Mister Distraction (Distraction #2) by Stephanie Jean Page B

because truthfully I was already missing it. His anger toward me was making me feel unsettled. He turned away fast, retreating to his car.
    Why the fuck did I hug him?
Was all I could think as the police car pulled away, and his car followed.
What the fuck? What. The. Fuck
.

Chapter Six

    I scaled the stairs and cleaned up the glass. I threw away broken picture frames, and picked up chairs and tables. I kept myself busy with the cleaning and had put most of Bettina’s stuff in garbage bags and boxes. The place was spotless when I finally sat down. I heard my phone go off and I reached for it. It was Jessie, my sister.
    “Hey, sis,” I yawed, not sure of the time.
    “I missed you this morning; just calling to make sure you’re all right.”
What was she talking about?
I looked at the time on the microwave: 7:20.
    “Oh, shit! I gotta go.” I hung up, grabbed Bo, and we left.
    I made it to the coffeehouse across town in record time. Bo watched me from the front seat of my Jeep as I hurried in to get a latte. My eyes found Katarina right away. She was already at the table with her computer open. While I was ordering my drink, I noticed the girl taking my order from last week. She gave me her seductive smile as she took my order, but I was in no mood to play into it. I reached for my wallet when my phone went off. It read Brad Christianson. I answered it.
    “Hey, can I call you right back? I am about to pay for my coffee.” I heard laughter on the other side of the phone, the kind of laughter that reminds me of chewing on glass.
    “That should be tough because I have your wallet.” It was Bettina. I heard what sounded like a grinder in the background. “I am using your credit cards now.” The grinding sound increased. “That’s my brother’s shredder.” She was hatefully cackling, and I felt my blood pressureincrease as my aggression level took over. My fist curled into a ball, and my eyes started twitching. I was going to kill this raging bitch on the other end of the phone.
    “What the fuck, Bettina? How did you get my wallet?” I was reaching all over my pants, trying to find it. Brad must have swiped it when I hugged him last night.
    “My brother actually gave it to me. He’s asleep, but I know he wouldn’t mind if I borrowed it. I will keep the cash so I can find another place to live. I think that’s fair.”
    “I want my wallet back, you bitch.” I observed a few raised eyes at my language and at how loud I was getting. I turned away from the glaring, eavesdropping people. “Fine, keep the money, but I need my license and other things in my wallet. Bettina, I am serious, stop shredding my stuff.” My voice was hoarse from yelling. I was sick of being furious and tired.
    I had the urge to throw my phone, but knew that would be one more thing I would have to deal with. I ended the call and spun around, catching sight of Katarina scurrying out of the coffeehouse. Shit, I wanted to follow her. I was positive I scared her.
Fuck
. I slammed my phone on the counter, breaking the screen. A man behind the coffee counter approached me, the same man Katarina waved at every day.
    “It will be a second for your coffee.” I stepped aside, not knowing what to say. This was by far the worst day to date. Up all frickin’ night dealing with Bondage Barbie on crack, and now I had no wallet. I stalked to the end of the counter and put my face in my hands. I was beaten, and I wanted to go bury myself in bed and never wake up.
Fuck
. I closed my eyes and whispered, “Please, God, don’t let me have scared her off.”
    I opened my eyes, and the man who approached me at the counter was standing before me.
    “Thank you for the coffee,” I said, and gave him a slight nod. He smiled as if he had a secret to tell.
    “It was her—the girl you watch every day—she bought you the coffee.” My eyes lit up, and I felt a smile creep across my face. I couldn’t stop it.
    “Are you sure it was her?” I asked. He just