Darkness Follows by J.L. Drake

on Emily someday.” She paused, smiling. “Or Mrs. Connors. Whichever you prefer, dear.”
    “Mother!” I snapped. I wanted to die. Luckily, Seth didn’t seem fazed by her. He just shook his head and gave her the famous smile that made the women flock to him.
    Johnnie, who was thoroughly enjoying this moment, stepped forward and removed his ball hat and introduced himself. My mother shamelessly flirted with him. He poured the flattery right back.
    Garrett hugged me from behind. “How are you?” he whispered. He knew I must be on edge with my mother here.
    “Fine.” I’m tired of the question.
    Seth moved closer to me. “So, Jenny is here.”
    “Yeah, she showed up at The Goose. Then she insisted on coming here.” I paused. “I would have texted you, but you didn’t seem to be in a talkative mood all of a sudden.”
    He closed his eyes. “Just have a lot on my mind.”
    I gave a tiny smile and touched his hand. He flinched. I dropped it immediately and took a step back as my stomach twisted itself into a tight ball. What the hell was going on?
    Garrett smirked. “Johnnie seems to be enjoying himself.”
    “Mmm…hmm.” I rubbed my stomach. I wanted to go home. I wished I hadn’t left the house.
    My mother bounced over to me like a fifteen year old. She loved it when younger men showed her attention, which would have been fine if she didn’t enjoy it so obviously.
    “Don’t frown, honey, you’ll get lines. Well, you’ll get more.” She stared at my face.
    “Thanks, Mom,” I muttered.
    She took my hand and squeezed it. “Johnnie has invited us to go to a pub tonight with everyone.”
    I shot him a nasty look. He grinned and crossed his arms.
    Seth shook his head.
    “Connors, give the girl a break. She needs to get some air.” Johnnie nodded at me. “Besides it’s the Triangle. It’s a cop’s pub.”
    “Whatever.” Seth glanced at Garrett. They exchanged a look, and Seth seemed to ease a bit. Garrett winked at me. They had a way of communicating without having to speak. Talk about match-made-in-heaven partners.
    “Jeez, how sick were you?” Mom looked at me, confused. “Never mind, we’ll meet you there at six.” She grinned. “Seth, dear, it was lovely to see your handsome face.” She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Garrett smirked again.
    “Mom,” I snagged her attention, “this is Garrett O’Brian, Seth’s partner.” I cocked my head to one side and watched the show begin.
    “Oh my!” Her hands shot to her open mouth. “Look at you!” She beamed and rubbed his upper arm.
    I grinned as Garrett stiffened from the display of physical affection. Even Seth hid his amusement with his hand.
    Garrett cleared his throat. “It’s nice to meet you…”
    “Jenny,” she interrupted him.
    “Jenny,” he noted.
    “Garrett, you look so young to be on the force. How old are you?” Her eyes narrowed in on his chest.
    It took all my effort not to laugh.
    Garrett grinned self-consciously. “Twenty-four.”
    She then touched his upper arm slightly.
    “All right, Mom, fun is over for now. We should go.”
    I looked at Seth. He stared at the ground.
    Johnnie leaned in. “She’s great.”
    “She’s something,” I muttered back.
    Seth leaned over as Johnnie left. “Be careful.”
    “Yeah.” I felt the distance grow between us. He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. He smiled at my mom and walked back to a desk.
    I glanced at Garrett for an explanation of Seth’s behavior, but he shook his head, looking just as confused as I felt. Seth was so cold with me. His flinch from my touch replayed in my head. He’d never done that to me before. It really hurt.
    Garrett pecked my cheek. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

 
    CHAPTER THREE
     
    I couldn’t shake the mood that Seth put me in. I fumbled with my hands the whole way to the bar. My mother sat across from me and sipped a drink from the limo’s mini bar. She was deep in conversation with someone from her office. She