Page 74 of Things I Read About

“Right, I’m sorry, this is really bad timing,” I stammer, not sure what to say. I didn’t plan to have a stalker right as his pre-season practices are picking up.

“It’s okay, babe. We’ve got the team charity thing in a few nights.”

“Can’t wait.” I smile wide, happy for an easy win.

Joe gets the check, and we make our way outside. Only once we’re through the doors of the steakhouse does Nate reappear. Joe becomes visibly irritated, looking back to where Nate waits by the wall of the building.

Nate’s not really watching Joe and me, but he’s also notnotwatching.

“Hey man, uh, could you go get the car?” Joe flashes a strained smile.

Nate doesn’t even look at him as he responds, “I am not a chauffeur. She doesn’t leave my sight.”

“Oh, right. Sorry.” Joe takes my face then, angles to block Nate out. “I’ll text you later?”

I nod and he leans down for another quick kiss-and-grope. As he straightens, Nate pushes off the wall, ready to go.

Joe tries again. “Well, uh, I guess thanks for keeping an eye on my girl for me.”

Nate nods once but still doesn’t look our way.

I give Joe a small wave as he turns to head to his car. I look at my bodyguard, towering beside me.

He scans the parking lot thoroughly. So thoroughly, it freaks me out. It’s really dark out here.

I’m about to reach out and grab Nate’s forearm but he takes my elbow and we’re on the move through the lot.

He opens the car door for me, shuts me in and then climbs in himself. Then he drives. Without a word. Without even a facial tick. Without a single clue as to what he is thinking.

After a long stretch of silence, I can’t take the tension anymore. “Where were you?”

“What?” he asks, eyes staying on the road.

“In the restaurant, you disappeared.”

“You’re welcome.” He glances at the rearview mirror, then changes lanes, then glances at it again. “Didn’t think you’d want me loitering around during a date.”

“Oh. Right.” I watch him watch everything around us as he drives. “But where were you?”

“Behind you, in a corner.” He glances at me. “Wondering if anyone would slip something into your purse, which you left open and hanging on the back of your chair,giving everyone passing by easy access.”

I sigh and slump down further into the leather seat.

He, in contrast, sits up. “Also noted that your phone was sitting out on the table when you went to the restroom, and that same moment was one of many times Joe could have slipped something into your drink.”

“Joe wouldn’t do that.”

Nate clenches his jaw and seems to simmer a bit. “That’s probably true. He passed his background check with flying colors.”

“Why are you saying all of that like it’s a bad thing?”

“Joe is fine. You on the other hand…”

“What about me?”

He grips the steering wheel like it’s offended him. We turn into the first gate of Sadie’s giant property, and Nate eyes the guard. He also scans the black fields around us. The tree-lined drive is long with some streetlights, but the darkness beyond is thick.

I can’t believe I was considering staying out here by myself.