Finding Alice (Alice Clark Series) (6 page)

“Excuse me? I’m sick.”

“Alice, do not bullshit me. You have a huge dent in the side of car and your face looks bruised under those giant, ridiculous glasses. Just tell me what happened.”

“I can’t.” I wanted to but how could I?

“I’m here for you. You think I go to this bar because it’s convenient?” I sat in silence, staring at the air vents on the dashboard. “And what is with that scarf? It’s hot as hell out.”

“Cole, I just can’t,” I pleaded. How could this be the moment he was going to give me the “I’m into you” signals?

“It can’t be that bad,” he said.

“Not that bad?” I said feeling the anger rise. “Pull the car over.”

“You are not getting out of this car on the side of the highway,” he protested.

Pull the damn car over now and I will show you
. He stared at me in shock.
Eyes on the road
. I had no idea if it would work but clearly it did. He pulled over onto the shoulder and threw it in park. My bravery fleeting as quickly as it had arrived, I shakily pulled out my cigarettes for comfort. He grabbed my hands, looking at my knuckles. The pain dulled from his touch almost instantly.
Go ahead and smoke
, his voice said. I lit one and took in a deep breath. As I exhaled, I removed the scarf, listening to his reaction. He held in his gasp but his mind was louder than his words ever could have been. I took off my sunglasses and stared into his beautiful, amber eyes.

“What happened to you?” he begged, trembling.

“I can’t explain it. I’m honestly not even really sure.” He nodded, grabbing my hand and holding it tightly to his chest. I felt his calmness run up my arm, washing the pain off like rain. I wondered if he knew that he was doing it. I inhaled, pulling my newly found tears back in. He kept one hand locked with mine and used the other to put us back in drive and pull away. I rolled the window down, letting the cool air rush against my battered face. I closed my eyes, soaking in this moment. Regardless of how I imagined it would be, this being far from it, for a short moment, I was alone with him and by his choice. I curled up against the door and started daydreaming of an ice bath.

My bruised skin started to feel inflamed. My eyes shot open and I found myself alone in Cole’s car on the side of the road. I jumped out of the car, slipping into a panic as I spun around searching for him; but he was nowhere in sight. The darkness was consuming.
I must have fallen asleep for hours. Did he leave me here?
I started regretting ever trusting him at all. I didn’t know anything about him other than what he drank and that he was a college student. Just as my panic rose, catching in my throat, I looked ahead to find an old, abandoned liquor store. To my shock, it was just past a field I recognized…the one from my dreams. I started walking toward the decaying building.
Maybe I can find an address and figure out where I am
. Hoping this was just another dream, I got up to the building and looked at the tattered numbers on the dirty window. I rubbed the dirt from them with my sleeve.
It looks like 143 Anathema
, I thought.

A familiar warm and eerie breath rested on the back of my neck, chilling me to the core and making my beaten skin only burn more intensely. I turned to find my hooded attacker standing no more than ten feet in front of me. My eyes looked past him to see Cole’s car. I felt the man smirk. I stood there the same as before, waiting; but this time, I was not stuck. I was only holding my position. After several agonizing minutes, he took one step forward, letting out a short chuckle. My heart raced, thumping wildly against my chest, and I let a smirk escape. I felt it irritate him as I hoped it would and he lunged toward me. I ran straight at him, lining up a left hook. Just as I was about to follow it through, I dropped below him and ran, almost flying, to Cole’s car. He groaned in anger, overshooting his attack a good twenty feet. He adjusted and headed straight for me at an oddly fast speed. My feet slammed against the dirt road, pleading and forceful. I grabbed the car door and just as I leaped inside, I felt his warm breath on my skin. I held my breath and slammed the door shut.

My eyes shot open to see Jasmine re-slamming her car door next to us. I turned to Cole in absolute terror to find him smiling at me. The smile dropped from his face for a moment. “You okay?” he asked.

“I am now,” I smiled back. It was the truth. I looked at him and just felt better. He warmed me down to my soul; it was so comforting. Still, no matter how good he made me feel, I knew whoever or whatever that was that attacked me was far from finished. We got out of the car and headed toward the bar. I walked to the back door and he pointed to the front and went inside. I reached out to the door and stood there for a moment, feeling anxious. My fingers gently touched the doorknob, sending the pain and memory of just a few nights ago surging through and tensing up my entire body. I did my best to shake it off and walked through the door.

I wandered through the hall, clocking in and trying to miss running into Max. I knew I would have to talk to him soon, but maybe in front of patrons he wouldn’t ask too many questions. I walked up to the bar, sunglasses back on and set my stuff under the counter. As I did, I looked up to see Cole sit down with a smile. I smiled back, interrupted by Max, who came storming out of his office in my direction.

“Where the hell have you been?” He demanded.

“What? I’m not late; I said I would be here,” I answered.

“I thought something happened to you. Take those ridiculous sunglasses off!” I turned my head, away allowing my hair to fall in front of my face, completely covering it. I removed the glasses as he commanded.

It’s going to be ok
, Cole said. I looked Max straight in the eyes and watched him tracing my bruises in horror. He allowed a short gasp to escape and quickly pulled himself together, regretting it moments later.

“What happened to you?” he asked with pain in his eyes. I watched him putting together the pieces; I was afraid of that.

“She got hit the other night. Probably a drunk driver,” Cole answered. I looked at him a little stunned at first, and then relief followed. Max turned his head and looked at me.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It looks worse than it is.” I hated lying to him. “Mind if I work my whole shift? I need the money to save up to fix my car.” I flashed a smile, knowing every word was a lie. It hurt like hell every time I took even a shallow breath in. Camille, who eagerly came up to the bar while we were talking, sat quietly next to Cole, listening to the fictitious story.

“You should probably take it easy,” Max said. I threw him a “I’m not your kid” look. “Okay, alright. Here’s the new key. I had to the change the locks.” I took it, slid it into my pocket, and gave him a daughterly peck on the cheek.

“Take a quick bathroom break; I can clean you up a little,” Camille said, wiggling her makeup bag at me. I looked to Max, who nodded, and followed her to the bathroom. I let her struggle with the door. She patted the counter top and I hopped up onto to it. “Your car looks half as bad as you,” she said sarcastically but concern covered her face. As I removed the scarf, she stared for a moment, I assumed trying to contain herself. She dumped the entire makeup bag onto the counter, fiddling through the jars for something matching my skin tone. “Did you get the license plate number?” she asked.

“No. I didn’t see them coming, or leaving.” It was the truth; I didn’t see him come or go. She continued to carefully apply the makeup down my neck; it was excruciating.

“There. It’s not gone but in the shitty lighting here, no one will notice.”

I turned to the mirror.
Not bad. I look Photoshop fake but healthy, I suppose; or healthier.
I hopped off the counter and we headed back to the bar. I got behind the counter and mixed Jasmine a drink. Max came up to check on me and to make sure I was actually okay, at least enough to work. My newfound look gave him comfort, enough to make him feel safe going home, at least. I got back to work quickly, keeping busy as the night flew by. Time really does fly when you spend it concentrating partially on the door for an unwanted guest, the actual job, and an occasional eye flirt with Cole. Okay, maybe a little more than occasional.

Last call came and I filled one last round of drinks. Cole usually ducked out by then but had been lingering. He waved off the last call and mimicked driving with his hands like a mime.
Time to lock up
. I sighed and followed the patrons to lock the door behind them. I started to feel the panic rise up through me, knowing I was now completely alone and that a terrifying night may be waiting for me when I leave again. A smile crept up, spreading across my face and squashing the panic the instant the scent of sandy beaches climbed up my nose. I turned to the bar to find Cole quietly cleaning up.

“You know we are closed, right?” I asked with slight flirtation in my voice.

“I’m helping. What? Don’t look at me like that,” he said slyly. I think I was starting to understand that whole butterflies in your stomach thing. He continued, “You are not walking alone to your car. I felt you freaking out as you walked to lock the door.”

“Fine.” I felt my entire body settle down into a soothing calmness. I loved the effect he had on me. We cleaned up the bar and all that went with my routine. We wiped down the counter side by side, occasionally brushing against each other striving for that electric surge. I stared at the garbage bags by the back door for much longer than a necessary moment.
No way I’m going near that dumpster. Max can do it tomorrow.
I turned right smack into Cole.

“I can take them,” he said, inches from my face.

“They can go out tomorrow,” I said through clenched teeth in attempt to not inhale his breath. I could feel it dancing against my lips. He smiled and reached his arm behind my back; I felt myself holding my breath while every sore muscle in my body tensed in anticipation. I exhaled as his arm brushed my side and he grabbed the garbage bags behind me.

“It’s no problem. Just keep the door open for me.” I nodded, attempting to regain control of my breathing after he walked out the door.

What are you thinking? You are covered in bruises and he’s…
I reminded myself, which wasn’t even necessary. I could feel each one all over me.
Oh shit. Did he hear?
I really needed to figure out how this worked. I watched him pause for a second before dumping the bags into the dumpster.
He definitely heard.
I stood awkwardly at the door as he swiftly walked toward me. I could see he was trying to hide his concern, but more so a smirk. “I just need to grab my stuff and then we can head out,” I said, breaking the silence.

“Alright. I’ll wait by the door.”

It felt like I was learning to walk for the first time, on my short trip to my belongings. I returned to him leaning against the wall. He opened the door without moving from his stance, not leaving me with much room to get by. I squeezed through the tight space between him and the wall, brushing against his torso, barely holding in my sigh attached to the excited rush he gave me. I locked up and he offered his hand for the walk. This time, I took it.

“Where is my car?” I asked, searching aimlessly.

“Camille,” he said, almost as if it were a question.

“I’m going to kill her.”

“Relax. I can give you a ride. We can work out your car issues tomorrow.”

“We?” I smiled while questioning.

“Yes, we. Get in.” He held the door open and I climbed into my chariot. Letting someone I didn’t know know where I lived was on my list of Never. With him, I just couldn’t help myself but to break my rules. I couldn’t feel this safe with him and it all be a lie. I gave him directions and we headed to my place.

I sat my bag on the table and awkwardly offered him a beer. He turned it down politely but I popped the top and enjoyed one. He walked around curiously and seemed strangely comfortable. I always felt uncomfortable in a new place regardless of if it was a shithole like this place.

“I’m going to wash this crap off of my face.”