Page 62 of Hyde and Seek
“Dude, I think that hot chick thinks she’s a robot and her phone just told her a joke,” a teenager in front of me said, drawing my attention to the fact I was talking out loud.
“Yeah, man, the hot ones are always fuckin’ nuts,” his friend put in.
I pulled out my phone to find a message from Jake.
Jake:What’re you doing?
Me:Definitely not talking to myself. Why?
Jake:You coming back? We gotta talk.
That’s never good.
Me:Yeah. Guys want anything for lunch?
Jake:No.
Yeah, this wasnotgood.
Me:Okay. See you soon.
When I got to Hyde, I parked in the back and walked through the garage. My apprehension was cemented when the boys expressed their appreciation for the cinnamon rolls in a polite way, and not one filled with proclamations of everlasting love.
There wasn’t even any bickering about someone taking more than they were supposed to.
Wild stab in the dark says that Kase shared about the drama-rific morning.
Shit.
I’d spent the drive to the bank going over what had happened. As I thought about it, I just couldn’t believe the level of stupidity on Rachel’s part. She invited the wrath that was Kase, and most likely Jake, for no reason.
I’d bet dollars to my best homemade donuts that Rachel was just hoping I’d flip out on Jake. Even if I was going to, I would’ve refrained just to throw a wrench in her catty plans.
I had no intention of bugging out at him, though. It wasn’t like he could go back in time and undo anything… or anyone. I wasn’t a big fan of his past coming in and insulting me. Other than a lack of judgment on his part regarding the quality he hooked up with, though, that wasn’t really his fault either.
When I walked into the waiting room, I saw Jake in a conversation with an older man. Both of their frames were tight and Jake’s jaw was clenched.
As I moved to sit and wait, I wondered if it was regarding the missing car parts.
I didn’t even make it to Jake before he reached out and gently grabbed the back of my neck to pull me close.
The older man’s words trailed off as he watched the intimate gesture with undisguised shock.
“Wasn’t expectin’ you gone so long. You okay?” Jake asked, his voice soft as he searched my face.
“Yeah, great. The meeting at the bank went longer than I’d expected.”
I hadn’t told him about the initial loan denial, only that I was still in the process of meetings and interviews. I wasn’t holding out hope that I’d be able to share better news anytime soon.
“Kase told me what Rachel said to you. Care to elaborate on that conversation?”
Looking off to the side, I shook my head. “Not particularly, no.”
“Babe, I talked to Rachel and let her know, straight up, she isn’t welcome here anymore.”
“Oh, Jake, this is your business—”
“Damn straight it is. That’s my name outside and that means I say who can and can’t be here. Even if I hadn’t, Kase filled the men in about what he overheard. I walked into the back and each of them said they wouldn’t touch her bike.”
