Page 37 of Sweet Dreams
The sudden sound of gunshots causes me to swerve into oncoming traffic; I crank the steering wheel hard to the right, slamming into an SUV. Another round of gunshots ping off the side of the truck. As I glance into the side mirror, I spot an SUVbeside me and a man in the passenger seat sticking a gun out the window. Suddenly, the mirror explodes as a bullet hits it.
“Leroy. I blame you.” I glare at him.
“I didn’t cause this. You were slow.” He pulls a gun out of his waistband and leans out the window.
I try to control the truck and ensure they don’t shoot a tire. That’ll be my worst nightmare.
“Hold on, I have to ram this asshole.” I jolt left into the SUV, making them lose control and drive into the pathway of a semi-truck. My bad.
“Good job. Now it’s just this prick, and he’s fighting me.”
“Well, aim for their fuckin tire or the windshield. Jesus. I can’t keep driving like a prick.”
“What the hell do you think I’ve been trying to do? It looks easier in the movies, you know.”
I would like to see him drive while being shot at. Not so easy.
“They haven’t shot the car up, have they?”
Leroy groans. “I hope not, but if they did, oh well. Bullet holes in a car are an easy fix.”
A bullet to my brain, not so much. I jerk the truck to the right and slam into the SUV, making them smack into a parked car.
“Just get the job done, Leroy. I’m not dying on your watch.”
He sits back in his seat. “I was getting to it. You have no patience.”
I’m glad he’s finally figuring that out; if only he realized it sooner. I’m only patient with a few things in life, and this isn’t one of them. I need to promise to myself that this is my last job; this shit isn’t worth it. I thought being in Holden was it for me, but I’m sure I burnt that bridge.
Leroy directs me to the drop off, another shitty warehouse, which doesn’t surprise me. The cops look for clean and busy locations. This ain’t it.
“I’ll help you with your problem next week if you want.”
“Yeah, that would be great. It needs to be dealt with smoothly, and I mean it.”
He waves me off. “Yes, so you’ve told me. I’m not gonna fuck it up. Have some faith.”
Faith? Not in this lifetime. That went out the door when Leroy told me I would never be shot at when I did a job. I’ve lost count.
I climb out of the truck and toss the keys to some rubberneck. My hands are done here, I follow Leroy into the warehouse because I still don’t trust him enough not to stiff me with my payout. And this payout will be the best one yet and stealing a six-figure car high up there. They can turn it around fast if theywant, but if they were smart, I would sit on it until Wolf calmed down.
I check my phone, and still nothing from Teagan. I’m unsure if I should reach out. Should I give her a few days? Or head back tonight and watch her. That is more appealing to me, and deep down, I know she enjoys it, too.
If I can keep up that charade, things will be better.
“Blackwell, head out of the sky.” Leroy tosses me an envelope.
I casually open it up and flip through the crisp one-hundred-dollar bills, ensuring my cut is accounted for. When I’m satisfied, I slip it into my back pocket.
“I’m out. I’ll call when I’m ready for you.” I salute him and walk out.
Now that I’m done, I’m not sure where to go. If I head home, Teagan will know I’m back and wonder why I’m avoiding her. Do I want to become a hermit during the day, just to be an avoidant?
I also wonder if she liked the gift that mask left behind in her shop. I want to see if she found it; her shop isn’t being touched, so I’m not even sure if she would go there today. Maybe I should’ve left it in her house. But that might have freaked her outtoo much.
I’m somewhat surprised Teagan never brought up her stalker to me. Is she scared to mention it, or does she not think it’s serious enough?
It's time for alittle more fun.