Mirrors on the Outside
Chapter 28
~Laura’s POV~
To say that the walk to the drugstore with Tony and Jaime on either side of me is awkward would almost be disrespectful to the degree of uncomfortable it is. Not to mention the stares we’re getting because, let’s face it, Tony’s an intimidating guy, and all three of us are holding hands. I’m a little too lost in the moment to care, however.
I don’t want this to be the end. I can’t let the fact that I’m still practically a child be the end of me and Jaime, because I love him. I love him with everything I have, and I don’t see myself ever moving on from him.
But I don’t know that the same is true for him. For goodness’ sakes, he’s a rock star! If he wanted someone better than me, he could get it in a heartbeat, and that scares me. I know it’s really my fault, but….
“Laura? Laura, are you okay?” Jaime’s concerned voice asks me.
I bite my lip and wipe away the tear that had started to form. “Yeah, I’m just really sorry. I know you’ll probably want to break up, but if you could just give me a chance, I’d….”
He laughs. Jaime fucking laughs. I arch my eyebrows, honestly pretty mad. “What the fuck? I’m trying to talk to you honestly about how I feel and you laugh.”
“No, no, oh my goodness. Just the thought that I’d leave you over my mistake, that’s ridiculous. You don’t want to break up, do you?” He asks, still concerned.
I breathe a deep sigh of relief and squeeze his hand. “Of course not. I love you too much for that.”
Tony clears his throat. “I’m really glad we got that all figured out guys, but we should probably go inside the store now.”
Oh, right, we still had something to take care of. Although important, I’m not entirely grateful that Tony made the mood somber once again. He seems really upset, and I don’t get why. “Tone, what’s wrong?” I ask him as Jaime approaches the pharmacy counter, insisting that he has to pay for his own mistake.
“I was just scared, honestly. You were in tears, avoiding Jaime and eye contact or words with me. I thought he’d done something even worse to hurt you. I’m just trying to process everything, I guess. But don’t you worry about me, hon, I’ll be okay.”
“You’ll be okay?” Jaime asks, clearly concerned for his friend when he comes back with the pill, catching the end of our conversation.
Tony just nods. “I’m gonna go to Vic and Mike’s; I’ll see you guys later.” Tony goes to leave, but I wrap him in a tight hug first. He barely responds, but gives me a weak smile before leaving.
Jaime looks at me, confused. “What’s going on with him?” I tell him exactly what Tony told me, and he seems to understand. “Let’s go home, love.”
He takes my hand and we begin to walk back to the apartment building, but it’s a lot more comfortable than the trip to the store. At least, until we get inside and see his door wide open, items strewn about the front hall. Jaime stands in front of me defensively, walking carefully into the apartment. He’s not careful enough though, as I watch in horror as a vase makes contact with his head.
My scream is lost as a hand covers my mouth with a damp rag, and I pass out before I can tell just what on earth is going on.
~Mystery POV~
“Yeah, got them both. We’re on our way now. No, nobody saw a thing. See you soon.” I hang up the phone, irritated. A guy hires you to do some dirty work and they suddenly think they’re king of the fucking universe.
They just better follow through; give me the girl and the money after they’re done with her. I lick my lips subconsciously as I look in the backseat. Seeing her all tied up now honestly just makes me excited for what’s to come.
I turn back to facing front and smirk, pleased with myself. Another job well done.
To say that the walk to the drugstore with Tony and Jaime on either side of me is awkward would almost be disrespectful to the degree of uncomfortable it is. Not to mention the stares we’re getting because, let’s face it, Tony’s an intimidating guy, and all three of us are holding hands. I’m a little too lost in the moment to care, however.
I don’t want this to be the end. I can’t let the fact that I’m still practically a child be the end of me and Jaime, because I love him. I love him with everything I have, and I don’t see myself ever moving on from him.
But I don’t know that the same is true for him. For goodness’ sakes, he’s a rock star! If he wanted someone better than me, he could get it in a heartbeat, and that scares me. I know it’s really my fault, but….
“Laura? Laura, are you okay?” Jaime’s concerned voice asks me.
I bite my lip and wipe away the tear that had started to form. “Yeah, I’m just really sorry. I know you’ll probably want to break up, but if you could just give me a chance, I’d….”
He laughs. Jaime fucking laughs. I arch my eyebrows, honestly pretty mad. “What the fuck? I’m trying to talk to you honestly about how I feel and you laugh.”
“No, no, oh my goodness. Just the thought that I’d leave you over my mistake, that’s ridiculous. You don’t want to break up, do you?” He asks, still concerned.
I breathe a deep sigh of relief and squeeze his hand. “Of course not. I love you too much for that.”
Tony clears his throat. “I’m really glad we got that all figured out guys, but we should probably go inside the store now.”
Oh, right, we still had something to take care of. Although important, I’m not entirely grateful that Tony made the mood somber once again. He seems really upset, and I don’t get why. “Tone, what’s wrong?” I ask him as Jaime approaches the pharmacy counter, insisting that he has to pay for his own mistake.
“I was just scared, honestly. You were in tears, avoiding Jaime and eye contact or words with me. I thought he’d done something even worse to hurt you. I’m just trying to process everything, I guess. But don’t you worry about me, hon, I’ll be okay.”
“You’ll be okay?” Jaime asks, clearly concerned for his friend when he comes back with the pill, catching the end of our conversation.
Tony just nods. “I’m gonna go to Vic and Mike’s; I’ll see you guys later.” Tony goes to leave, but I wrap him in a tight hug first. He barely responds, but gives me a weak smile before leaving.
Jaime looks at me, confused. “What’s going on with him?” I tell him exactly what Tony told me, and he seems to understand. “Let’s go home, love.”
He takes my hand and we begin to walk back to the apartment building, but it’s a lot more comfortable than the trip to the store. At least, until we get inside and see his door wide open, items strewn about the front hall. Jaime stands in front of me defensively, walking carefully into the apartment. He’s not careful enough though, as I watch in horror as a vase makes contact with his head.
My scream is lost as a hand covers my mouth with a damp rag, and I pass out before I can tell just what on earth is going on.
~Mystery POV~
“Yeah, got them both. We’re on our way now. No, nobody saw a thing. See you soon.” I hang up the phone, irritated. A guy hires you to do some dirty work and they suddenly think they’re king of the fucking universe.
They just better follow through; give me the girl and the money after they’re done with her. I lick my lips subconsciously as I look in the backseat. Seeing her all tied up now honestly just makes me excited for what’s to come.
I turn back to facing front and smirk, pleased with myself. Another job well done.
8/18/13