Dark Light (The Dark Light Series)(29)

Oh ok, that makes sense. James attends UCCS along with Miguel. Jared must’ve met Summer while visiting the campus. She said something about her and Jared finishing what they started. What did she mean by that? The thought makes me cringe.

Jared shakes his head at his brother. “That chick was all kinds of crazy. Next time, don’t bother. I’m not interested in meeting anyone else.”

His head turns towards me just a fraction of an inch and I look down at my menu, even though we’ve already ordered. Thankfully, our waitress returns with our breakfast platters and everyone’s mouths are too stuffed with pancakes, eggs, French toast, bacon and sausage to discuss the matter any further.

**********

“I really want you to think about what I said,” Jared says under the lamp of my front porch. “I meant it,” he smiles crookedly, peering down at me. He again caresses my cheek and my heart picks up the pace. He cups both sides of my face pulling it slowly up to meet his. My head is dizzy, full of questions and uncertainty.

This is it. Once our lips touch, we can’t go back. He’ll never be my good old buddy Jared again. Can I live with that?

Blaaaarrggggg!

Holy shit! Once again, we are interrupted, this time by James throwing up his breakfast on the concrete, half his body dangling out of the open rear door. Jared and I both flinch in disgust at his violent heaving and I hurriedly unlock the door and run inside to retrieve a bottle of water and a trash bag just in case James gets sick on their way home. We awkwardly bid each other goodnight and I lock up. Once in my room, I kick off my boots and clothes and flop on the bed. I pull my cell phone out of my purse, where it’s been stashed all night, and see I’ve received 3 text messages, all from Dorian.

Dorian, 9:07 P.M.

-Thank you for spending time with me today. I will think of you while I am away.

Hmmm, he must’ve sent that while I was taking my nap.

Dorian, 10:36 P.M.

-Please be careful tonight.

Ok, that’s beyond strange. How would he know I wasn’t at home in flannel PJs and bunny slippers? What would make him assume I was doing something that would put me in danger?

Dorian, 12:48 A.M.

-Let me know when you’re in safely. I look forward to Friday.

The time shows that it’s almost 3 A.M., way too late to call him now so I make a mental note to give him a call in the morning. The day has been so long and full, I just can’t muster the strength to talk to him now anyway. I quickly wash my face, brush my teeth and climb into bed with just my bra and panties, too beat to even bother with pajamas.

I’m woken way too early by a knock on my bedroom door. I peek at my alarm clock and read that it’s 8 A.M. What the hell?

“Honey, we need you to come out here please, as soon as possible,” my dad raps on the door again. The tone of his voice instantly wakens me and I scramble out of bed, only to realize that I’m almost naked. I pull on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt and pop into the bathroom to brush my teeth and wipe away the remaining raccoon eyes from last night's mascara. When I bound down the hall, I am jolted by the sight of two police officers. Whoa.

“Ms. Winters, I am Detective Perkins, this is my partner, Detective Cole,” he motions towards a brown haired lady with a no-nonsense look on her plain face. Looks like she was woken up too early as well and isn’t happy about it. “We need to ask you a few questions.” Detective Perkins is a brown-skinned, robust man with a thinning hairline. His forehead is shiny with fresh sweat thought it is quite cool this early in the morning.

I motion for everyone to sit. My parents opt to stand together behind the recliner I choose to take. “Ok, what kind of questions?” I ask. I really am puzzled and I’m sure my face looks the part.

“Do you know this woman?” Perkins holds out a picture and I take it in my hands.

“No, I don’t know her, but I met her briefly last night.” It’s the drunken slore from the bar, Summer. Crap.

“And you had an altercation with her?” Detective Cole interjects. Her voice matches her face- flat and emotionless.

“I wouldn’t call it that. She was drunk, yelling obscenities at my friend, Jared, and me. She even took a swing.” I leave out that the swing was meant for Jared. “I pushed her and then left the bar.”

“And your friend? What did he do?” Cole asks. She seems bored.

“Nothing. He left with me. We waited in the car until our friends were ready to go,” I answer.

“And his name is?” Perkins asks, a pen and pad in his hand.

“Jared Johnson,” I answer skeptically.

I look up at my parents and read their grave, worried faces. I must’ve really done it this time. Summer probably has some rich daddy who is threatening to sue the pants off us. Shit.