I had meant to at least text Lucas and tell him that it wasn't on purpose that I ignored his texts and call, but at this point, I'm exhausted.
"Lucas, I'm so sorry. My phone wasn't on me and..." He pulls me aside. I look over my shoulder and see Angelina looking concerned. I give her the sign to give me a minute.
"Kinsey, you coming? Who's this?" Alan asks gruffly. Lucas and Alan eye each other for a second. Given Alan's heightened emotional state, he appears more threatening than his usual friendly self.
I put my hand on his chest. "Al, I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Go home and get some rest."
He stares Lucas down for a few more moments before looking at me. "Okay. You need to take it easy too, Kins."
"I'll be leaving in just a moment." I assure Alan, who nods and turns to follow Sasha. She is waiting for him impatiently at the door. I think she's hanging on by a thread at this point.
I turn back to Lucas who gently pulls me to a quiet spot around a hallway corner. "I heard from my co-workers that someone collapsed in the bar last night and then today a cop is there passing around a photo of you, that guy, and another guy asking if anybody saw anything. Are you okay?"
"I honestly don't know right now. It's been a fucking long day." I say, running my hand through my hair and being reminded of my head injury too. I wince.
Lucas frowns. "Did you tell the cops that I may have something to do with this? Because I got called in to provide an alibi for my whereabouts for the past 24 hours."
"No, God. On top of what happened at the bar, someone may have been in my apartment. My sister-in-law saw all the texts you had sent me and she told the officer about them. Long story short, they just want to rule you out." I explain.
"Are you kidding me? I don't even know where you live." Lucas groans.
"I know I'm sorry to have dragged you into this whole mess." I apologize. He looks at me hard for a moment and then his expression softens. He surprises me by pulling me into a hug. My body melts into his almost instantly.
He pulls back and lifts my chin. "You look like you needed that. So is it safe for you to be in your apartment?"
"I'm not staying there tonight. For a totally different reason that I am not going to get into, but it will give me time to call the landlord and get things sorted out." I say.
"Did they get whoever drugged you at least?" He inquires. I shake my head. "Look I know we don't know each other that well, but if you need anything..."
"I'll call." I say.
"Will you?" Lucas touches my cheek and while his warmth is inviting, I recall Angelina's words.
"Look, I'm sort of a mess right now, Lucas." I admit.
"No, don't say that. We were just getting going..." He mutters, looking like he wants to kiss me.
"Kinsey, I'm tired and starving. Can we?" Angelina nods toward the exit.
"I need to go, Lucas." I tell him.
"Hang in there, Red. But just so you know, I'm not letting you get away so easy." Lucas promises.
I smile and take Angelina's arm. "Dylan doesn't want us staying at the hotel so we're heading to the house. But first we're picking up a shit ton of food because I am literally hungry enough to eat a small cow."
I literally guffaw. I didn't realize how hungry I was until she said something. As we wait for food to be packed up at a local barbecue place, Angelina orders two rib bones, gnawing on one and handing me the other. "So that was the hook-up guy?"
YOU ARE READING
Technically Speaking
Romance*** COMPLETED STORY *** With a rough past that sent her life down an undesired path, Kinsey has made it work. She's in a job she mostly likes and excels in. She's a bit aimless in love, but who doesn't go through a time like that in their lifetime? ...
