Blackout (17 page)

“Hey.” He sounds groggy.

“Dare, I’m sorry to call you so late.”

“Why are you calling me at all?”

“The cops are paying you a visit tonight. I’m sorry.”

“Why, Teal?” The irritation punctuates my name.

“Someone’s been leaving me daisies.”

“Well that’s nice that you think I did that.” The sarcastic honey drips from his tone.

“Of course not.” I don’t think so.

“What’s wrong with getting flowers? I thought all you beach house girls liked getting them.”

“Someone left them on my bed this time. That night of the beach party you walked me home I found some on the back porch.”

“Oh?” I can hear him repositioning himself in his soft bed. He’s silent for a moment. “You hate daisies. You like swamp primrose.”

He remembers. I lick my lips again, scolding myself for doing so.

“There’s something I should tell you,” he says.

“What, Dare?”

“Just before you left for Paris, I followed you once.”

A slow burn in my chest forms. I can’t decide if this is good or horribly wrong. “Why?”

“The guys at school kept telling me how beautiful you’d turned out. I’d heard you were at a party on the beach, so I went. You were leaving anyway. I didn’t even get to see you before you left, but this man followed you.”

My breath strangles in my throat. “What did he look like?”

“It was dark. I didn’t see him, but I made sure you got home okay. You left a couple days later to France.”

It’s worse than I thought. Before crawling into bed, I toss the daisies into the trash. Tears crest in the corners of my eyes.

“Are you all right? Teal answer me.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and plop down on my pillow. “I’m here. The cops think it could be someone new.”

“Teal, I can’t talk to you about this. You blacked out at my place when I brought up that day. The man following you was smoking. That’s all I remember.”

“What?” The pungent odor of a cigarette burns in my nose. It’s what I sometimes smell before I blackout.

“Will you reconsider helping me with the court records?” I ask.

“Teal, no. There’s no reason to. I can’t go there. I dropped out my senior year, my grades tanked. I can’t even get into a community college, let alone vet school. It’s not worth it. I’m stuck with this life, so don’t ask anymore, and if your dad caught you with me, he’d threaten to take college away from you too.”

“No, he wouldn’t.” He would stop me from seeing Dare, but it would be easier for me if I knew Dare’s side of the story. If only I could stay conscious to hear it.

“I’ve finally moved past that day. I can’t go back, not now. You should forget it too. It’s what’s safest for you.”

I’ll have to fill out the motion in the morning and get this going on my own. “I have to know. I can’t keep going on like this.”

“Teal?” His voice is low and husky, unsettling me in the most primal way. “Thanks for the heads up. Goodnight.”

Early the next morning I fax my motion to request the court records from the county courthouse and post my payment to file the petition online. I won’t let this stalker stop me from gaining my sanity, though he stole most of my sleep last night.

In the kitchen, Lulu is already up cleaning. Wiping the counter down, she knocks off a glass. It breaks and scatters across the floor.

Tears well up in her eyes. “Oh shoot. I can’t do anything right anymore.”

When she bends over to pick up the glass, I stop her. “I’ll get it.” The shards could cut her feet and hands.

She wipes her face, the tears mashing into the crinkles around her watery eyes. “I should do it. I’m of no use to anyone. Might as well put me out to pasture.”

I wrap my arms around her shrunken frame. “Lulu, I need you, so that’s not going to happen. I don’t have a mother.” I don’t want to grow up without my grandmother. “We’re going to find you something to do besides sitting in the house and watching TV.” I don’t know what’s available for seniors with poor eyesight around here.

She forces a grin. “There’s that senior center up the road. It’s for old people, but I’ve been dying to try it.” Her hand flies up to her mouth, and she laughs. “Oh, wrong choice of words.”

She hesitates. “But I can’t leave you here alone, not after last night.”

“I have to work this afternoon, and I don’t know how late I’ll be back. I’d feel better if you had friends.” We didn’t discuss hours or anything. “I’ll worry about you since I won’t be home. Oh, and I’m supposed to have a date tonight.”

“Good for you. I bet he’s a looker.” She winks at me.

“He’s very hot. I won’t stay out late.”

“Don’t worry about me. I have the phone with the big numbers if I need to call the police. You should enjoy yourself.”

“What about the senior center?”

“I’ll take a taxi, and I’ll call you when I get home.” She pats my hand. “With my eyesight and all, if I accidentally pick up an old geezer, let me know if he’s not good enough.”

I grin.

The center has a list of activities online Lulu could do, bingo for the seeing impaired, shuffleboard, and crafts. I called the place to ensure the staff will help her. I don’t like her cooped up in the house all day.

A smile almost forms on my lips until the thought of the daisies left on my bed spoil my outlook. “Deal. Now go sit down, and I’ll bring you breakfast.”

After I clean up our meal and help Lulu into a taxi, I meet Kami on the beach, mainly to catch up on much-needed sleep.

I admire the swimsuit Dare picked out. The cut rides high up on my ass and shows off what boobs I do have. It makes me feel not quite naked, yet sexy. I pull the cover-up over my shoulder while knowing what lies beneath.

On the beach, Kami rests on a blanket reading a book. Sandpipers chase the tide foam, poking their beaks into the sand for coquinas. A gull cries overhead before swooping down into the sea.

I unfold my chair next to hers and tell her about the stalker.

“Oh, Teal,” she says sympathetically. “You don’t need this to go along with your blackouts. I’ll have Remy come by more often.”

“Thanks,” I say, though the local deputies so far haven’t eased my concerns. “The alarm company is supposed to install a security system this afternoon while I’m at work.”

“That’s good. We’ve had one for years, and Mom swears by it.”

I pull out Mama’s book. I don’t understand why I keep reading it. The further I get into it the more twisted the story becomes.

The owner of the chateau expects the women to wear clothing that allows easy access to them. They don collars and wrist bracelets and wear masks and rings in their loins, and the men sometimes whip the submissives. A few times I sicken, and my world tilts sideways.

I toss the book in my beach bag. “This is really awful. How can women like this?”

“Like what?” Kami leans over to see the book that I’ve dismissed.

“These men abuse O, and she lets them because she’s in love? It’s horrible. I can’t imagine being chained up and beaten then having several men having sex with me.”

Her eyes grow wide. “Wow, and that was your mom’s?”

“Some guy named Francois gave it to her. Maybe she didn’t read it.” I pick up the book again and turn it over in my hands. No earmarks or rumpled pages exist. It doesn’t look worn, let alone read. “This guy is sick for thinking she’d enjoy it.”

“He may have wanted your mom to try those things. She left Paris and came home with your dad. Francois might’ve scared her off. It’s not for me. Would you ever?” Kami points at the book.

“Heaven’s no. I would never let a man treat me that way.” But then I think of the way Dare took Shannon. That’s not the same. He wasn’t sharing her, but yet Randy says she sleeps around. Does Dare?

Kami puts her John Green novel down. “Hey, tomorrow, my boyfriend’s working,” she says. “What do you want to do?”

I throw my baseball cap at her. “Nice to know I’m sloppy seconds.”

“Oh, don’t be that way.”

I know I shouldn’t ask, but I want to see Dare race. “I got a job. I don’t know if I have to work or not, but we could go to the car races in Raleigh.” I could probably ask to work the nightshift.

She tugs her shades down. “No doubt to see Darius race. You should not go there.”

“He didn’t touch me.” Unless I count the most recent times, like when he carried me, the dance, and yesterday, his hand resting on my hair and later on my waist. He’s touched me many times since my return from Paris. From the memories alone, goosebumps march up and down my arms.

Kami props herself up on her elbows. “You don’t really remember what happened in the swamp that day. What if you’re wrong?”

She’s never questioned me like this before. “He’s not the problem.” He certainly isn’t the person stalking me.

Kami brushes a stray curl back from her face, then she gives me one of her wicked-I’m-up-to-no-good grins. “Has he kissed you? Then you’d know.”

“Know what?” I ask, though I completely understand the implications. I’d know how I really felt about him.

“If he did what everyone thinks he did. The kiss tells all. You will know whether or not you’re into him.” She waggles her brows.

“I know he didn’t molest me, so quit messing with me.” Dare doesn’t want us to date.

I can’t tell if she’s teasing me or being serious, but I know how I could make that kiss happen. What would it be like? “Why do you even say that?”

“If you kiss him, and you feel like your insides are melting, then he’s a problem but in a really good way.” She rotates onto her back to face the sun. “It’ll be good to go to the races. Ryan goes there all the time. Every time he asks me to go, I just groan. Maybe I should learn to like something he likes. We don’t have much in common, other than we’re both really good kissers.” She lets out a little laugh.

I check the time on my phone. “I have to get ready for work.”

“You don’t need to work,” she scoffs.

“I know, but I can’t be a beach bum all summer like you,” I tease.

A grin sweeps across her pretty face, showing white teeth that glow against her almond skin. “I need to keep up my honey-colored complexion.”

That comes natural to her. “Some day I’ll have to work.”

“I’m in no hurry for the real world,” she says. “Do you need a ride?”

“I’ll take my bike. I have no idea how long I’m supposed to work today.”

“Call me if you need a ride. If I’m around, I’ll pick you up.” She studies me for a moment. “You shouldn’t ride your bike at night, especially with a broken arm.”

I pack up my things. “I won’t need a ride later. I have a date with Graham.”

“Tell me all,” she says. “You left out that tidbit.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” He’s what the doctor ordered, single male with no attachments or hang-ups. “I don’t get off until eight or nine. Would you check on Lulu before you go out?” What if the stalker gets in while I’m gone?

“I’ll make sure she’s home and locked up tight.” She makes a phone with her hand. “Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Since it’s between lunch and dinner, only a few bikers sit at the bar. Carolina waves me over to take a seat. “Here’s the application I need you to fill out. If you could work until nine tonight and tomorrow the nightshift, that would be great. We have a band on the weekend, starting tonight, and two bouncers work at night. Sometimes it gets a little crazy.”

Awesome. Kami and I can go to the races and make it back here by six.

“I can do this.” I don’t understand why I feel comfortable here. An itch tickles my arm, so I pull out the pen I keep inside my cast and scratch underneath it. “I know I’m one-armed, but I should be able to do most things.”

“I have faith in you.” Carolina pats my back then fills a patron’s beer. “Lacey, Ella, and Shannon will be on the afternoon shift with you.”

I keep my disgust from replacing my fake grin. “Do you need to train me?” I’ve never waited on anyone until yesterday.

“Be polite, but you don’t have to put up with anyone touching you inappropriately, like grabbing your ass. Some of the old guys may give you a hug or ask for a pic, especially the tourists. Use your judgment.”

“What’s the dress code?” I’d forgotten to ask when I spoke with her last night.

“Get yourself a Harley’s t-shirt and I prefer shorts or skorts. The boys like to see tan legs in the summer and a tight tee doesn’t hurt for tips either.”

I have on a skirt for my date tonight with Graham and matching Converse for being on my feet for long hours. He should drop by later to find out what time I get off.

I pick out a lilac tee with Harley’s flying fish on the back and the logo on the front. I put it on in the bathroom.

A bubbly blonde bounces in. She’s petite and cute. “Hi, I’m Ella. We lost two waitresses last week, so I’m glad you got hired.”

“Why did they quit?” I hope this isn’t a bad place to work.

“One had her baby, and some wealthy man swept Susannah off her feet, so she moved to Miami.”

I laugh. “Lucky her.” Though I don’t really need a man with money. I want one who balances me. As an international lawyer, I plan on paving my own way if I can eventually drive to work. It’s good that graduating law school is several years out.

“Wish I’d find a rich man.” She touches up her mascara and glosses her lips before heading out. “See you on the dance floor.”

After I tug on the shirt and touch up my eyes and cheeks, I hurry out. Several tables have filled up. The customers seat themselves and several sit out on the covered porch where the dunes meet the sand and the rolling waves. It’s another perfect day in the Outer Banks.

“Do you want inside or out?” Ella calls to me.

“If it’s okay, outside.” After being in Paris for two years, I miss and love the sun and the heat.

“Once Lacey and Shannon come in, I’ll join you there. They’re indoor girls.”

“Sounds good.” Maybe Shannon won’t notice I’m here.

I take several orders, going in a specific direction, so I get the meals right. Burgers and the fried clams are what most of them order, though a few try the conch salad or the fresh cobia and shrimp.

The bikers hang out inside, but mostly families and couples occupy the beachfront under big shady umbrellas that have the Harley’s logo stamped onto them. The sea breeze leaves its salty, damp scent on the wooden deck and in the air while the inside smells of fried food and hops.