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The unnerving feeling in my gut spreads through my body. My steps slow as my bravery dwindles. “Maybe we should just leave. Or at least go find a weapon,” I say under my breath.
“Don’t be a scaredy-cat,” Ainsley whispers back.
“Says the girl using me as a human shield.”
Ainsley doesn’t answer, but she stays close behind me, almost pushing me toward the kitchen. It’s almost like she’s fighting a war between curiosity and fear. Curiosity is clearly winning.
Right before we are able to see around the corner into the kitchen, a rustling sound comes from the inside. My pulse quickens, and I suck in a quick breath before holding it all together. Bracing myself for whatever we’re about to face, my whole body tenses up.
Ainsley gives me a final push, making me stumble into the room with a gasp.
“What the fuck?” Jase blurts out, dropping his fork onto the kitchen table.
I straighten up, clutching my chest, where my heart races so fast I’m getting lightheaded. Forcing myself to take a deep breath, I look at my brother sitting at the kitchen table in his underwear. His hair is uncombed, and ketchup is smeared on his chin. I look down at his plate.
“Are you eating crunched-up potato chips, smothered in ketchup, with a fork?”
For a few moments, Jase looks at me with his mouth hanging wide open, and his bloodshot eyes still round with shock. When he finally does find his voice, he says, “I couldn’t find a spoon.”
Ainsley bursts into laughter while my brain takes a few more seconds to process and understand that there is no danger.
“You couldn’t find a spoon?” I roll my eyes as if the fork was the weirdest thing in this situation. Jase shrugs and picks up the fork to continue eating.
“How high are you?” Ainsley shakes her head as she sits down next to my brother.
“Pretty high,” Jase admits shamelessly. “I took an edible earlier… and smoked a blunt.” He takes another bite, chewing slowly.
“I need to talk to you.” I close the short distance between us, taking a seat across from him and Ainsley. “Are you too high to listen?” Now that I’m closer, I can smell the unmistakable scent of cold smoke on him.
“Never.” Jase shakes his head. “Hit me with it.”
“I have a really bad feeling about what happened the other day. There haven’t been any reports about an arrest or search for a suspect,” I explain. My brother seems unimpressed, chewing his soggy potato chips in slow motion.
“Also, what if they did get arrested, and their boss doesn’t know we held up our end of the bargain?” Jase listens but doesn’t chime in, so I continue. “And that hotel I went into, something is really odd about that place too. I can’t find anything online, and…”
“Teagan.” Jase holds up his hand. His words come out slow like molasses. “Chill out. You did what they asked and placed the bug. Even with Dave and Karl being arrested, their boss will be satisfied.”
“Yeah…” Only I didn’t do exactly what I was supposed to.
Now I’m even more conflicted than before.
“But what if he found it? Or washes his clothes before ever wearing them?” There are so many scenarios that would end terribly for us.
“You are thinking way too much into this. If something was wrong, we would’ve known about it by now. Everything is fine. You just need to relax.” Jase brushes my concerns off like always. Sometimes, I almost wish I could be more like him and not care or worry all the time.
“Stop minimizing your sister’s feelings, asshat,” Ainsley speaks up. “Teagan’s concerns are more than justified, and you shouldn’t just wave her off.”
“I’m trying not to worry her,” Jase snaps. “How will it help if we sit here scared, not knowing about the future? If the guys I borrowed money from are not satisfied, they’re gonna come knocking on my door no matter what. If the cops want to reach out for a statement, they’ll do so. And that hotel is going to be run however they’re going to run it, whether you like it or not.”
The room falls into an uncomfortable silence. Dammit, he has a point. Even Ainsley doesn’t have anything to add.
“Look, I know you’re worried. I’m sorry I dragged you into my bullshit again.”
Ainsley throws in an accusing mmmhhh sound.
Jase gives her a side-eye. “As I was saying. Sorry I got you involved. And I’m sorry you’re concerned. But right now, there’s nothing we can do. And worrying yourself to death will not do us any good.”
“All I’m saying is we should be cautious. I just have a bad feeling.” I let my shoulders sag in defeat. I don’t want to seem even more dramatic than I already am, but I’m worried about losing my brother more than I’d like to admit.
