Page 93 of Finding a Melody
“Laurens won’t do anything that will trash his reputation. If he’s becoming as popular as you said he is, he’ll be too cautious. He won’t do anything to jeopardize his position, and sexually harassing a high school girl will definitely get him in hot enough water that he won’t be able to get any more business.”
“We both know he’ll be able to easily bury anything he does,” Bryan whispered as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed to my home. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“Work. I need to get some done.”
“Mind if I hang around a little bit?”
“Not going to Seth’s? Or is this a babysitting thing so I’m not alone.”
“Seth ended up going into the office. He doesn’t know how to not work, and I think the idea of having to take any days off bothers him too much. I have an extra key to his place, but I don’t know. I just don’t want to go home right now, and I also don’t want to be completely alone.”
“Is something happening?”
“The usual. My mother is around more often these days. It’s just better to avoid her.”
“You’re always welcome to my home. But I really do need to work.”
“That’s fine. I’m not a needy person. You do your thing. I’ll just do homework, maybe watch some TV after.”
That sounded boring to me, but if that was what he wanted to do, then I wasn’t going to stop him. We first swung by the school so I could grab my poor lonely car. The parking lot was practically empty, with only a few straggling cars. Even practice was over for everyone.
As I drove back, Bryan followed behind. And I was sure both of us were on the lookout for anyone tailing us.
We got back to my place, and I parked in the garage to give Bryan more space in my driveway. Before we could get inside though, a gray car pulled up along the road. I froze staring at it, not familiar with it.
“Cadence? You know who that is?” Bryan asked in a hard voice.
“No.”
A moment later the door opened and Roman crawled out. I released a sigh as he straightened and looked over at us.
“What’s going on?” Bryan asked. “Why is he here?”
“I ran into him last week and he gave me his card. He said he can help so I called while I was in the hospital.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Bryan seemed upset that I hadn’t mentioned it.
“I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention to hide it.”
Roman strolled over confidently, a folder in his hand. He wore dark jeans and a black sweater, sunglasses pushed up on top of his head. He walked boldly, and in a way that screamed for people not to try to start shit with him. “Cadence, I’m here to give you that update I promised.”
“Hi,” I said meekly. “I didn’t expect you now.”
“Sorry about that. I was going to come by sooner, but I had to work out some issues first.”
“Right.” I looked down at the folder, no longer able to hold back my curiosity. “What’s that?”
“Information for you, at least what you’re allowed to know, and also a plan from my side.” Roman nodded at Bryan. “Bryan, how’s it going?
“Good. Didn’t know you were going to be helping us.”
I grabbed the folder hesitantly and pushed open the front door, letting them slip in.
“Here to look at the security system and see how we can keep your girl safe.”
My face turned hot at that last part and I nearly choked on my spit. I barely managed to keep my composure as I put in the code for the security system.
“I put in the system, want me to give you the walk through?” Bryan asked.