Page 63 of Stanton Unconditional

“Yes,” I reply.

He stands and walks over to the stewardess. “How much longer?” he asks.

“Not long,” she replies.

“Good,” he mutters under his breath as he storms through the double doors.

Natasha

It’s Friday and I have survived Joshua leaving the country…just. I don’t even know if you can call it surviving. I’m running on auto pilot like a zombie. If I think, I will crack…it’s easier to function with no feeling…block the hurt…block the pain…if only I could block the memories. I’ve been listening to ‘With or Without You’ by U2 on repeat for days…it seems so fitting to my situation. I honestly can’t live with or without him, how am I going to do this?

I’ve been throwing myself into work to try and get on with it. I just wish I didn’t have to come to this stupid jail anymore. My job is really starting to piss me off. I think I need a change. Coby Allender totally freaked me out on my last visit to the courthouse when he stared at me like his next meal the whole time, he’s a frigging scary son of a bitch. Henry has assured me I am in the safe room today and he can’t see me, so I guess that’s a bonus. I wait in the observation room in a daydream, with a prison warden sitting next to me. Where is that spunky boy anyway? Jaxon…Jasper…Johnathon, what’s his name again? At least his annoying flirting keeps my mind occupied and off serial killers and my beautiful Lamborghini. I’m starting to think of Joshua with fondness again: six days…it didn’t take long. The door opens behind me and I keep my eyes firmly on the window in front.

“Swap seats,” I hear a husky whispered voice say.

I turn to see Mr. Cheeky falling into the seat beside me. “Hey, Doc. Did you miss me?”

I smirk at him and turn my eyes back to the window. “Yes, totally.” I frown as I try to remember his name.

“Jesten,” he smirks.

“Oh, right, sorry. I’m hopeless with names,” I whisper so the other guard can’t hear me.

“Yeah, I noticed.” He smirks. “Most girls remember mine though. How come you don’t?”

I roll my eyes. “I see you’re still full of

yourself.” He laughs out loud and raises an eyebrow.

We watch as the door opens and Coby Allender is led into the room, my blood runs cold just seeing the creep. I wonder if he really is a serial killer or is just so insane that he likes the game of fooling everyone into thinking he is. They still think he has an accomplice, but I’m not so sure.

“Are you giving me your number today?” Jesten whispers in my ear.

“Sshh,” I whisper. “I’m listening,” I reply as I keep my eyes firmly on the screen.

“This guy is boring. Listen to me instead,” he whispers back.

I giggle, this guy really is a dick. “No, I’m not giving you my number. I told you I’m not into you,” I whisper.

“Fuck off, all girls are into me.”

I giggle again. Total idiot. “Not me.”

“Do you always lie compulsively? Or is it just when you’re in the presence of greatness?” he whispers as his eyes stay on the screen.

I smirk at his ridiculous confidence. “No…only to losers. Aren’t you going out with short and slutty Barbie anyway?”

He burst out laughing. “Not that I know of.”

“Oh,” I smirk. “What happened to her?”

“I sort of told this other hot girl to think of me while she had sex with her boyfriend to piss him off, not realizing it would also piss her off.”

I giggle as I shake my head. “You are an idiot,” I whisper. “Yeah, funny, she said that too.”

I have to admit this stupid banter really does get my mind off things. The interview begins and we fall silent. I sit riveted to my seat.

“Are we being watched today?” Coby asks he looks at the double sided glass.