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“I’ll get a coffee and do a quick walk around whilst you are in here,” Layton mutters under his breath before walking away. It’s been weird having him with me all the time whilst in school, but after the other week I’m just glad Christian isn’t insisting that Layton is by my side every second of the day.
As soon as I reach Verity the smile on her face drops.
“Jaz are you okay? You’re looking a little pale.” Great, I look how I feel.
“I’m fine. I thinkyou know whatis around the corner, and it’s leaving me feeling drained,” I sigh as I rub my aching back. It would probably explain why I’m feeling emotional as well.
“Oh no! If you can’t make class let me know and I will send all the notes to you,” she offers as she gives me a reassuring smile.
“Thanks, I appreciate it. Hopefully, it won’t be too bad though and I’ll be able to handle it with pain relief,” I reply as I take a sip of my drink. I find myself looking around the café.
I haven’t been able to relax properly since Christian was sent that picture. I know I’m probably being paranoid but I constantly feel like I’m being watched and not by Layton or whoever else is on duty. I pull out my phone and check for any messages. Other than one from Maximus telling me he’s home if I need anything, there is nothing.
Most nights this week only one or two of the guys have been home by the time I have gone to bed. There have been several venues targeted by vandals or competition and the guys aren’t happy. I know they have found some of the people responsible for the damage and I’m pretty sure none of them are still breathing.
Jason assures me this happens now and again. He explained that occasionally people like to test to see if they can overpower the brothers and take what they have built as their own. I pity anyone who gets on the wrong side of the O’Reillys. It’s not a place even I would want to find myself. I know there is probably more going on that I’m aware of, but the guys all assure me I couldn’t be safer and I believe them.
“I’m just going to pop to the toilet and then we can head to the rehearsal studio.”
I look up to Verity and nod smiling.
“No worries, it gives me time to finish my coffee,” I reply as she gets up and walks out of the café. I quickly pick up my phone and let Layton know we are leaving in a minute and which studio we have booked for the next two hours. Layton replies instantly that he will be here in a minute and to wait for him. I take another sip of my drink and freeze when out of the corner of my eye I spot someone staring at me. I put my coffee cup back down and look at them as I see them walking into the coffee shop and heading to the sofas at the other end of the café. As they pass, they smile at me and carry on walking.
“Jaz are you ready?”
I snap back to look at Verity who has returned and is picking up her back. I turn back to where the guy had gone, but I can’t see him anywhere. I turn around to ask her to wait for Layton when I spot him standing by the door. He gives me a nod and I know it’s safe for me to leave.
“Yeah, come on let’s get out of here,” I reply as I look around again for the guy but he seems to have disappeared.
“I may have to shoot a little early as my boyfriend wants to hang out for a bit. You don’t mind do you?” Verity asks as I look at her and smile. Feeling a little unsettled we head towards Layton who smiles at Verity as he joins us.
As soon as he is beside me I see the frown on his face.
“What’s the matter? You look on edge. Did something happen whilst I was gone?”
I consider telling him for a moment about the guy but decide against it. It could have just been another teacher I don’t recognise. There is no way anyone who knows the guys would know that I study here.
“No, I’m fine. Just tired,” I tell him before forcing a smile. I can tell from his face he isn’t buying it, but I also know he won’t fight e until he has a good reason to.
Layton, Verity and me all head to the studio and Layton heads in quickly to do a quick search of the room before we enter.
“It must be so weird having someone watching every little thing you do,” Verity says as we hang our bags up at the back of the room.
“Keep the door closed and locked. I will be back in an hour to check on you. If anything happens.”
“Press my panic alarm,” I interrupt him, having heard the lecture three times a day at least for three weeks. He gives me a look and I smile. “I know the drill and I know that I need to be careful.” Layton looks at me for a moment and nods before leaving the room and I quickly lock it behind him.
“To answer your question,” I say, turning around and looking at my friend. “It is annoying as hell. I wish I could spend just half a day without feeling like I’m being watched or having to wait whilst he checks every single room I walk into once I leave the house.” I sigh as drop to the floor and start to put on my pointe shoes. “I’m tired of it all.”
I realise that’s the first time I have ever admitted that out loud. I get why the guys are worried, Christ I am a little too after that picture was sent. What if it was a warning that someone plans to take me? The best way to hurt the O’Reillys is to hurt one of them, or me. Let’s face it, it will be easier to get to me than it would be any of them.
I take a deep breath and look up at Verity before forcing a smile. I refuse to be scared and I refuse to think the worse. I want to just forget about it all and I can achieve that whilst I dance.
“Come on. Let’s get this routine choreographed."
???
We’ve only been practising for an hour and a half. Layton returned, saw we were okay and promised to return in an hour.
