Eye Candy

He seemed to actually think about it.

“You think she enjoys when meatheads like you hit on her, then find out who her boyfriend is, and turn into clingy stalker fans? And I heard that shit you said to her. You’re going to tweet at her boyfriend and let him know you’re watching out for her? Are you kidding me? Mason Kade might be a football god to you, but get a reality check. He’s a lethal machine, who turned his body into a weapon to bulldoze past running backs, linemen, and bigger assholes on the football field than you. Imagine facing him and telling him that you’re watching the woman he loves, and really think how that might go over.”

As she talked, his eyes got bigger and bigger. His face was close to Heather’s by the time she finished. He looked like a ghost.

Heather wasn’t done, though. “It’s obvious that we’re leaving, and here you are.” She waved a hand around. “Coming out here too. Following her, like that clingy stalker fan you became. Then you wave to her? Like you’re friends? Fucking get over yourself.”

Taylor leaned close to me. “She’s a female Logan.” She readjusted her dress. “I think I’m a little turned on. Is that wrong?”

I shook my head. “Share the story with Logan. He’ll love it.”

Our ride pulled up in front of us. Jason leaned over from the driver’s side to open the passenger door and shove it ajar. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting your text so soon. Too much fun, huh?”

“Thank God,” Taylor groaned and climbed in.

Courtney opened the back door and started to climb into the back seat. Grace hurried around to the other side. I reached for the door, but looked over my shoulder. Heather was still in Steve-O’s face, her cigarette lit and waving in the air.

Jason looked over Taylor’s seat to me. “Looks like you have a situation. Want me to play interference?”

Did he have to use a football metaphor? But I nodded. Jason was quick-witted and snarky. He could diffuse the situation in half the time it would take me. And in a flash, he did. He wasn’t a big guy. He was five ten and lean, and he was out his door and around the SUV in his pink polo, the collar turned out with gold on the inside, and white jeans that were molded to his skinny frame. Steve didn’t even see him coming.

Jason was there. He dipped down, put an arm through Heather’s legs, tucked his shoulders against her back, and looped his other arm around her waist. He picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder, and winked at the guys. “Have a nice night, folks. Only drink and drive if you’re the only one on the street.”

He carried Heather to the vehicle and deposited her in the seat next to mine. The door was shut. He was in his driver’s seat before Heather comprehended what happened. Then she started laughing. Taylor cracked a grin. Courtney and Grace dissolved into the same giggles they’d had at the house, and I—I met Jason’s gaze in the rearview mirror as he started to pull away from the curb. “Thanks for that.”

He grinned back. “No problem.”

We were moving past the crowd. Everyone was happy, even Heather, and I started to relax.

Then I looked to the right.

Standing there, facing us, was someone dressed from head to toe in a black robe. The face was gone. A white mask stared back at me, one that reminded me of the movie Scream.

There was no reason for my reaction, but my stomach dipped low.

A sick shiver wound down my spine.

That person was evil.

I knew it. I could feel it, and I couldn’t breathe for a moment.

I also knew, without a doubt, that we’d see that person again.

My blood went cold.





Chapter 5


Jason took us to Pete’s Pub, where Taylor used to work. She’d put in a good word for Nate, and we’d visited him throughout the past year, enough to know the regulars on a first-name basis. When we walked in, I was already starting to relax. I knew I wasn’t going in there as Mason Kade’s girlfriend. I was Sam to them.

Some of the staff and a few of the regulars waved to us, but I knew that when we took our booth in the corner, we’d be left alone. If we chose to be social, it was our decision. The bouncers would keep an extra eye out. They always did when Taylor was here, anyways.

The tequila, mixed with the Long Island iced tea, kept my body warm and floaty. The alcohol’s effect had waned a little at the previous place, but my last drink was slamming into my body again. I was gone. I was in the clouds now.

Dark hooker: airborne.

The world looked all nice and cozy from my point of view.

I smiled, knowing it was droopy and messy, but I didn’t care. I leaned into Heather’s shoulder. “I love you, you know that.”

The corner of her mouth curved down. “I went batshit at that guy. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“You have a man problem!” Courtney yelled from the other side of our booth. Her hand lifted and plopped on the table. A bowl of peanuts upended and rolled over, falling into her lap. She had no clue. “You’re hurting, and you’re drunk, and that’s never a good recipe.”

Heather grunted. “Works just fine for me.”

“No. I know.” She held her hand out in front of her, but paused. “I don’t know what I was saying.”

Taylor grabbed one of the peanuts on the table, opened it, and popped the shelled nut in her mouth. She said around it, “Man problems. Drinking.”

“Yes.” Courtney was off again. “You should talk about what happened. That might help all of us understand.” She gestured around the table. “It’d be good therapy too. We’ve all been there.” She burped and continued blinking, giving Heather an expectant look.

“The love of my life dumped me because his sister was arrested.”

Courtney screwed her face up; the blank look came back. “I’ve lost the ability to compute that. Your fiancé was arrested?”

Grace snorted. Her shoulders started shaking with soft laughter.

Taylor frowned at Courtney.

Heather didn’t react at all, merely drawling back, “His sister was arrested. And he’s not my fiancé.”

“Got it.” Courtney slapped her hand back down. “You were arrested and his sister took back the ring.”

Heather was reaching for a peanut, but paused. “No. What are you talking about—rings, and fiancés, and shit? No one’s engaged here.”

“Wait.” Courtney’s hand was back in the air. “Your sister was arrested and he dumped you because of that.” She frowned to herself, pulling her hand back to her lap. “Oh man. Is he in love with your sister?”

“Unless my brother’s had a sex change, and his sexual orientation switched too, then that’s not even possible.”

Courtney sucked in one of her cheeks, chewing on the inside of it. “I think I’m drunk.”

Taylor spit out her drink, or the little sip she’d taken. It landed on the table . . . at least I thought it did. I was looking for it as she said, “That’s the first logical thing you’ve said since we got here.”