Page 143 of Defend Me
The woman from before tapped her manicured nails on the island. “Where’s Brooks?”
“I don’t really know if that’s your business.”
Her overly sweet smile unnerved me. As she made her way over to me, I pushed my hands into my pockets. I wanted to tell her to get the hell out and take her flowery, migraine-inducing perfume with her, but I didn’t want to cause issues for Brooks. Maybe she was a family friend. Or an aunt. She seemed very pale in comparison, but I didn’t know the makeup of his bloodline.
My eyes traveled over her shoulder and locked on Brooks’ door, which was slightly cracked. When her fingers touched my chest and began to trail downward, I slapped her hand away.
“Don’t touch me,” she snapped.
I shrugged. “You touched me first. I’m not interested in whatever you’re playing at here and if you want to see Brooks, you’ll have to arrange that with him.”
She let out a little huff as she started toward the door. Her heels clicked against the stone floor in a way that made me want to snap them in half.
Stopping in the entryway, she looked me directly in the eyes. “Tell him that I need to see him. Tomorrow in my office would be ideal.”
“Any particular time?” I asked snidely.
Her tongue traced her lower lip seductively. “Whenever. He knows I’ll always make time for him.”
“Is that so? And who am I telling him you are?”
“Holly. He’ll know who I am. We’re very well-acquainted.”
Was it normal for someone’s blood to feel like it was boiling?
It was worse that she seemed to read what I was feeling. With a final smirk, she left the apartment. I hurried to the door and turned the lock before I went directly to Brooks’ room.
At first glance, things seemed to be in order. His bed was always unmade except on the days the cleaner came by, which told me the guy had been here today.
I flipped on the light so that I could see better before I headed into the bathroom. Maybe she just had to pee. I didn’t believe it for a second.
Moving into the walk-in closet, I ran my fingers along the hangers and tried to recall if he’d worn anything other than hoodies and t-shirts since I’d met him. He was usually in skinny jeans when he was out of the house and sweats or basketball shorts inside. None of this was his- not in spirit, at least. I couldn’t imagine him wearing these unless he was forced to.
I hated all of it. If I was less level-headed, I’d consider burning it all.
When I spotted a bottle of cologne, I picked it up and sniffed it. This was something he used every day. It was fucking intoxicating.
“Nebulous,” I read. I might consider saving the name, but I’d never be able to afford it if it was as expensive as he claimed.
Deciding against snooping further, I shut off the light and returned to the bedroom. Something white caught my eye, a contrast to his black pillowcase. I sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the piece of paper.
We need to talk.
P.S. I’ve been thinking about that rose. Come by so that I can touch it again.
-Holly
The paper crumpled in my hand. I thought she’d been insinuating things earlier just to annoy me, but apparently not. It didn’t make sense, though. Holly was easily pushing forty and she was involved with his family somehow. Why would he sleep with her?
He’d never been shy about his sex life. Most likely it was just that. Sex.
Should I leave the note? I didn’t want to.
Against all that was holy, I pulled out my phone and called him.
“Hey there,” he answered.
His voice cut through some of my chaotic thoughts.
