Page 64 of To Go
“Stay a while longer?” she asks, and I can’t say no to her, so I nod. We said no sleepovers, however I’m not giving up the chance to hold her for a little while longer. “I’m going to change into something comfy then,” she whispers before lowering herself back. She runs her hands down my chest before dashing into the bathroom.
I sit back down on her bed, my heart racing from that one kiss, when my phone rings. It’s late as hell, so I have no idea who could be calling me. My gut curdles when I look at the display name.
“Beck,” I say the moment I answer. “What’s up?”
“James.” The way he says my name is not good. He lets the silence hang there awkwardly for a moment. “Tell me you didn’t.”
“Didn’t what?” I try to make my voice a little intimidating. Maybe if I play dumb and a little scary he’ll choose self-preservation and back off. It usually works.
“Tell me you didn’t fuck your sister’s best friend.”
I stay silent, letting his accusation hang between us.
“Oh, come on man!” Beck whines. “I don’t want to know these things!”
“Then you shouldn’t have asked.”Dumbass. “Why would you, anyway?”
“So, you’re familiar with our camera system, correct?”
“Uh huh.” This can’t be good.
“And since you helped with the installation, you remember where we put them all.”
“Yeah.”
“So, you’ll remember when I suggested that with all that valuable inventory, having one in the back storage room would be a good idea?” A wave of nausea hits me.
“Nope,” I gulp.
“Thought so. I wanted to give you a call, a gentle reminder, if you will.” Beck’s voice is stony and sharp. I huff.
“How deep is the shit I’m in?” I ask. May as well cut to the chase.
“Minimal. I’m deleting the footage, and I’m not going to tell Hazel.”
“Thanks, man.”
“BUT I will not lie to her if she asks.”
“Fair enough.” It would be unfair to ask him to lie to his partner. And Hazel’s so kind, I wouldn’t want to lie to her either. “And Stella?”
“We don’t have to tell her. She’s a good kid, so I’m writing this off as you being a bad influence. She doesn’t have to know. I’m not airing your dirty laundry to anyone.”
“Thanks. I’m not trying to… It’s just, Nessa…”
“I’m not telling her either. But do you know what you’re doing, man?” I can almost hear Beck messing up his hair on the other end of the line.
“Fuck if I know.”
“I would figure it out before she does. Goodnight, James.” Beck hangs up before I can respond. I hang my head in my hands. I could have gotten us into serious trouble tonight. This could have affected the band’s deal with Beck, it could have screwed up Stella’s job. Every reason that this is a bad idea comes roaring to life in my head.
What if Nessa had been going through the footage for something? Or come into the bar? What if Beck wasn’t as lenient? What if the band found out I had put a solid thing in jeopardy?Each thought comes through louder than the last until I’m struggling to catch my breath.
Stella chooses that moment to come out of the bathroom, wearing threadbare sweats and my pilfered hoodie.
I don’t need to stress about all that right now. I just need to cuddle my girl.
My girl.I hadn’t thought of anyone that way since Beth. Now, those memories seem like a placeholder, saving a spot for the right person, because I have never felt that as deeply, as possessively as I do now.
