Shadows (3 page)

"You're very welcome. I'm glad I could be of
service."

Chapter 2

W
e arrive at Ricci's
and score a front parking spot. I tease Kayla we should take a
photo of it, since it will never happen again. She rolls her eyes
at me as we head inside. Ricci's is a small Italian pizzeria and
bar. It's cutely decorated with checkered table cloths and pictures
of Italy adorning the walls. I spot Matt in the corner table across
from the where the bar is.

"Any reason we aren't sitting at the bar
tonight?" Matt gives me a lopsided grin, but his eyes never fully
meet mine. There has to be something going on. First he snaps at
me, and now he won't look me in the eyes.

"No, specific reason at all. I just thought we
might like to change it up and eat at a table this time.
Cool?"

"It's totally fine. You just threw me off, I
guess."

Matt clears his throat and I can tell he's
really nervous about something. Signaling with her eyebrows, Kayla
looks at me and then over to Matt. Even she is noticing something
is different. We sit down and the waitress comes over to our table.
She notices Matt and a huge smile spreads across her face. I swear
she must bat her eyelashes at least ten times as we order a pitcher
of beer and a large pepperoni pizza. I notice Matt keeps wiping his
palms across his knees. I'm just getting ready to ask him what is
bothering him when he lets out a big sigh. "So, I know you guys
know I have been working really hard lately. I've been doing more
than my fair share of work at the office. Especially since I had to
correct everything that stupid intern messed up. I guess my boss
noticed, because he offered me a higher position."

"Oh my God!"

"Matt, that’s great!" Kayla and I speak at the
same time.

"The new position means I will be moving
locations. I'm going to train here for the next month, but then
they are transferring me to Texas."

My stomach drops at the sound of his news. A
horrible feeling comes over me. I can't explain why, but it does. I
look over at Kayla and she doesn't make a sound. She's shocked, it
is plainly written in her expression. The conversation lulls as we
finish our dinner. No one really wants to speak about Matt's news.
Kayla and Matt head to the small dance floor next to the bar.
Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket, I swipe the screen unlocking
it. Anne has sent me a text letting me know she will have to cancel
for tonight. So this means, it's just us three tonight. I guess I’m
stuck babysitting.

Kayla plops down on the chair next to me.
"Whew! I'm done. These shoes are killing me. Who's
that?"

"Anne. She had to cancel.”

“
Well, we will have to make do
without her than. I’m going to go get another pitcher."

"No, it's cool I'll get this one." I stand and
make my way to the bar. Waiting for our beer I take in my
surroundings. What is it about alcohol that makes a person lose
their inhibitions? Why do we feel so brave and invincible with it
running through our veins? I'm watching Matt dance with some girl
who's looking at him like he is a feast, I fear she may actually
try to bite him. Kayla catches me watching him as I set the pitcher
down. She nudges my shoulder as I take my seat.

"So, Matt is going to leave us. Where does
that put us with a roommate situation, and more importantly where
does that put you two?" There's no attitude in her tone. She's dead
serious and I'm dumbfounded by her question. He hasn't even moved
out and she's already worrying about replacing him. What does she
mean by where does that put us two? I mean, we are friends, right?
My brain isn't thinking logically. It's in a slow alcohol induced
haze. All I can offer her is a shrug with my shoulders as I turn
back to watch Matt.

"Come dance with me."

"I thought you were done."

"Well, I recharged. Come on. It's got to be so
boring sitting here watching us all night."

"It's not and I don't want to. I'm fine."
Kayla gives me a knowing look and I brush her away with a wave of
my hands. She's always trying to make me step out of my comfort
zone, but I like it here on the sidelines. Between the three of us
we have finished off two pitchers of beer, which to some might not
seem that much, but to me it is. It doesn't take much to get me
buzzed. Looking up, I see Matt coming towards our table. He leans
over me, his arms stretched and locked on each side of me, with his
palms flat on the table. He's out of breath and his blond hair is a
sweaty mess. Taking a deep breath, he runs his hands through his
hair.

"What are you doing? I mean I know right now
you’re sitting here, but I mean what are you doing in a few
minutes? Can we talk? I just really want to talk to you." He's
nervous and trying to come off as it's no big deal, but I know
better.

"Matt, what do you want to talk about? I'm
right here. You're right here. Sit down and take a breather. You
are a sweaty mess."

"Do you like it when I'm all hot and sweaty?"
He raises his eyebrows at me and I can't help but laugh. Who is
this guy? He's definitely not the Matt I know. Taking a big breath,
he blows it out through his mouth puffing out his cheeks. He smiles
a huge grin at me. I notice the dimple in his left cheek. It suits
him perfectly.

"So?" Look at him brings back the bad feeling
in the pit of my stomach. I'm chewing the inside of my cheek. Now,
I'm nervous.

"Don't say anything, just listen for a minute,
okay?" My heart feels like it's going to beat out of my chest.
Nodding, I look around for Kayla, but I can't find her. "Eve? Are
you with me Eve?"

"Yeah, I'm here. I just don't understand." My
cheek chewing has now moved onto lip chewing. If I bite down any
harder, I might draw blood.

"I love you."

"What?" My mouth is hanging wide open. He
can't possibly be serious.

"We've known each other since elementary
school and I've loved you since the first day we met. I thought if
I grew up, finished school, and got a decent job, you would see
what I could be for you. Your head is always in your books. I know
you are waiting for some kind of fireworks to happen, but maybe
it’s right here and you're looking so hard you missed it. My
grandma told me once that we are all destined to fall completely in
love with one special person. I might not be your one person, but I
know you are mine. I love you, Eve." Leaning down he kisses me
softly on my lips. I don’t kiss him back. I can't, I'm in shock.
How long has he felt like this? Why couldn't he tell me this
sooner? Why wait until he leaves?

I can't breathe. I suddenly feel hot and the
walls seem to be closing in around me. Matt is staring at me
waiting, but I'm not sure what for. What the hell am I supposed to
say to that? I need fresh air. Moving my chair back, I quickly
stand. Matt steps back and I notice his smile has faded into a
worried look in his eyes. "Matt, I can't. I can't breathe. I got to
go." I grab my purse and dash for the door trying not to bump into
people on my way out.

The March air doesn't seem to be cold enough.
I lean against the building and take a deep breath. There’s a guy
in a jean jacket getting loud with some people across the street,
but one of the guys pushes him away. He staggers into the street.
Great, a drunk. What is it with people and alcohol? Turning my head
towards the front door I notice Matt walking towards me. He hands
me my jacket. I can't even manage a smile as I put it on. I run out
on him and he chases me down to bring me a jacket. Guilt is now
mixing with the bad feeling I have in the pit of my
stomach.

"Eve, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I don’t
want you to run. I know how you feel about me. I don’t know why I
said those things, I mean I do, but I don't know why I said them
now. We were having a good time as friends. Just forget I said
anything." Matt turns to walk away from me rubbing the back of his
head with his hand. I know he's trying to make this better, but I
can't forget what he said. What if he's right? Closing my eyes I
try to process the night's events. What if what I'm waiting for
doesn’t exist?

My thoughts are interrupted by loud voices.
Matt is now yelling at the drunk in the jean jacket I saw across
the street. "Go away, you fuck. I wouldn't give you a damn dime.
You're already wasted, I know what you use the money for. Sober up!
God, you even smell horrid."

I reach out to grab Matt's forearm and pull
him away. The drunk keeps yelling at him. I can't understand what
he is saying. Everything is so hazy and I've had way too much to
drink. We need to go. I pull on Matt's arm again, but he won't
budge. He shrugs me off hard and I lose my balance. I start to fall
off the curb and arms grab me.

"You okay, beautiful?" Turning my head, all I
see are gorgeous colorful eyes. It's the guy from the laundromat.
He helps me stand on me feet, holding my hands in his as he gives
me a once over. I can feel my skin heat from his touch.

"I'm fine. It's just my friend. We really need
to go." As I turn around, everything is in slow motion. Matt pushes
the drunk away from him and turns as if he's going to walk away. I
see the drunk pulling something out of his jacket and I scream,
“Matt!” He turns his head to look at me, but I’m too late. The
drunk lunges at Matt's side. He groans and I watch him as he falls
to the ground. Something falls from the drunk’s hand, clattering to
the ground, and he takes off running. What just
happened?

I look down at Matt laying crumpled and still
on the ground. I brush away the arms still holding me up and drop
to my knees beside him. The ground is wet and so very red. Why is
it so red? I notice a knife laying on the sidewalk. It takes me a
second to realize he's been stabbed. My hands are shaking as I take
off my jacket and press it to his side. He grimaces at my touch.
This can't be real. Fuck. "Matt, please look at me. Oh God, Matt,
fucking open your eyes!" Cradling his head in my lap, tears are
streaming down my cheeks. "Matt, please open your eyes. I'll love
you forever, if you just please open your eyes."

I feel like I’m lost. It’s as if none of this
is real and I am in horrific nightmare. People are rushing around
me. I hear someone yelling for help. Everything feels so chaotic.
Ignoring my surroundings, I focus solely on Matt. He's having such
a hard time breathing. His chest is barely rising and I can feel
his body shaking. My jacket is soaked with blood. It takes
everything he has left to open his eyes and he looks right into
mine. "I love you, Eve. You're my person." He starts coughing and I
wipe away blood from his mouth with my other hand.

I’m holding him in my lap as tears blur my
vision. I barely register the sounds of the sirens as they get
closer. I lean my head down and whisper in his ear for him to come
back to me over and over again. I feel someone pulling on my arm. I
look up and there are now paramedics yelling questions at me. Not
understanding what they are saying to me, all I can manage is to
say is his name. They take him from me and place him on a
stretcher. They are yelling stuff to each other and I can see lines
being hooked to his body as they close the ambulance doors. I’m
frozen in shock. I can’t move. Suddenly, I feel myself being lifted
from the ground. I’m vaguely aware of my surroundings. Someone else
is now asking me questions. Who? Turning slowly, I register there
are two cops in front of me. They are speaking calmly, but I don't
understand. Shaking my head, I just keep crying and saying Matt's
name.

"Eve! Oh, God. Please someone tell me what's
going on. Where's Matt? Tell me that wasn’t Matt." Kayla is
screaming for me.

It takes everything for me to turn and look at
her. It’s only then that I register there are arms holding me up.
I'm not sure who they belong to, but I don't care either. I realize
they are the only reason I am standing.

"Kayla, it’s so red. The fucking sidewalk is
so red. Fuck, I left him alone!" Frantically, I start trying to get
to the ambulance. I keep slipping in the slush still melting on the
sidewalks. Kayla grabs my hand. She's crying, but she's so calm
compared to how I feel. She turns my head to face her. "I got Matt.
Go change your clothes and come to the hospital. I'll be sure to
name you as one of his next of kin. You can't come like that.
Sweetie, you’re soaked. God, Eve, you're so red." She hugs me and a
cop escorts Kayla to the ambulance. It must be frantic because they
won't let her in the back. She sits in the front seat and barely
closes the door before it pulls away.

"Ma'am. Ma'am, I know this isn't the best
time, but the quicker we can get to the facts, the quicker we catch
the person who did this." There's a cop standing in front of me
with a notepad and a pen. "Ma'am, can you tell us what you saw?
Ma'am?" He's waiting for me to answer him. I manage to mumble
something about a drunk in a jean jacket.

"Sir, she's obviously not in the right state
of mind to answer questions. I'm sure there is some kind of
security footage someone should be asking for. Let me get her
changed and to the hospital. We will do the questions there. I'm
sure her only concern is her friend who just left in that
ambulance."

I don't know who's speaking for me, but I
couldn't be more grateful for their help. My thoughts aren't coming
together and I'm not sure how I can drive to hospital let alone
answer questions.