One Way Out

Chapter 5

Jeremiah did hit Paris up. He told her to meet him at the Starbucks on 23th and Broadway at 2:15. It was almost 2:30 and she was getting tired of waiting. She looked out the drizzle covered window to the street where Brooklyn had her car parked, waiting. Brooklyn looks out of the window to her and shrugs, asking where "this guy" is. Paris shrugs back, showing that she's starting to get annoyed. Hopefully this guy wasn't with the cops. If he was, she would have seen him around the station with her dad right? He's so dead if he's a snitch.

Just then, she sees someone in a black hoodie and jeans rushing into the Starbucks. He walks over to the table where she is sitting and throws his hood off as he takes the seat across from her. "Hey. So sorry I'm late. I just really couldn't get out of work," he seems out of breath and is speaking in a rush. "Yea, I was starting to think you weren't gonna show. Or worse.." she says as she peeks at his shoes. Dress shoes? "Where do you work again?" she says confused. He's looking around, like he's trying to make sure no one followed him, "I didn't say.." he finally looks at her, "How are you? Are you good? Do you want anything?" He's still talking kind of fast. He takes a bottle of water out of his hoodie pocket and takes a good gulp of it.

Paris tilts her head slightly to the right and side-eye's him. He's tapping his foot and fidgeting a lot. "Did you take something?" she whispers. He shakes his head, "Too much espresso in my coffee about an hour ago. I don't take the pills. Anyway, lets go somewhere a little more private." He stands up but she doesn't. "Like where.." she hesitates. "A friend's. He's like my brother. He's not there right now though but I have keys," he says showing them to her, "You drive?"

"Uhh.. no but I-"

"Ok, I'll drive."

"I think I'd rather just have this conversation here though."

Jeremiah looks at her, realizing this whole situation is kind of shady, "I'm sorry. I get why you're cautious. I swear I'm not gonna do anything to you. I'm not that guy. Just trust me." Paris shakes her head slightly, "Look, I've just been around a lot of these situations and I've learned that people in general really aren't that trustworthy and-"

"Come on. Trust me, you'll thank me later. You can bring your friend," he nods toward Brooklyn in her car. Paris looks out at Brooklyn, who is mouthing "Did he just fucking acknowledge me??" He grins, "She's been staring in here almost the entire time I've been here."

Flustered, Paris says,"Umm, well, yea, I mean, sure, I guess?" Jeremiah smiles, "Ok cool." He walks out of the Starbucks over to Brooklyn's car. Paris rushes to catch up so that Brooklyn knows everything is ok and that he is not about to attack her. He hops in the backseat. When Paris steps into the passenger seat, a wide eyed Brooklyn nervously asks, "What is this guy doing in my car?"

"Brook, this is Jeremiah. He may be doing some business with me. Jeremiah, this is my friend Brook," she says. "Nice to meet you," Jeremiah says politely. "Likewise...." Brooklyn groans.

"We're gonna go to his friend's house to talk about this stuff. But I need you to come with me," Paris informs Brooklyn. Brooklyn sits up, "And you didn't think to ask if I was ok with this?" "Please? Not now," Paris begs, "If you do this, I'll give you 10 of my profit." Brooklyn rolls her eyes and puts the car in drive, "Fine."

Jeremiah gives her directions and within 15 minutes, they are at the cozy house. "Can I just stay out here?" Brooklyn asks Paris. "He has good cable. You can watch TV if you want," Jeremiah offers. The three of them walk up to the door, which Jeremiah opens with ease. Paris initially thought he stole the keys but when he successfully turns the alarm off, she knew this was actually the house of someone he knew well. A guy that's honest about something? This is a first.

Jeremiah shows Brook the TV and even turns it on for her before he hands her the remote. "Do you want anything? Like water or something?" he asks. "Umm.. no I'm ok. But thank you though," she says. She smiles at his politeness when he turns to walk away.