Rules of Protection(26)

The scent triggered a childhood memory of my father. He used to keep a candy dish of his favorite mints on the nightstand next to his bed. Whenever I’d have a bad dream, Dad would give me one, calling it a magic bean, saying it helped chase away fears. It always worked before. Knowing what a nightmare the last two days had been, I couldn’t help but smile at Junior. His scent relaxed and comforted me as if my dad had handed me a mint.

“Heard you were coming home for a visit, Jake. About time.”

“It’s been a while,” Jake said, shaking hands with Junior. He motioned to me as I took a sip of my tea. “Junior, this is my girlfriend, Emily Foster.”

I choked. Girlfriend? When the hell did that happen?

Even in elementary school, the boys knew they had to ask if they wanted a girl to “go” with them. Of course, none of us ever knew where we were supposed to go. But at least they asked. Funny thing was, I didn’t know where Jake and I’d go, either. Guess it goes to show that all I ever needed to know about boys I learned in elementary. They’re stupid.

For a moment, Junior’s eyes pierced mine. They were hard, golden brown, like a hawk’s. Then he tipped his hat. “It’s a pleasure, Miss Foster.”

I let out a little cough to stifle the choking fit I kept at bay. “Please, call me…um, Emily.” God, I have to get used to this name.

He nodded and turned back to Jake. “You want to try some of the new items on my menu? Fried alligator and rattlesnake jerky.”

Jake looked at me with a sadistic grin, and I narrowed my eyes. “Nah, we’ll pass,” Jake said, chuckling. “Some other time.”

A sign pointed to the restrooms. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I’m going to go the ladies’ room.” I needed to throw up.

Jake rose, as if he were going to follow.

“No need to get up. I can plainly see where the bathrooms are, sweetie.” I made sure to add some syrup to my voice.

He set his jaw and gave me a one word warning. “Emily…”

“I’ll be right back. I promise.”

The quick glance he gave his watch told me he’d be timing me. I could feel his eyes burning into my back as I strolled away. Man, no trust at all in this fake relationship.

The bathrooms were down a short hallway on the opposite side of the restaurant. I kept an even pace, afraid if I hurried, Jake might think I was making a run for it and tackle me again. And I was tired of ending up on the floor.

The tidy bathroom smelled pleasantly sanitary. I got straight to business, then washed and dried my hands thoroughly. Though I had been in the bathroom only three or four minutes, I imagined Jake having a small panic attack as he waited for me to come back. The thought made me smile. I turned to leave, but instead let out a blood-curdling scream.

Seconds later, I heard Jake on the other side of the door. “Emily? Are you in there?” He tried the door, but the door locked from the inside.

“Oh, my God! Jake, help! Please!”

“Emily, open the door!”

“I can’t!”

“Damn it, Emily!” Jake pounded on the door. “What in the hell is going on in there? Open the door!”

I grabbed a weapon, but there wasn’t much to choose from in a bathroom. “He won’t let me!” I cried.

“Shit. Emily, I’m coming in.”

I heard a loud bang as he kicked the door in, splintering the wood. Jake and Junior stood in the doorway as it swung on its hinges. Jake rushed in, pointed his gun around the small bathroom, and saw me holed up in the corner by the sink, holding a toilet brush.

“Where is he?”

“Behind the door!”

Jake looked at me strangely but checked, anyway. He holstered his weapon, stomped his foot, and stormed out. Junior stepped in and peeked curiously behind the door.

He turned back, his face serious. “You’re damn lucky he didn’t kill you.”

“The big ass spider?”

“No. Jake. Of course, he still might once I tell him he owes me a new door.”

…

There were no clocks on the wall in the restaurant. It didn’t matter, though, because Texans seem to keep their own time. Guess it goes well with their lazy drawls. Jake hadn’t said two words since he’d walked out of the bathroom. We finished our meal in silence and left as quickly as possible.

The late afternoon sun had faded fast, and a dark, glittery curtain blanketed the sky. I watched out my window as a black wall of trees whizzed past.

“Still mad?”

He gave me a frosty look. “No.”

“You sure?”

“Not entirely.”

I sighed lightly. “I didn’t mean to—”

“You never mean to. That’s the problem. We need to establish some basic rules. You know, like never cry wolf.”

“Why are you so insistent about following rules all the time?”

Jake shrugged. “They keep people from doing stupid shit.”

I wasn’t sure, but I thought he was referring to me. “You mean like not warning someone before pretending she’s your girlfriend?”

His mouth twitched with a tiny smirk.

“Want to explain?” I asked.

Jake glanced at me. “Don’t freak out, okay? You and I are posing as a couple.”