Page 10 of Right Number, Wrong Man

COLT

I stop upstairs at my place to take off my jacket and button-down, leaving the belt holster with my pistol, too. It’s all too recognizable to Hailey and for my devious plan to work, I need to look anonymous. Before I head out again, I grab a shot of liquid courage, but it’s no use.

I round the block and slip into a dim alley across from the Retro Reel , hiding behind a dumpster.

It’s my usual spot to keep an eye on Hailey when she stays late for the cleanup shift.

I can’t sit at home and twiddle my thumbs not knowing if she got home safely, even if it’s just a few steps to her apartment building.

And nowadays, I’m not taking risks with a serial killer running wild.

But tonight, I’m not simply gonna watch her.

The longer I wait, the faster my heart pounds, and I keep wiping my clammy palms on my jeans.

Shit, I’ve broken men with these hands and felt nothing. I’ve taken shots from a mile away without batting an eye. But anything to do with Hailey gives me the jitters like I’m the one staring down the barrel of a gun .

Hell, that would actually be less nerve-racking.

I thought I could never have her. The day I left, I abandoned all hope and made my home in the shadows. No light at the end of the tunnel. No happiness without her.

Just darkness.

But now there’s a chance—a tiny, time-limited chance to possess a part of her—and I can’t help following her radiance like a moth to a flame.

I know I’ll get burned, but I can’t stop myself.

So I wait.

And I watch.

When Hailey pushes the cleaning trolley down the hallway to the screening room, I walk across the road and sneak into the lobby, locking the door behind me again.

I skulk after her, taking a left to the projector room above the auditorium. Next to shelves of film roll is a small desk with a computer for admin stuff and I turn it on. The monitor is a decent light source that won’t attract attention with the projector off.

Through the projection window, I peek into the lit screening room.

Hailey stands in row three, hands on her hips.

Her face pulls into a grimace as she takes a pair of rubber gloves from a box on the cleaning trolley and puts them on.

Cringing, she lifts a squashed soda cup from the floor, dropping it into a trash bag while her mouth moves.

I bet she’s cussing out whoever made the mess.

I’ve never seen another woman who’s so effortlessly stunning, no matter what she does—even cleaning. She’s always been like this, though, and time has only made her more beautiful.

In the grand scheme, not much has changed through the years of running from my feelings. Denial was my lifeline when I left town, but I’m still as obsessed with this woman as I was the moment I first laid eyes on her.

And now, my brother is no longer standing in my way.

I swallow thickly as I take Mike’s phone from my pocket and type out the message I came up with.

Me

Ma’am, I would like to apologize for my irascible temper and impolite behavior from last night. If you allow me, I’d like to explain myself and make proper amends.

My hands tingle with nerves as I press send.

I can pinpoint the moment Hailey receives my message. She takes off her gloves and slides her phone from her dress pocket, the screen illuminating her wide eyes and raised brows.

Seconds pass, but they seem like hours.

Suddenly her fingers fly over the keyboard and soon after, a notification pops up on my screen.

Hailey

You get one chance.

My gut lurches. If I fuck this up, I ain’t getting another shot.

No pressure.

Okay, I can do this. I know exactly what I wanna say, but my hands tremble so badly I turn into Butterfingers McGee. Every word comes out garbled. I curse, take a deep breath, and roll my shoulders the same way I do before I pull the trigger on a target.

Then I start over.

Me

Thank you kindly. Last night, I let the bourbon do the talking, but my momma raised me better than that. She’d smack me upside the head if she knew I was rude to a pretty lady like yourself.

In the auditorium, Hailey tilts her head as she reads my message. A smirk lifts one corner of her mouth and sunshine fills my chest. I made her smile for the second time tonight!

Hell to the yeah!

Hailey

You said you’d make it up to me, but so far, you’ve just made excuses.

I huff a laugh. There’s my bratty Spitfire, coming out to play.

Me

Glad you asked. I thought of a way to atone for my sins, but bear with me for a moment, please.

Hailey

I’m listening…

Me

My dad once told me about the time he introduced my momma to his parents. She wanted to impress his folks and wore a white dress she’d bought for the occasion. They sit down for dinner together and everything is going great, but not even a minute in, my momma drops a splotch of gravy into her lap.

Dad notices her turning red as a beet from embarrassment. And what does he do?

Hailey

You tell me!

Me

He takes a spoonful of gravy and spills it all over the good tablecloth, pretending it’s an accident. His momma—my grandma—is furious. She gives him a proper earful and my grandpa joins in, too.

During all this shouting, my momma sneaks to the bathroom to wash out the stain and nobody’s the wiser when she returns to the table.

Hailey

Is there a point to your story? It’s cute, your dad embarrassing himself so your mom won’t feel humiliated. But what does that have to do with our situation?

Me

Wait and see, Sugar.

Heart racing, I sit down on the chair by the desk and undo my belt.

Dad always says a man’s outfit ain’t complete without a belt, a hat, and a pistol. I’ve come to think he’s right and after serving for so long, I feel naked without a gun, but losing my identity is what I need right now.

I gotta forget who I am and forget that I’ll leave. I gotta push away reality and live in this moment like it’s my last.

My mouth goes dry as I open the zipper and reach into my pants, taking out my cock. I stroke myself to the thought of Hailey’s videos, to the ringing of her moans in my ears. Despite my skyrocketing anxiety, it doesn’t take long until I’m fully hard.

I open the camera app and aim the phone at my crotch. After double checking that nothing recognizable is in the frame, I hit record.

A moan escapes me as I swirl my thumb over the tip of my dick. I grip tighter, stroking faster.

I imagine it’s her hand teasing me. Her fingers squeezing my length. My hips buck as I remember how her virgin pussy wrapped my cock in soft, wet heat. Not that I ever cared about purity, but knowing I was her first still drives me wild to this day.

I finish the recording, open the messages to Hailey, attach the video, and send it.

My pulse surges into my throat, more doubt creeping in with every quick beat.

What if she hates the way the piercings look? Is she gonna be into this whole sexting thing or is she gonna think I’m a creep and block me instantly?

Couldn’t blame her if she gets spooked. A girl’s gotta be careful nowadays. Too few guys know how to be a gentleman and too many simply take what they want without consent.

I hope Hailey won’t think I’m trying to force her to do something she doesn’t want. If she tells me to back off, I will.

The video is meant to make her feel better about accidentally sending all of hers. Kind of a show me yours and I’ll show you mine deal. But I know myself well enough to admit I ain’t doing this just for her.

I’m also doing it because I’m crazy about my dead brother’s wife, and this time, I’m not willing to give her up.