Catching You (12 page)

“Bryn,” I spattered, “I thought that we were going to do
this together. I wanted to help you.”

“It’s just; I thought that I would do this for you as a
thank you. I mean, it’s been awhile since we’ve hung out together and ever
since Ryan died I got my friend again.” She stopped, realizing how it sounded.
“I don’t mean to say that I’m glad that Ryan’s gone. It’s just that we have
been hanging out more since you and Elisabeth haven’t been talking. It’s been
nice.”

I threw my arms around Bryn. “I’m sorry I did that. I
thought you knew I still loved you.”

She shook her head. “No. I always felt like a third wheel
when I was around you and Lizzie in the last few months. I mean look at me
compared to you.” She glanced down at herself, “I’m dieting again, but can’t
seem to lose any weight and guys don’t give me a second glance. Now, you always
have cute guys around you. Even at Ryan’s funeral, Derrick and Nick were
fighting over you.” I blushed.

“That’s not true. They were fighting over their own egos.
All Nick wanted was to get into my pants, figure the expression. He doesn’t
care about me.”

“He may not, but I think Derrick does. I see the way he
looks at you when he thinks you’re not looking..” Bryn patted my hand.

“Well, even if that’s true, there isn’t anything that I can
do about it until this thing with Nick is over. I’m hoping it’s soon because
I’m sick of pretending to like the jerk.”

“Are you sure?” she teased.

 I looked up, surprised. “Let’s go,” I said not giving her
an answer. I said goodbye to Bryn and began walking quickly towards the exit.
As I got to the car, my cell phone alerted me to a text message. It was the
same undisclosed number. My hands shaking, I hit read.

How are you going to tell the police, if you have no
evidence?

“I’m home!” I yelled. My mom ran downstairs. “Be quiet. I
just got your brothers to take a nap; you know how Spenser gets when he’s
cranky.”

I nodded. “Do I ever.” I laughed. She glanced at the bag in
my hand,

“What did you get at the mall?” She asked.

“You know Bryn, she goes crazy shopping. We bought stuff for
the cabin next month,” I lied.

“That’s nice. If you go upstairs, try to be quiet. I don’t
want the boys woken up.” I nodded and slipped past her on the stairs. I closed
my door quietly, threw the contents of the bag on the bed and glanced over all
of the stuff. Bryn had gone a little crazy in the store and I ended up with a
tape recorder, microphone, and a wig. I didn’t really need the wig for the
cabin, but I thought it would be fun to wear.

A few seconds later, my cell phone rang. I glanced down, saw
Nick’s number on my caller id, and picked up the phone.

“Hi.”

“Hey, what are you up to?” he asked

“Bryn and I just got back from the mall. Now I’m just
putting stuff away. Why?”

 He laughed. “I want to see you. How about we go out to
dinner and a movie?”

I knew for appearances sake, I should say yes.

“Sure, what time?” I asked. I still needed to take a shower
and get ready for the date.

“Well, there is a showing in two hours, so I’ll be by to
pick you up in an hour.”

“I’ll see you in an hour then. And, Nick, I can’t wait.”

“Neither can I,” he said.

I shut the phone and threw it on the bed. I stuffed the
surveillance stuff back in the bag and stuck it under my bed. It was the one
place that my mother did not look. I stripped off my clothes, let them drop to
the floor, and walked to the bathroom. I turned on the water and waited as the
water heated up. Soon, I noticed the mirror covered with steam. I got in, and
jumped away as the water scalded me.

“Ouch!” I yelled, adjusting the temperature so my skin wouldn’t
peel off. I lathered up with soap, sniffing the crisp scent of vanilla in my
nostrils. Shampoo in hand, I washed my hair quickly, wiping the soap out of my
eye as it crept down my face. I rinsed off and got out.

I wiped the mirror off, and reached down to get the hair
dryer. I wanted to blow dry it straight tonight instead of letting it dry on
its own. When I was done, I walked over to my closet to figure out what to
wear. I had just bought a new skirt at the mall a few weeks ago that I hadn’t worn
yet, so I got that out and set it on the bed. I grabbed a white tank top to
wear with it.

After I was dressed, I glanced at the clock. It said 5’oclock.
For once, I was ready on time. I heard the doorbell ring and slipped on my
sandals. I smiled. I heard voices downstairs and peeked over the railing. Nick
was dressed nicely, and I wondered where we were heading for dinner. I slipped
downstairs, unnoticed.

“Hey there.” I stood awkwardly with my parents.

“Are you ready to go?” Nick asked, opening the front door. I
nodded.

“Bye. I’ll be home by 10’oclock,” I said, hugging them
goodbye. I walked outside heading to Nick’s car. He stood there, door open
waiting for me.

“Thank you.” I slipped inside the car. He walked over to the
other side and got in.

 “I didn’t get the chance to tell you how beautiful you look
tonight,” he said, squeezing my hand.

“Thanks.” I held my purse tightly in my lap.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“No, why?” I asked.

 “You’ve got your purse in a death grip,” he replied. I
laughed.

“Oh, I didn’t even notice. I don’t know what’s wrong with me
tonight.”

“Is everything okay?” he asked

I nodded. “Yes, don’t worry about me.” I smiled.

“I’ve been worried about you since Ryan died. I still can’t
understand why he would break up with someone as wonderful as you.” He turned
to me. “Remind me again why we never dated before this?”

“Let me see if I can remember your exact words.” I paused,
“When we first met you told Ryan that I was a flighty girl who didn’t think
about anything but having fun. You said that I would hurt him with my cheating
someday. That’s rich.”

“I’m sorry, I was wrong.” He squeezed my hand.

“It’s okay. I forgive you.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek.”
Now, I’m starving, do you think we can go get dinner?”

“Let’s go.” He put the car in gear and headed towards the
freeway.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“I’m not telling you. It’s a surprise. I just want you to
sit back and enjoy the ride.” I rolled down the window and enjoyed the feeling
of wind of my face.

“There, now you look like your relaxing. Do you know how
beautiful you are?” he asked, taking his eyes away from the road. I froze.

“Nick, you better watch where you’re going,” I said quietly,
the words catching in my throat. He glanced back towards the road and continued
driving.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking when I did that. Are you
okay?” he asked, concern in his voice.

I shook my head. “I’m fine. Just please don’t do it again. I
don’t want to lose another person I care about.”

He turned into an empty parking lot that seemed to have once
been an old drive in.

“We’re here,” he said shutting off the engine, turning to
me. I glanced around; we were the only people here. I suddenly got scared, what
if he was planning on killing me and leaving my body out here to rot? My face
paled.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Your face is pale and you look
like you’re about to pass out.” I nodded, unable to find my voice.

“A friend of mine used to work here when it was a working
drive thru and told me that I could come here anytime I wanted to.”

He got out of the car and began walking over to an old beat
up shack in the dirt. At least that is what it looked like to me, but it turned
out to be the old control station.

“There!” he exclaimed. I looked around, not knowing what he
was doing, but suddenly the screen up in front turned on. I heard a few more
noises, a whooshing sound of sorts and I began to see things appearing on the
screen. Nick walked back to the car and got in.

“What do you think?” He asked excitedly. I still didn’t know
what we were doing here, so I faked a smile.

“It’s nice, what is it?” I asked nervously.

“I thought that I’d do something different for our date
tonight. Instead of taking you to a crowded movie theatre, I made a few calls
and set this up. It’s ours for tonight. I’ve even got us dinner in the back of
the car.”

I glanced over my shoulder and saw a basket, a bottle of
cider, two glasses and a blanket.

I looked back at him. “Is this all for me?”

“I thought that with everything that you’ve gone through
this last month you deserved something special. I think I’m falling in love
with you.” When I didn’t reply, he continued,” I’m serious.” He whispered before
getting out of the car.

I sat there, shocked.
Nick loved me? Could he know something?
He's been so hot and cold towards me this last month that the timing of this
romantic date certainly seems convenient. He tells me he loves me the same day
that Bryn and I come up with a plan to get a confession out of him so that we
can go to the police.

“It’s starting.” His words jarred me from my thoughts and I
settled into Nick’s arms, his arm around my waist, and my head on his shoulder.
The movie began to play and I saw that he’d picked my favorite movie;
My
Best Friend’s Wedding
starring Julia Roberts. I’d probably seen it at least
ten times already.

“This movie is my favorite.” I grinned, snuggling closer.

“I know,” he whispered.

 I glanced over at him. “How’d you know?”

“I pay more attention than you think, Lauren.” I felt the
little hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

“Are you stalking me now?” I asked, sounding calmer than I
felt.

“No. Why would you think that?”

“You know what my favorite movie is without me telling you.”

He laughed. “It’s called Facebook. Now, just watch the
movie.”

I chuckled, although still shaken, and turned my attention
back to the screen.

Later that night, I sat in my bedroom thinking about my date
with Nick. He’d been nothing but a gentleman, but something was still bothering
me. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

I changed into a pair of pajamas; pink plaid shorts and a
matching t-shirt with a sleepy monkey on it and settled under the covers. I
turned on my side and closed my eyes. My cell phone ringing a few minutes later
jarred me awake.

“Hello?” I answered, my voice taking on a little gruffness.

“Lauren, it’s me.” I recognized Bryn’s voice immediately. I
looked at the clock and saw that it was after midnight.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, concerned. She usually never called
this late.

“Nothing, I hope,” she paused, and asked, “You’re not
backing out are you?”

“No I’m not, why?” I wondered.
Why would she ask me that
now?

“Derrick said that he saw you and Nick on another date
tonight and I got worried. I thought that you we’re having second thoughts.”
Why
did it seem like everyone was watching my every move?

“Is it a crime for me to go on a date with the guy?”

“It is when you’ve got proof that he
killed
your
ex-boyfriend.”

“Actually, I don’t. You keep telling me that we have proof,
but so far the only thing I’ve noticed is he has a temper and stalker
tendencies.”

“Lauren, how naïve can you be?”

“Bryn, it’s late. Can we talk about this in the morning?”

“No, I’m worried that you’re going to get hurt.”

“I know what the plan is,” I said, cranky. “I want to find
Ryan’s killer as much as you do, but I can’t just right out ask Nick if he did
it. Let me do this my way, okay?”

“Fine. Just don’t come crying to me when you find out that I
was right. I don’t want to hear it.”

“I don’t intend to.” I sighed. “I’m just sick of everyone
second-guessing my every move lately. I’m a big girl and can handle myself.
Now, if you don’t mind, I’m tired and want to go to bed.”She didn’t answer me.

“Bryn, are you still there?” I whispered.

“Yes, I’m here. I still don’t understand why you are doing
this. What do you think Ryan would say if he knew that you began dating his
best friend shortly after he died?”

“I don’t know. He’d probably say he was happy for me that
I’d found someone who cares about me.”

“Are you saying he loves you?” she asked an astonished tone
in her voice. “How could that be?”

“Oh, thanks a lot. That makes me feel
real
great. I
said gripping the phone harder. “You forget that Nick is not just some random
person I met off the streets here. I’ve known Nick as long as I’ve known Ryan
and he’s not as bad as everyone says.”

“Except that he killed his best friend, your boyfriend. Or
did that fact slip your mind as soon as he showed interest in you?”

“No. I know what I’m supposed to do, but I’m starting to
wonder if it’s the right thing. Sometimes I just want to forget I found out
about Ryan at all,” I said.

“Do you really want to do that?” she asked.

I bit my lip. “I don’t know anymore. I just know that I
didn’t expect this.”

“Expect what?”Bryn asked

“To be chasing my boyfriend’s killer.” My voice cracked at
the word boyfriend. A minute later, the dial tone was in my ear. Bryn had hung
up on me.

I hung up and thought about the date. It had been everything
I could have asked for, but I still couldn’t shake this nagging feeling I was
having. Maybe everyone was right. He’d said a few things tonight that raised a
red flag. I curled back under the covers and closed my eyes.

I awoke the next morning, sunlight streaming through the
windows. Why did my room have to be the one that got the most sun in the
mornings? I groaned throwing the pillow back over my head hoping it would help.
It didn’t. I threw the covers off and shuffled to the bathroom. A few minutes
later, there was a knock at the door.