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Fear squeezes the air from my lungs. Panic surges through me. My body’s first reaction is to lock up, but there’s no time for that.
I grab my cell, send Cole a quick message, then lean down close to Lisa, and lower my voice. “I need you to get up and get anyone in here to the back, then call 911.”
Lisa glances at Joel, then me.
“It’s okay.” I nod, keeping my eyes on hers. “Stand but don’t look at him,” I say, and Lisa follows my instructions well. “Good.” I turn to Joel. He’s pacing like a caged animal in the front. “Now go.” I push Lisa.
She heads toward the back. I remain behind the desk, keeping a watchful eye on Joel.
He pulls out a gun. Fuck. I left Fred at Cole’s!
It dangles at his side as he treads back and forth in the front of the building.
He stops and looks at me. “I didn’t mean it,” he says with a frustrated hand wave—the one with the gun.
“I-I know you didn’t.”
“I love her.” He gives the gun a flimsy shake in the air with a note of hysteria in his dark eyes.
“I know you do, Joel,” I softly reply, trying to remain calm.
He touches his face, shifting on his feet. “Why did you have to take her from me?”
“Joel.” I stay with his beady manic eyes. “She called me. She was scared.”
“Fuck!” Gun in hand, he scratches his head. “I didn’t mean to hurt her.” He swings the gun downward. My heart skips a beat. “I just get so mad. I can’t stop myself when I’m like that.”
“I understand, Joel,” I lie, aware I need to stay sympathetic to his feelings as fucked up as they are.
“I don’t think you do!” He points the gun at me.
My body goes numb. My sight turns blurry. All I see is Tyler’s beautiful, loving, and comforting green eyes staring at me. No. No. This isn’t happening. I need to stay focused. I can’t get lost in the past. I can’t always turn to Tyler when I’m afraid. I need to snap out of it.
I blink.
The barrel of the gun comes clear.
“Otherwise,” he says, the gun swaying left and right, “you wouldn’t have taken her from me.”
“Okay.” I raise my quivering hands, attempting to keep my demeanor composed and supportive. I can’t make him feel threatened. I also need to let him feel like he’s in control. “I’m sorry you see it that way. Amanda called me for help, and you said it yourself. You were mad. You couldn’t stop. She was just scared, Joel. You love her. I’m sure you can understand what she was feeling.”
“Yes. I do love her. But you” —the gun jerks, and my heart stops— “you shouldn’t have gotten involved. Now she’s gone. She’s gone. She’s with her fucking family. They don’t love her like I do. And it’s your fault.”
The front door opens, and Lix casually strolls in.
Joel turns with the gun.
“Wow!” Lix’s arms go in the air. “Hey.” His eyes bounce between the madman holding the gun and me. “What’s going on here?”
“This doesn’t concern you,” Joel snaps. “So leave.”
“Yeah, sorry.” Lix’s lips press together. His brow furrows.
Something grabs my hand. I glance down. Cole pulls me to the floor and presses his finger to his lips.
“See.” I hear Lix say. “I’m here to pick up a friend, and, dude, I’m not leaving without her.”
Cole motions and mouths, “Stay here.”
