Taste (Take It Off #9)(40)
Author: Cambria Hebert

I hesitated, not sure of what excuse to give.

“Is there another reason you want to be here?” she asked. The hint of suspicion in her tone was clear.

“Of course not,” I said, standing up. “I just… This is just awful.”

Her gaze softened. “I know. Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I nodded. She stayed, watching me. Like she was still suspicious of my presence. I had no choice but to grab my bag and leave the kitchen.

Out in the hall, people were milling about, whispering and crying. Spencer was nowhere to be seen, and I was afraid to go searching for him. I didn’t know what he was doing, but I knew if he wasn’t here, it was for a good reason. I didn’t want to interrupt or get in the way of whatever he was doing.

Before I turned the corner toward the staff exit, someone stepped out into the hallway. I glanced up, hoping it was Spence. It was Mr. Caroway. His hair was mussed, his face was drawn, and the tie around his neck was loose and askew.

He saw me looking his way and inclined his head.

I lowered my gaze. The vice president appeared, looking completely shell shocked and distraught. Mr. Caroway put an arm around him and led him into another private room.

This plan was of huge magnitude. How angry would everyone be when they learned this was all just some giant ruse?

The summer air was cool because the hour was so late. My feet crunched across the gravel as I walked through the parking lot toward my car. I wasn’t sure where I should go. My place? Spencer’s?

I probably should wait for him, but hanging around would only make me look suspicious.

Man, I just wanted this to be over. I was tired and confused. I missed my son, my regular routine. My life.

At my car, I unlocked the door and sank into the driver’s seat. I laid my head against the headrest and blew out a heavy breath. I tossed my purse on the floorboards of the passenger seat and reached out to turn the key.

That’s when I noticed the small note taped to the clear plastic over my speedometer.

With shaking fingers, I pulled it off and slowly unfolded the white piece of paper.

Good job.

I crumbled the paper as a sob tore from my throat. This note meant two things:

1.) Whoever was responsible most definitely worked here.

and…

2.) I was no longer necessary.

23

I sat outside my house, staring up at it through the windshield of my car. I hadn’t been here in several days. I was staying with Spencer, just like I said I would. I knew whoever was behind this knew. They seemed to know everything.

I wondered if they knew about our secret plot.

I hoped not.

I glanced back up at the house. The porch light was on, so was the lamp in the living room. I knew the window was fixed. Spencer had it done yesterday.

I probably wouldn’t stay here tonight, but I could use some clothes and things, so I figured I could go in and get what I needed while waiting for Spencer to get in touch.

On my way to the front door, my cell phone started ringing. It was already in my hand and I hit the button immediately.

“Hello?”

“Elle,” Spencer’s voice filled my ear. “Where are you?”

“Hey.” Relief poured through me. “I’m at my place. Just got here.”

He grunted. “I’m on my way.”

Before I could say anything else, the line went dead.

Inside, the house was just as I left it, but the air smelled slightly stale because no one had been here. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and went upstairs to get a couple extra outfits and change my clothes. After I put on a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved white top, I went into the bathroom and washed my face and hands. My hair looked as limp as I felt, so I pulled it up into a high ponytail on top my head. After smoothing on some moisturizer, I went back into the bedroom and into the closet.

I couldn’t help but think about the last time I was in here. When I was being drugged and attacked.

I wondered if that memory would always assault me when I was in here. I hoped not. This was my home. The only home Jack had ever known. It was a nice place with plenty of room, and I didn’t want to move.

The front door opened and closed, and I stiffened. When I got to the top of the stairs, Spencer grinned up at me.

“Hey, darlin’.”

“Hey,” I said, smiling. It was good to see him.

He swept me up in his arms when he reached me, planting a kiss on my lips. “What the hell are you doing here?” he asked, setting me down after the usual second kiss.

“It was starting to look suspicious that I was still at work. I had to leave.”

“Why didn’t you go to my place?”

“I don’t have a key.”

He swore and pulled out a key ring. “Here,” he said, taking off a silver key. “I have another at home I can use.”

“This isn’t necessary,” I said.

“I want you to have it.” Instead of waiting for me to take it, he stuck it into the front pocket of my jeans. “I have a key to your place.”

Yeah, because he was having the window fixed. Still, I wasn’t going to be asking for it back.

“Thanks.”

“Sorry I took so long,” he said. “I couldn’t get away.”

“Is everything…?” I began, not really wanting to vocalize everything that was going on.

He nodded. “It’s good.”

“Any leads?” I ventured.

His face drew grim and he shook his head. “Everyone there is acting the way you’d suspect. Nothing suspicious, and believe me, I’ve been watching.”

I wrapped my hands around his waist and laid my cheek against his chest. He hugged me back, resting his chin on top of my head. I told myself not to freak out, that it was still really early. I mean, geez, had I expected whoever this was to be skipping through the halls in merriment?

A girl could dream, I guess.

“Come on, I’ll take you to my place,” Spencer said, releasing me.

“You aren’t staying?”

His mouth drew into a line. “I can’t. I have to go back to work.”

I nodded. It was understandable. I grabbed a few things I needed and threw them in a bag, and then we left, locking the door behind us.

I walked toward my car, but Spencer caught my hand. “Just leave it. Ride with me. We’ll come back and get it tomorrow.”

“If you need to go back, I can drive myself.”

“I want to spend some time with you,” he replied. “Even if it’s only a few minutes.”