florida where my parents hadretired.
I was directed to the IT department and took the elevator down to the basement level. When I stepped out, I hesitated for a beat, took a deep breath, and continued. I stepped up to the front desk where a woman was sitting.
She looked up from her computer. “May I … May I help you?” shestuttered.
“I’m here to see the IT Director.”
“And you are?”
“Reagan McCormick.”
“Is he … is he expecting you?” shestuttered.
“No.” I shook my head. “But this will only take a minute.”
“Let me … let me see if he’s available.” The woman stood and walked down a large hallway, turned a corner, and was out ofsight.
I looked around the basement level. Even though it was an office of sorts, there were no decorations around. Though I supposed when all of your attention was in the cyber world and not the real world, it wouldn’t matter if there was a motivational picture hanging on thewall.
The woman returned, walking next to a man, and I drew my head back slightly as I realized who it was: Whiskey Neat. My heart began to race thinking about all the times I’d run into him: Judy’s, and then campus coffee shop on several occasions. How was henotinvolved?
