But the headphones were still there.
Why would someone break into my car and leave the only thing of value?
I drew my hand down my face and popped the trunk. I had a duffel in the back for the rare days when I went to the gym. It was still there, too. It didn’t even seem to be ruffled through or anything.
“Is anything missing?” Emery asked, approaching my car.
“No. Not even my headphones.”
“That’s lucky,” Heidi said.
“Maybe you just left the door open,” Emery said. “It could happen.”
“Yeah. You were in a hurry,” Heidi added.
I shook my head. Had I closed the door? I honestly couldn’t remember. It was possible that I had left it open, but it seemed really outrageous that I hadn’t closed it—at least partway. This had been wide open. Had I ever been so careless with my vehicle? My baby?
I really didn’t think so. But…the evidence was before me.
The headphones were there. My gym bag was fine and untouched.
No one had been in my car.
“False alarm, I guess,” I muttered.
Heidi and Emery hugged me and walked me into my house to make sure that the house hadn’t been vandalized or something. It was clear that they both thought that I’d been negligent when I got home. My house was fine. Nothing had happened. I’d panicked for no reason.
I watched them drive off and closed and locked all three locks on my front door. Sliding the chain into place gave me little satisfaction this time. Normally, it made me feel safe and secure. Like I could get through another night.
Tonight, I couldn’t erase the sense of unease.
For I was certain that I’d closed that door.
Eleven
Austin
I peeled my eyes opened, squinting against the sun blasting in through the windows. My head weighed a solid ton. When I tried to sit up, my head spun.
“Fuck,” I groaned, lying back down.
I didn’t remember the last time I’d gotten blackout drunk. How much had I fucking drunk to get to where I was? What exactly had I done last night?
Jesus Christ, I must have been obliterated.
I sat up in bed again and waited until the world stopped spinning. Then, I noticed that I wasn’t in my bed. Nor did I recognize anything. Not a damn thing.
I was shirtless but still had my pants on. At least that was a good sign. Maybe.
After a few minutes, I eased out of bed and walked into the living room. I cringed. I definitely recognized this apartment. I had, in fact, been here before. My eyes darted around the room as I wondered if I could make a hasty escape. I took a step further out of the bedroom and saw a skinny brunette in short shorts and an oversize T-shirt, brewing coffee. She shifted from one foot to another as she danced to the techno music coming out of her phone.
I sighed heavily. No chance of escaping this.
I cleared my throat, and she whirled around.
Her hand flew to her chest. “Austin, Christ, don’t scare me like that!”
“Uh…hey, Mindi.”
“Babe, you look horrible.”
“Thanks,” I said with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
Mindi was one of Patrick’s many crazy exes. She wasn’t exactly his ex-girlfriend since Patrick didn’t do relationships, but she was pretty close. Then, she’d gone and threatened to stab him with a butcher knife if he didn’t define their relationship. So…that had been the end of that.
But he’d first met her through Maggie…and Maggie was not a person I wanted to see right now.
“Uh…what the hell am I doing here? And…is Maggie around?”
My eyes darted to her closed bedroom door.
“She’s out of town, but I figured she’d appreciate me saving your life,” Mindi said, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “Do you want some?”
I shook my head as a relieved sigh escaped me.
“Like, what do you remember about last night?” Mindi asked.
“Nothing. It’s a blur. Did we hook up?” I sure fucking hoped not.
She snorted. “Ew.”
“You’re so good for the ego.”
“I mean…I’d be down if you could convince that golfer brother of yours. You know how I am about brothers, Austin.” She batted her eyelashes at me.
“I’ll take a pass. Landon is engaged anyway.”
She popped out her bottom lip. “Shame. Mags would probably gut me anyway.”
“So, why am I here?”
“You were at the bar, talking to this girl. You were going on and on about this other girl, Jules, who you’re apparently obsessed with. And something about being an alcoholic and the company. I was getting off my shift and saved you from yourself. So, you’re welcome.”
I tilted my head back and cringed. Great.