Chapter 9

I quickly turned back around so I wouldn't get caught. What is she doing here? Who's that guy? Are they here as a couple or just business professionals? Does Zak know about this? What is going on? Oh, I swear I'm gonna kick her ass if I find out this is what I think it is.

"Hello earth to Lynn. What's going on? What's wrong?" Veronique asked, snapping me out of my mental diatribe.

"You see that girl up front with the platinum blonde hair, fake tan, and big boobs that just can't help but pop out of her shirt?"

"Yeah, what about her?"

"That's Courtney."

"Courtney? As in—"

"Yep."

"Then who's—?"

"Exactly."

"Well don't look now, but they're coming this way." She informed me.

"Just act normal. Hopefully she doesn't see us."

We sat in silence waiting to see where the couple was going to be seated.

"Here you go ma'am. Can I get you guys anything to drink?" I heard the waitress ask them as they sat down.

"Where are they?" I asked.

"They're out in the center where the tables are, caddy corner from us."

I sighed in relief, "Okay, after the waitress leaves I need you to do me a huge favor and scoot over so I can sit beside you."

"Why?"

"I have an idea."

After their waitress left, I grabbed my phone and went to sit beside Veronique.

"Now the plan is that we are going to pretend to take selfies, but in reality we are going to take pictures of them. Make sense?"

"This is crazy."

"Yeah, but it's the only way anyone will believe us."

"True."

I got the camera set up to take the pictures then we started taking some photos of the lovely couple. After about five pictures I got brave and decided to put the camera on video and record them. We made some more poses acting as if we were still taking pictures. We caught them holding hands across the table and then as we were about to shut the video off she kissed him. I quickly stopped the video. I couldn't believe it. She was actually cheating on Zak. I mean, it's one thing to suspect someone of cheating, but it's a totally different story when you catch them in the act.

After a few minutes of fuming I told Veronique, "let's go before I decidedly murder somebody."

I waved for the waitress.

"Yes, ma'am?" the waitress asked once she reached our booth.

"Here's the money for the food. You can just keep the change." I told her.

"Thank-you. You two have a wonderful evening."

"Thanks, you too."

We got up and walked out of the restaurant, hoping Courtney didn't notice us as we walked past her table.

"Are you going to tell Zak about this?" Veronique asked me once we got to our cars.

"Yeah, but not right now. He doesn't need this stress on him while he's on the job. I'll tell him when he gets back."

"That sounds like a good idea. Well, I'll see you later on, okay?"

"Okay," I agreed. We got into our cars and went our separate ways. The entire ride home I was between pissed off at Courtney and anxiety ridden over how to tell Zak. When I got home, I was greeted by Angel. "Hey girl. Whatchya doin'? Did you miss me?" I asked her only half enthused. I put the shopping bags away before sitting on the couch, watching Crossing Jordan. I couldn't really get into it though. All I could think about was Zak and how devastated he was going to be after finding out the truth. Low and behold, who else should text but Zak, himself. Speak of the devil.

Hey what's up?-Z

Oh nothing much just watching TV. You?-Lynnette

Heading back to the hotel to pack up and head home-Z

That's cool. How was the lockdown?-Lynnette

It was awesome We got some really great evidence-Z

Well that's good. I sat there staring at the phone for a good two minutes before adding I have a random question-Lynnette

Sure. What's up?-Z

Have you heard anything from Courtney lately?-Lynnette

Yeah a few minutes ago. She told me she was going to go stay with some friends for a few days why?-Z

I chickened out. Oh no reason I was just curious. You guys better be home really super soon b/c I miss y'all -Lynnette

Miss you too.-Z

You better lol jk-Lynnette

So what have you been up to all day?-Z

Oh nothing really. I was off today and I was bored so me and Veronique went and had a shopping day together -Lynnette I replied, purposefully leaving out the whole restaurant ordeal.

Sounds fun-Z

I decided to end the conversation so I wouldn't be tempted to blurt out to him about Courtney.

Totally. Lol. You guys be good and be safe. Let me know when you get here.-Lynnette

Okay.-Z

After another hour of inspiring television I decided to go to sleep. That night I had some crazy dream about Courtney, Zak, and me. I couldn't recall any details about what happened. I felt sweaty and my heart rate was going crazy. I quickly glanced around the room to make sure I was really alone. In the process of trying to calm down my phone went off. It took me a little while to really see the screen because it was so bright.

Hey don't know if you're awake or not. Just letting you know that we are on our way back home.-Z

Yeah. I'm up. What time did they say you would be landing?-Lynnette

Sometime around 9 P.M.-Z

I looked at the time. It was almost 6 A.M.

K.-Lynnette

I set the phone down and went to the bathroom to splash cold water on my face. I fed Angel then got dressed. Too restless to go back to sleep, I just changed into a pair of black cotton short shorts and a purple and black stripped spaghetti strap top. I lay down across the couch and started to watch River Monsters when my body decided to get restless and antsy. At first I tried to ignore it, but the more I ignored it, the worse it got. After about ten minutes I finally got frustrated and stood up. I grabbed a pair of headphones and my iPod before walking outside with Angel. I blared Nobody's Listening by Linkin Park in an attempt to clear my head while I walked Angel, but all it did was feed my anger and make me even more restless. At first I couldn't really understand why I was so angry, but then I noticed a boy and girl across the street all smiles and holding hands, lost in their own little world. My mind jumped straight to the restaurant and Courtney making out with that guy. All I wanted to do in that moment was punch the living daylights out of the first person I could get my hands on. How dare she do that to him! He has given all that he can to her and that's how she thanks him! OHMYGOD! I knew that little bitch was a sleaze, but oooo! When I get my hands on her! I started to run, not really caring where I was going.I was right by the Desert Breeze Park, almost halfway across town, before my lungs started to give out. I stopped at a water fountain by the front entrance to get a drink of water and let Angel rest a bit before heading back home.

I focused mainly on my breathing and the music the rest of the walk. By the time we finally got back home, my feet were killing me, I was sweating like five whores in church during the medieval times, my mouth was so dry I knew nothing would help, and all I wanted to do was crawl in front of an air conditioner and pass out. I wiped yet another coating of sweat off of my forehead with the back of my hand as I shut the door. Angel happily ran over to her water bowl and chugged to her heart's desire. I kicked my shoes off and painfully walked into my room to grab a change of clothes when I noticed my phone mixed into the pile of sheets on the bed. I checked it out of habit to see if I had any missed calls/texts. Nothing. I shrugged my shoulders and tossed the phone back on the bed before turning my attention back to clothes and cold air. I started out taking a cold shower to cool off from the blistering heat that I had subjected myself to, but then turned the water to hot once I started getting too cold. After the shower I put on some silver basketball shorts and a plain black tank top before crawling into bed and passing out.

I woke up to my phone screaming like crazy. I reached around for it to see why it was going off. It was an alarm that I guess I had set in my sleep. It was telling me it was time for work. Work? Oh shit! I quickly jumped out of bed and ran across the room to grab a uniform and get dressed. I hurriedly brushed my teeth and my hair before pinning it up into a quick-fix bun. I rushed out of the house with my purse and phone then raced downtown to The Witching Hour. I checked the time as I walked through the door. 9:56. Okay. Good. I made it. I let out the breath I had been holding. Now just breathe and stay calm. I went straight to the bar and clocked in before signing into the register and taking orders. I took my lunch break around 2 A.M. I checked my phone to see that I had five missed calls, two voicemails, and about ten text messages. Some were from Nick, some from Aaron, and some from Zak. The voicemails and texts all pretty much revolved around telling me that they were at the airport and that they would be home by sometime tomorrow and wondering why I wasn't answering. I rolled my eyes with a smile and was about to send a mass text to all three of them when my phone started ringing. I don't wanna love you, if you don't love me. I don't wanna need you, if you won't need me too. I don't wanna tell you this now, but it wouldn't be right if I didn't tell you this tonight. It was Aaron.

"Yellow is a color," I answered, being random.

"What?" Aaron asked, confused.

"Nothing, goofball. What's up?" I asked

"Nothing really, sitting at the airport in Chicago waiting on our flight to get us back to Vegas."

"Cool, cool."

"Hey, why haven't you been texting or nothing?"

"Do you REALLY wanna know the answer to that question or are you just askin' 'cause someone else is listening in and they wanna know?"

"You're good." He commented.

"What can I say it's a gift. Ask him why he wants to know so badly."

I heard him relay the message before telling me, "He says he was just asking."

"Tell him he doesn't need to know every intimate detail of my personal life. ESPECIALLY my sex life."

Aaron started laughing while trying to relay the message.

"He says nevermind then. He doesn't want to know."

"That's what I thought," I laughed, "Is he gone?"

"Yeah."

"Good. I was only joking about the sex life thing. I just wanted to mess with him. I went out for a walk this morning after Zak woke me up at six this morning. I left my phone at home. My walk turned into a run and didn't realize how far I'd gone until I saw the Dessert Breeze Park sign so I walked back home and proceeded to pass out after I cooled off. I didn't wake up until it was time for work so I just now was able to check my phone. Which is why y'all haven't gotten any love from me today. I sowy."

"Oh, I see. It's cool. Did you have fun at least?"

"Fun? No, but it did give me a chance to clear my head and try to figure out what I'm gonna do."

"Going to do about what?"

Oh shit "Oh, just this thing for work, but I'll talk to you guys more about it when you get back."

"Okay."

"But otherwise, how was the lockdown?"

"Scary as shit."

"You always say that," I teased.

"No I don't."

"Yes you do."

"Nuh uh."

"Do too," I laughed, "Hey, I gotta get back to work, but I'll text you or something when I get off."

"Okay. Later Lynn"

"Bye." I hung up the phone before mentally chastising myself for almost telling Aaron about the Courtney thing. What if Zak was listening in? That would've ruined everything. No. I had a plan. Now all I have to do is stick to it.