Page 89 of Make No Mistake

Twenty-One

I openedmy eyes to Jay blinking back at me.

“Morning,” I mumbled while stretching and doing my best to make sure he couldn’t smell my morning breath.

“I’ll support you under one condition.”

I whipped my head around and stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

“They only get once. You will only risk yourself once. If they don’t catch him on the first try, then you’re done.”

Biting back my initial response that he wasn’t the boss of me, I nodded.

“I know you’ll do what you want no matter what Aubrey or I say, but I wanted you to know I’ll support you and help however I can. One time.”

A weight I hadn’t even noticed pressing down on me was lifted. He was right. I was going to do it no matter what anyone else said to me, but knowing he supported me meant so much.

My arms wrapped around his shoulders and I fell against him. “Thank you.”

He mumbled something against my hair and pushed me off. “Let’s get ready.”

While he slid off the bed and walked through his room, collecting clothes and shoes before heading to the bathroom, I lay down and tried to convince myself I could ignore my classes today.

Once the shower turned on, I mustered the strength to leave the comfy, warm bed and go into my room. My eyes scanned the room but nothing looked out of place. I was starting to feel paranoid.

But was it paranoia when it was justified?

Part of my brain just assumed every room I entered had been recently broken into. Like, if I came in too quickly, I’d stumble right into him.

The alarm hadn’t gone off again, so maybe I was actually safe right now. Well, as safe as I could be.

I gathered my clothes and started the shower, but before I got in, I sent a message to Detective Larson, confirming I was willing to work with him to bring this guy down.

I couldn’t live like this any longer, and now I knew Jay felt the same. We’d reached our limit. Luckily, Larson had offered this route, otherwise I knew I’d be on the floor crying. Knowing there was a plan and I could help end this gave me purpose.

Risking myself wasn’t something I was particularly looking forward to, but it was worth it if we could catch him. I was willing to put myself in danger one last time to keep everyone else safe.

I just wish Aubrey understood.

I shook off the thought and stepped into the shower. She would forgive me, eventually.

The rest of my day followed the normal routine. It wasn’t until my last class started that Detective Larson finally replied. He sent me instructions of what to do and where to be. It was happening today.

My heart raced at the thought. I didn’t know what I’d been expecting. Maybe a few days’ notice? Of course, the police weren’t going to sit around and waste time. They crafted a plan and they wanted to implement it immediately. I confirmed then forwarded the messaged to Jay so he was up to speed. The plan involved him, and as much as we needed to make this feel authentic, I knew I couldn’t go through with it without him knowing.

The class ended, but I remained seated. The desk in front of me was empty, my bag was packed, but I couldn’t move.

The plan started when I walked into the newspaper office, so the longer I put that off, the longer I was safe.

But was I?

I looked around the room then over my shoulder, suddenly feeling like I was being watched.

Now was the time. I couldn’t live like this anymore.

I stood and swung my bag over my shoulder. I tried to act normal. I really did, but I knew I looked tense. Maybe that would help sell what I was about to do.

My walk across campus was over too soon. I stood in front of the door and counted to three silently before swinging it open.