Page 40 of Pretend You Love Me

James: Has anyone heard from Brooklyn?

Eli: No

Declan: Nothing.

Keene: Nothing here either.

James: Juno?

Juno: No. But, if she had, I wouldn’t tell you.

James: Thanks for your help. Zadie, what about you?

Zadie: Nothing.

Will: Are you any closer to finding her?

James: No. She did a good job of disappearing. Or someone did a good job of making her disappear.

Zadie: Do you think someone took her?

Juno: She said she wanted to get away.

Eli: How do we know someone wasn’t making her say that? She could have been coerced.

James: Exactly.

Zadie: I’m really worried.

James: Me too. And fucking angry.

Juno: I miss her.

Chapter Nine

Brooklyn

I spend three days curled up on the couch reading and watching movies. I take breaks to make food and go on little walks down the lane and back. I’m feeling better every day. Stronger - less sore. Kip has mostly stayed holed up in his cabin other than dinners. He’s left for the evening twice.

I’m just trying to keep my distance. The less he knows about me, the better; plus my very presence clearly makes him irate, so distance is for the best.

Today is the day I’m supposed to start work. I feel up to the challenge physically. I sneak into the garage and grab the bike. It’s not literally stealing. Kip is just being a butthead about the whole thing.

I pull on the helmet and start down the lane. I’m pedaling fast. I need to get out of view as soon as possible. He’s going out later, so he won’t even miss me or the bike. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

Ok, riding a bike with a broken arm is not the easiest task. It’s not impossible either. Once I get onto the main road, I take a leisurely pace. The last thing I need is a bike crash that lands me with a cast on my other arm.

I have on a fairly short skirt which is riding up quite high as I pedal. I figure wearing something a little sexy is better for tips. Not too sexy, but a shorter skirt and a tight V-neck top.

Once I make it into town, I leave the bike on a rack near the restaurant. I shake out my hair and take a deep breath.

Ok, Brooklyn. You got this.Waiting tables with a broken wrist is not going to be easy, but I’ve done a lot of hard things in my life. This is just another one.

I push the doors open to Head and Tail, and Sadie waves me to come back by the bar.

“I’m glad you came. Beth is out sick tonight, and we are getting slammed already. McKenzie is here tonight. Have you met?” She nods in the direction of a tall, curvy brunette.

“No.” I reach out my hand.