“Are you offering?”
“No. I like being alive. I’d rather not end up on Unsolved Mysteries. Did you know they filmed new episodes of that show? Pretty good. Minus the aliens. I don’t so much go in for that stuff.”
“The truth is out there,” I said somberly.
“Let me guess. You want me to cancel the date. How’d you find out about it? I didn’t tell a soul. My family might think I’m annoying, but they don’t want to find my body parts strewn on the highway.”
“Gina told me.”
There was a long pause. “Okay, well, if that’s the deal, I’m bowing out. I’m not looking to be the bone in your tug-o-war sex games.”
“As intriguing as that sounds, you’re not. She told me when we were having a moment.”
“Yeah, okay. Color me officially out of this situation. I wish you both luck. That’s the truth. You’ve been doing this dance with her for so long, it’s time you stop circling. If you don’t, the next guy may not be so willing to step aside.”
“I hear you. I really do.” I rubbed my temple where an ache was brewing. “I’ve been a fool, but I’m trying to fix it. So, can you not cancel that date?”
“As part of your kinky foreplay? Nah, man. I’m all for getting some the way that gets your rocks off, but I’ve gotta pass.”
I couldn’t do anything but laugh. Exhaustion had set in for sure—both physical and emotional.
“No, I want to take your place. But I want it to be a surprise.”
“So she’ll actually show up?” he asked drily.
“Something like that. But that’s where your part ends. You don’t have to appear in chainmail or anything.”
“You’re lucky that I’m a teacher and actually know what that is.”
“I’m lucky in a lot of ways lately. So, can you help me out? I’ll consider it a huge favor.”
“Hmm, getting in good with the sheriff. I could make use of that. Unless this is another way to try to off me. You seem like a wily sort.”
“You have a very suspicious nature.”
“Let’s just say I’ve had to climb out of a few bedroom windows and hide in a couple of closets. Never of my doing either. Sometimes you aren’t told the full score.”
“That’s not Gina. She was honest with you. I just didn’t step up like I should have. I’ve learned.”
“We’ll see. I don’t want to hear I played a part in hurting her. She’s a nice girl. Don’t screw up, Brooks.”
I exhaled. “I won’t. And if I do, I have a cute baby I can use as a distraction.”
“Right.” He paused. “Uh, say what? Where did you get a baby, man?”
I smiled as I climbed the stairs to check on her again. “I got lucky.”
Fourteen
“I shouldn’t do this. It’s not right.”
“Why the hell not?” Luna asked.
She was standing at my side in the triple mirror in Kinleigh & August’s Attic’s dressing room and acting as my stylist, since I wasn’t used to getting all dolled up. My most usual uniform was jeans and a top and hair in a ponytail.
Tonight, she’d swept my hair up into an updo with a few strategic ringlets tumbling to my shoulders. My makeup was tasteful, but it was more than I usually wore.
She fluffed the Christmas red skirt of my dress with its gauzy, shimmering overlay. The top was a vintage style with a sweetheart neckline that perfectly showcased the pear-shaped pink quartz necklace hanging just above my cleavage. Luna had picked it out for me from Kinleigh’s jewelry case, since she was an expert on crystals and their meanings.