Luci Quart leads an uneventful life. Having spent her years either away at school or working in her family's grocery store, she never really experienced any adventure. But that all changes the moment Brett Edwards walks into the tiny little general...
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Frozen, Brett and I broke our gazes away from one another and glanced in the direction of the voice that'd broken our happy atmosphere.
The heavy bartender was leaning with interest against the wooden counter, a glass in hand, as he greeted the officer in front of him. Taking in the officer, I frowned as I took in his pudgy appearance, thinking that there was something familiar to his figure. But I was ripped out of my thoughts as Brett righted me from my dipped position and placed his hands on the small of my back.
"We need to leave." He murmured into my ear. My back was flush against his chest, and I took in a deep breath just as he said: "Now."
Nodding in compliance, I let him steer me through the dancing flock towards the back of the bar. Briefly glancing upward, I took in the signs above the approaching hallway that read: Bathrooms; Pool Room; Exit.
We'd barely been here for 35 minutes and already were on the run once more.
Brett's large, warm hands gently pressed against my hips down the hallway hurriedly. I could practically touch the anticipation and nervousness that drifted in the air. Letting out a breath to calm myself down, I reached my fingertips out towards the door...
"Excuse me?" A voice interrupted my actions.
Brett and I immediately stiffened, before slowly turning around. The pudgy officer stood there, hands on his hips.
Oh no. Here it comes. He's going to slap those cuffs on any minute...
I watched in horrified awe as the cop opened his mouth and said...
"Would you mind telling me where the men's restroom is?" The man gave us a sheepish grin, his rosy red cheeks puffing up in embarrassment.
"Oh. Yea, no it's fine. Just head back the way you came. There's another hallway halfway down that has a sign above it that says Restrooms." Brett replied in a cheerful voice, his grip on my hips tightening ever so slightly.
The cop sighed, shaking his head. "Can't believe I missed that. Thanks, bud. I'll leave you too to your... business." He gave a not-so-sly wink at Brett before waddling away.
Once he'd disappeared from sight, I let out a gasp and sunk against Brett, relief washing over and numbing my limbs.
"Oh my goodness," I murmured. "I really thought we were dead for a moment there." I felt rather than heard Brett's chuckle as he patted one of my hips reassuringly.
"Me too. C'mon, let's scram."
With that, I shoved open the Exit door and burst out into the cold night air. Brett removed his hands from my hips-which made a strange feeling of disappointment stir within me-and dug his keys out from his pocket. Quickly climbing into his truck, I buckled myself in just as he tore out of the parking lot.
After maybe ten minutes of silence, I looked at the clock, pursing my lips at the glowing 10:30 that glowed back at me. Turning my head towards Brett, I took in the sight of him as he maneuvered the steering wheel.
"What should we do now?"
Brett glanced at me, then back at the road. "Since the cops are still flocking all over the place, we should find somewhere to lie low. "
"Do you have anywhere in mind?"
Brett thought for a moment, then smiled. "Yea, actually. I do."
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