"This looks like Ash, but not. This guy is a prisoner. It can't..."
"DANGEROUS CRIMINAL ON THE LOOSE"
"WANTED FOR ARMED ROBERRY"
"WANTED FOR ROBERRY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER"
"RUNAWAY PRISONER MADE ANOTHER THRILLING ROBERY"
"Stop it." Dave was saying. "Hey, I mean it. Stop reading that."
"Why should I?" I asked without looking away from the pictures and headlines on my phone. "This idiot didn't even think to..."
"Hey, Adey." Dave gripped my hand. "What's maddening?"
I looked up at his face. Was he crazy? Definitely crazy. A senseless person would have been able to tell that everything about the whole thing was maddening. Was Ash a nincompoop?
Wanted for armed robbery?
He was with me last night.
My eyes widened. Ash was with me last night. Did he do the robbery in his sleep or...
"He used me..."
"He used you?" Dave asked. "What do you mean he used you? Don't tell me you already slept with him."
"I did."
"The fuck Adey?" Dave's voice rose an octave. "You barely dated a day and you already fucked with him?"
"Fuck?" I blinked then shook my head. "I haven't fucked with him. I didn't do that. He slept over last night but he was gone when I woke up."
"Does your brother..."
"No, he doesn't know. Please don't tell him." I pleaded.
He nodded and appeared to think about it. "That's why you are saying he used you." Dave narrowed his eyes and lifted one brow, a playful glint in his eyes. He only gave me that look when he thought I was being a worked up cute little kid.
I sneered at him. I had more pressing matters to think about than his pretty face. "He must have been hiding last night. That's why he came to me."
"I doubt that. The robbery was carried out early morning hours. Just before sunrise."
"Huh?" I blinked at him. He did it after coming to me. He wasn't alright when he came last night, was he scared of the crime he was about to commit?
He must have left right after putting me to sleep. The son of a sod.
"What's getting you worked up?" Dave asked again. "The fact that he's a criminal or because he had not told you that he is a criminal?"
I tilted my head. "He didn't tell me directly but... I suspected it before he could say anything. He's scary and creepy and..." I made a cringing face before continuing. "I don't mind that... I don't think I mind that at all."
"Then why are you so worked up now?"
"I... I don't know." I laughed nervously. "I'm mad but I don't know what part of all these maddens me."
Dave silently eyed me. I felt like his eyes could see the very core of my being, perhaps seeing places I couldn't reach myself. With that thought in mind, I was starting to fidget in my seat.
Remembering the last time he made me fidget, I quickly said. "Maybe mad that he didn't take me along?"
Dave laughed and I felt myself relax under his gaze again. "You amaze me every time, you know?"
I tucked an invisible strand of hair behind my ear and lowered my eyes. "Don't say that, I have a boyfriend."
He chuckled aloud and I smiled at him. His face was turned upwards and his Adam's apple was jutting out. He should have asked me out before Ash, I wouldn't have rejected him.
"Don't do that."
I blinked. "Do what?"
"Imagine kissing my neck." Dave blew me a kiss. "You know I'll never turn down a pretty face like yours."
"I remember you turned my pretty face down before." I faced away, my nose sticking upwards.
"You weren't sober then, but if you don't mind, I could get you drunk now so we make out." Dave said and I turned back to him with a wide smile.
"Yes please, keep them coming and don't ever stop." I winked at him.
He clutched at his chest. "Damn, you're making it harder than it already is."
I beamed.
I loved Dave.
"Come on."
"Where are you taking me?" I groaned a while later as I was dragged from my stool.
"To a place where you'll find guys hotter than your boyfriend." Dave told me.
"Don't mention him. He's on the wanted list and I don't know when I'll see him again." I exhaled loudly. "He's probably already gone to wherever he had come from."
"You'll be surprised. Wanted people can be anywhere they'd like to be at any time they please." Dave stopped in front of his car. "Besides, the guys I'm taking you to will make you forget about your boyfriend."
"If they are that hot, why don't you take them yourself?" I asked him when he settled in the driver's seat.
There was silence from his end and I glanced over. "Dave, I didn't mean to offend you. You're obviously going there for the girls. I was simply using a figure of speech."
Dave looked at me long and hard before asking, "What if I am going there for the boys?"
I smiled. I hadn't offended him, after all, his sense of humor was amazing. "Much better, we'll pick the top guys for us."
Dave made a surprised face before grinning. "I like you, Adey."
"Sorry, Adey has a boyfriend."
"Wanted criminal." Dave unceremoniously reminded me.
"Makes him even hotter."
"We'll see about that in a few moments." Dave started the car and I laughed as he sped out of the parking lot.
Dave was doing everything he could to lift my spirits. It all worked. But, deep down, I could still feel the weight pressing me down.
I hoped Ash was okay. I hoped he wasn't injured during the robbery. And heaven knew I hoped he wasn't really the one that carried out the robbery.