Well, good, at least one of us does, because I sure as hell don’t. I’ve never been so open with anyone, and here, two seconds under her spell, I spilled my guts and dropped my morals, offering to hide a goddamn body. What is wrong with me?
“Mark.” Her voice is sweet and laced with guilt, and I’m done with both.
ChapterTen
ALICIA
I offended him. I see his rigid back leaving me alone in the darkness, and I can tell. Well, I’m not alone, “Steve” is here with me.
I turn and kick the rug with my foot. It’s not like it’s Steve’s fault, but he’s the reason why this whole thing happened. In my defense, I didn’t expect him to offer to bury the body. I mean c’mon, it’s been three weeks since we met. Yes, I’ve slept in his house… in his bed, and yes, he’s helped me out a lot, but to offer to hide a body? I was too stunned to speak. If I knew he’d take it literally, I’d have chosen different words.
When it clicked that he thought I was carrying a real body, something in my brain flipped. Do I give off a killer vibe? I thought I was being insulted, which was why I snapped back.
I shake my head in bemusement once again. Who would do that for their annoying neighbor? The only person who’d do that for me is Josie, who also happens to know how to hide a body in a concrete wall. Maybe Kayla. Fine, Justin too. Jake would probably call Mom, who would get Dad, so they’d be doing it together. But not a stranger. And certainly not after giving each other the cold shoulder for the last couple of weeks.
I crouch next to Steve and pick invisible lint from the rug, not quite knowing what to do with myself after that encounter. The man is enigma, and I was certainly wrong about him. I thought he was an uptight guy who did everything by the book, judging by how he reprimanded me for not knowing what to do with the fireplace.
Do I go after him and apologize? I glance at his house. The blinds are closed, and there’s no sign of life anywhere.
* * *
I haven’t seen Mark for three days. Since the night of his sweet offer, he’s been avoiding me. And trust me, I’ve tried to pop up when he’s around. I’ve been spying out of my window after him, but there hasn’t been a peep of him or his dog.
The first day his truck was parked in the driveway, I decided to give him time to cool off, but the second day, I took action.
I know he leaves early for his shifts, so I tried to take the trash out right after six, then stuck around doing front yard things… you know the ones.
Nothing. The magician disappeared the moment I sneezed, so I missed him again.
Then the same day, I tried to stay late to see what time he comes back. Nothing. Because he didn’t come.
I felt something different. Where was he? With the same woman who visited him before?
I don’t know why it’s so important for me to talk to him. I really don’t. I mean, he’s just my new neighbor who I’ve been obsessing over because I haven’t met many people for the past couple of years. That’s all. Plus, he has a girlfriend, for God’s sake, and I’m doing a horrible thing by lusting after him.
But when he didn’t come back home even though he’s definitely off shift, acid starts eating inside my chest. What if he really went to his girlfriend’s, and they both laughed at how he found me in my backyard? I mean, it’s really hilarious, but I don’t want him to laughatmewithher.
What did I expect really? A man like him would have a girlfriend, one who wouldn’t be terrified of him touching her. Or if she touched herself. They could enjoy all those normal healthy things couples do.
Mark is the very definition of a man, the ones I describe in my books, with masculine energy, smell, and power. So yeah, he’d need an outlet for his wildness.
The sound of a car interrupts the train wreck happening in my mind. I rush to the window to check who it is.
Mark gets out of his truck and walks toward his door, with Ghost trotting next to him. I’m about to run outside to demand a talk when something in his posture stops me. His torso is bent over, his left arm protectively folded over his stomach.
When he reaches the door, he leans on the wall with his forehead, trying to get his key in. Something is wrong. Of course, he could be drunk, but something tells me he’s not. I grab a jacket and run outside to him.
When Ghost notices me, he lets out a happy yap but doesn't leave his daddy’s side. It’s a big surprise, considering Ghost is always happy to see me. Yep, something is definitely wrong.
“Mark,” I call out to him.
He glances at me. “Not now, Alicia,” he warns in a gruff voice, still trying to get his key in the lock.
“Are you all right?” I try to hide the worry in my voice. I know it’s not my place to worry. But I think I fail.
Mark's eyes soften. “I'm fine. Go home.” He continues fidgeting with his keys, still not able to fit it into the keyhole.
“You don't look fine.” I grab onto the hem of my long shirt. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
