“Evie, I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with you.” She screeched again. “Tell me about this Grant.”
“Well the reason I’m calling has to do with another guy.”
“You did not have a threesome.” She screeched again.
“Hailey, get a grip.” I sighed, though my face warmed at the thought. “You know I didn’t have a threesome. You know I don’t do threesomes.”
“Well, you never did one night stands’ either.”
“Hailey, non-judgment zone please.” I sighed. “I was doing you a favor remember.”
“I know, I know. So what’s going on with Grant and this other guy?”
“So this other guy was telling me about this girl that died and I think Grant did something to her. I think something fishy is going on.”
“Oh God, Evie, get the f**k out of there.”
“I think I should stay and try and figure out what’s going on.”
“Are you out of your bloody mind?”
“I was out of my mind when I agreed to do this job for you.” I sighed. “I didn’t even get my five grand.”
“I’ll give you five hundred if you come now.” Hailey pleaded. “Please do not go playing Nancy Drew, Evie. You’re not Nancy or Veronica Mars.”
“What about Stephanie Plum?”
“Evie.” She groaned. “Just come home please.”
“Grant doesn’t want me to leave.” I whispered. “At first I thought it was a joke, but I think he might be a bit of—”
“Why aren’t you in the shower?” Tyler walked into the room with a frown on his face. I quickly closed the phone and gave him a weak smile.
“I was just calling my friend.”
“For?”
“To let her know I was alright.”
“So you’re alright?” He shook his head. “You’re stuck in a house you want to leave, yet you call your friend to tell her you’re alright? Are you crazy?”
“No, are you?” I licked my lips nervously. “I’m about to go in the shower now.”
“Can I come in with you?”
“No.” My fingers trembled and I dropped the phone. Tyler walked over to me and we both bent down to pick it up. As we both grabbed it, our fingers touched and we stopped and stared into each other’s eyes. Tyler’s expression looked sad as he stared at me and I could see him studying me intently. He reached up and brushed a piece of hair away from my eyes.
“You have beautiful green eyes. They remind me of the night time forest near the house I grew up in.”
“Oh?”
“They have a dark green, almost brown hue to them. They’re inviting me in, yet I feel something treacherous lurking beyond their beauty.”
“You think I’m the treacherous one?” I gasped and he nodded.
“There’s more to you than meets the eye, Evie.”
“There’s really not. I promise.” I stood up and tried to grab my phone away from him. “I’d like it back now please.”
“Maybe not now. Maybe later.”
“What?” I frowned. “Give me my phone back.” I grabbed his hand and tried to remove my phone from his grip. My heart was beating erratically and I could feel my face growing cold.
“Sorry.” He shrugged.
“Give it back.” I squeezed his hand as hard as I could.
“What are you doing, Evie?” Grant walked into the room and stared at us, his expression blank.
“Tyler took my phone and I want it back.”
“You took her phone?” He stared at Tyler for a second.
“Wasn’t that your order, Sir?” Tyler responded quietly and I saw Grant’s eyes narrowing before he looked back at me.
“Come with me, Evie.” He held his hand out. “Let’s go and talk.”
“Talk about what? I want my phone.”
“Don’t you want to—”
“I don’t want anything, but my phone.” I pulled away from him.
“What’s going on with you?” He frowned, his blue eyes eyeing me warily.
“I want to go home now.”
“I told you, that’s not a possibility right now.”
“Why not?”
“Let her go, Grant.” Tyler’s voice was soft as he spoke up. “Just let her go.”
“No.” Grant shook her head. “I’m, I mean, we’re not done.”
“Done with what?” I swallowed hard.
“Stop asking questions.” Grant turned away. “Take her to the room, Tyler. Let her sit there and think for a while.” He looked at me for a second and then left the room again. I stood there feeling scared and annoyed at myself. Why hadn’t I tried to find an escape when they had both left the room.
“What room?” I shouted nervously and looked at Tyler’s blank face. “What room is he talking about?”
“The playroom.” Tyler said his expression cool.
“What playroom?” I asked again, desperately wanting to be out of this situation. “Please just let me go home.”
“That won’t be possible.” Tyler shook his head. “Not right now.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the door.
“At least let me shower and put some clothes on first. Please.” I begged him and he paused. “Please. I don’t want to go into another room with just this cover on. I don’t want to be na**d underneath.”
“Fine.” He pulled me to the bathroom and opened the door. I walked in eagerly, hoping that I could climb out of the window and escape, but he followed behind me.
“What are you doing?” I froze as he locked the door.
“Letting you shower.”
“With you here?” I shook my head, my face red. “I can’t shower with you in the room with me.”
“It’s the only way you’re going to be able to shower.” He shrugged and leaned against the door. “It’s your choice.”
“Will you close your eyes?” I asked him softly, my body tense as I stared at him.
“Would you believe me if I said yes?” He grinned and reached forward and grabbed my bathrobe.
“What are you doing?”
“Helping you get ready for your bath.” He loosened the belt and paused as the robe fell open. His hand dropped and he stepped back and looked at me, my br**sts barely covered by the thin material. “You should shower quickly.” He turned away sounding mad at himself. “I’ll give you five minutes.”