I slept in again.
“Lou-loo,” I grumble. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
She tilts her head to the side, almost as if to say ‘I tried’ which, in her defence, she probably did.
There’s no time to shower, instead I brush my teeth and splash some water onto my face, before getting dressed and rushing out into the kitchen. I toss some dog biscuits into Lou’s bowl and freshen up her water before grabbing my pile of school reports from the table and head for the door. I run through a mental checklist as I place the reports into my laptop satchel.
Reports - tick. Lunch - no time. Phone and wallet - shit, where are they?
A quick dash to find my phone reminds me I need to call Kinsley and ask her to come and take Lou-loo for a walk this morning —maybe she’ll even drop me lunch …But I stop myself when I pick it up and see that there’s a text message from Tanner at 10.23pm last night.
T - Hey Jesse, it’s Tanner. I need to talk to you about something, give me a call when you’re free.
I send off a quick text to Kinsley before dialling Tanner’s number, praying this conversation won’t last longer than the drive to school.
There is a rumble in the background of Tanner’s line as the call connects. “Hello?”
“Are you on your bike?” Curiosity peaks in my voice, and I slap my forehead with my palm. Why did I just say that out loud? I’m supposed to be playing it cool with this guy. “It’s Jesse, I just got your text.”
“Right.” Tanner seems to collect himself and when he speaks again there is concern laced in his tone. “Did you notice anything odd yesterday?”
Moreoddthan being on a double date withyouand my best friend — whom I’m in love with — and watching her eye-fuck you all day? Moreoddthan having to explain to the poor girl I was paired with that I can’t be anymore than friends with her? Nope, nothing odd happened yesterday.
“Jesse?” he snaps.
“Uh … nope. Why?”
Tanner sighs, “I saw a blacked-out SUV following us. I don’t think the girls noticed, but I sure as hell did.”
I think back over the events of yesterday. Trying to recall the farmers market and the carpark at the lake where we had a picnic. I did see a blacked-out car both times. “Fuck —”
“You did notice? Jesse, why would someone be following you, or Kinsley? I can only speak for myself when I say that they weren’t following me, I don’t know Sophie but if you can think of any reason —”
I cut him off, “I’ll deal with it.”
“Tell me.” Tanner’s voice is darker now; not a request but a demand, but I can’t share this with him. There is only one person who would be following us and if I’m right, we’re in trouble. Fear swims with anger in my veins at the thought of Kinsley being followed.
“I can’t do that Tanner, I’ll deal with it though. Thanks for the heads up.” I hang up the phone as I pull into the staff car park.
My phone lights up with mine and Kinsley’s text message thread.
Me - Morning, can you please walk Lou for me?
Kinsley - You slept in again didn’t you? I’ll be right over.
Do I tell her? I don’t want her freaking out but I also want her to be watching her back …
Me - Have I told you that you’re the best?
Kinsley - You have yes, but tell me again …
Me - You’re the best, Meadow.
Once again, I chicken out. You would think I’d have grown a set of balls by now.
* * *
The bell sounds signalling lunchtime and the kids scatter, packing away their books and collecting their lunchboxes before the classroom falls silent again, leaning back in my chair I pull my phone out of my pocket. There are multiple notifications on my screen.
