Page 71 of Like You Know
I wokeup with Jet’s arm draped over my waist, the sheets tangled around our legs. Maybe it was the comforting presence of a strong body at my back, or maybe just that the trauma was no longer so fresh, but I didn’t jerk into wakefulness in a panic as I had the day before. I had that hazy moment of blissful ignorance. My brain was slower to wake up and, therefore, slower to remember the situation I was in.
I thought I’d wanted this moment of respite when I woke up yesterday, but now that I was having it—and the crash of emotions that came when the memories rushed back in—I realized I’d been an idiot. This was so much worse. It was like experiencing it all over again.
Jet must’ve felt my body stiffen, because he tightened his grip on me and kissed the back of my head.I’ve got you, he seemed to be saying without words.
“Are you supposed to be sleeping on the job?” I asked.
He yawned before answering. “There was a patrol car parked out front until six. I’ve been on shift and awake since then. Don’t worry, you’re safe.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. I didn’t feel safe—physically or emotionally. I had no idea where we stood, and I didn’t have the emotional bandwidth to even think about it.
Instead of trying to come up with a response, I got up and headed for the shower.
My bedroom was empty when I got out, and as I headed downstairs, I could make out several voices coming from the kitchen.
“Bullshit!” Harlow dragged the word out as she yelled it. I could make out Donna’s voice next but not what she was saying.
Keeping my steps light, I crept toward the kitchen. As I rounded the corner, the scene and conversation came into focus.
Jet was sitting at the island, and Donna, Harlow, and Mena stood on the opposite side with their arms crossed and their stares lethal. They were tearing him a new one.
I almost felt sorry for him.
“Do any of you seriously think I intended for any of this shit to happen?” Jet asked, sighing deeply. My friends remained silent. Only a brief glance from Mena told me they knew I was there. “I was supposed to go in, make friendly with the students, and dig up information. My assignment wasn’t to single out Amaya, or to fucking fall for her. Jesus, they could have my badge for this if they really decide to throw the book at me. The only thing that’s saving me is the fact she was eighteen before anything happened—and that everyone’s too damn busy to worry about ethical gray areas right now. I didn’t set out to hurt anyone. Especially her.”
“Yeah, well, you did,” Donna declared, her no-bullshit lawyer face on. “And it would serve you right if you did lose your job.”
Jet laughed, kind of maniacally. “I’m not sure I even care anymore. All I’ve ever wanted was to make detective, and I did it with this task force, but all I can think about is Amaya—being with her, seeing her safe and happy. I love her, and I just want this bullshit to be over.”
“So, what do you expect us to do now?” Harlow popped her hip, full of attitude.
“Leave,” Jet said, sounding impatient. “None of you should be here right now. And since we all want the same thing—to be there for Amaya—maybe cut me some fucking slack.”
“Don’t use that tone with my friends,” I snapped, walking into the kitchen.
Jet sat up ramrod straight, his eyes doing a quick scan of my body. “You should’ve heard how they were talking to me earlier.”
“They’re protecting me.” I shrugged, getting a bowl of cereal ready.
“I’mprotecting you,” he argued.
“I don’t need your protection.”
“You just said your friends were protecting you!”
“I meant it figuratively. Like, emotionally and shit. You’re saying it literally, and I don’t think it’s necessary.” I’d spent my entire shower thinking about this. “I don’t think I’m in any danger. They must have taken Mom because of whatever she got mixed up in at BestLyf and maybe because of Calvin. They might be after him too—he was pretty twitchy yesterday—but I don’t think they give a shit about me. I’ve had nothing to do with anything. I didn’t even connect the dots that Mom was mixed up with these whacks until the other day.” God, was that only the other day? It felt like a year ago, and it wasn’t lost on me that my panic in that moment had been warranted.
“You sound like Hopkins,” Jet grumbled. The girls and I exchanged glances at the mention of the detective Harlow had dealt with after all the craziness with Irene. At least we could be sure Jet was reporting to Detective Hopkins now and was on the same task force.
“So, Hopkins didn’t think I needed protection either, huh?” I shoveled cereal into my mouth, slurping and crunching it obnoxiously.
“No. No one thought it was worth our limited resources.” He scoffed.
“But you convinced them otherwise?” Mena pushed.
“Yes. Because I refuse to leave Amaya unprotected and vulnerable.”
I sighed and gave the girls a pleading look.What am I supposed to do? Yeah, he lied, but he has a pretty good excuse for it. And he loves me.