Chapter 13

When Jason left Abigail’s house after briefing her in on her new case, she had headed to her room to pack.

A couple hours later, she was fully dressed and pulled the zipper close on her duffle bag, she heard the doorbell ring. She glanced at her watch and raised her eyebrows in surprise. For once, Jason was on time. She grabbed her bags and headed to the door where she dropped them before reaching for the doorknob.

She pulled the door open and her heart did a little somersault when she saw Rick standing there. He was wearing a Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey with cut off sleeves and jeans. He brushed his hair out of his eyes as he smiled at her. Her brain emptied of every thought.

“Can I come in?” he asked, raising his eyebrows and looking at her expectantly.

“I..uh..just.. where’s Jason?” she asked, finally getting a hold of herself. She mentally cursed herself for acting so immature but was consoled by the fact that she was caught off-guard.

“We decided that it would be better if I picked you up instead. If anyone saw you two together, they’re bound to figure out what we’re doing.” He told her.

Abigail nodded.

“Well?” he asked.

“Well, what?”

He motioned to his surroundings.

He was sure she blushed.

“Oh. Sorry. Come on in.” she closed the door behind him, “Can I get you anything before we leave? I’ve got Sprite.”

He smiled. “No thanks. I’m fine.”

There was a brief, awkward silence which followed.

“So, uh, if you’re done packing, we better leave before we miss the bus.” Rick told her.

Abigail arched an eyebrow.

“And leave the famous Rick Camden behind? I don’t think so.” She said with a smile as she was about to reach for her bags, but in two long strides, Rick was beside her picking them up.

“I’ve got them.” He said swinging them over his shoulders on either side as she opened the door for him and locked it behind them.

She saw a car with heavily tinted windows waiting for them. Rick put her bags into the trunk before motioning Abigail inside the car and getting in himself.

“How did you find this place?” Abigail asked Rick, who was sitting beside her, as the car started on it’s way.

Rick turned to face her, his body shifting in the seat.

“Well, Jason gave me the address and Daniel here,” he nodded towards the driver, “Is from LA so he found it quite easily.”

Abigail turned to face him squarely, her face serious.

“Rick, we better get all the details straight if we’re going to get anywhere with this case okay?” she told him.

“Sure.” He said.

Abigail made sure that the glass window between themselves and the driver was up and secured before she proceeded.

“I’m sure Jason must have filled you in-“

When he nodded, she sighed before she continued.

“So basically I’m going undercover as your friend-“

“Girlfriend.” Rick corrected her.

“But I already told Sara that we just met and that you and I were just friends.”

“She’s not going to believe you, you know.” Rick told her, “Especially now that you’re coming on tour with me.”

“Why not?” Abigail asked with a frown.

He leaned closer as he lowered his voice.

“Because I’ve never known girls who have been ‘just friends’” he stated, “And now that you’re on tour with me will prove to anyone that you’re much more than that.”

His blue eyes held her honey coloured ones and it took some effort on her part to tear her gaze away.

“Don’t get any ideas, Mr.Camden.” she told him, her voice suddenly hard, “You and I both know that this is just a case, in the strictest sense of the word.”

“That it is.” He agreed, “But we do have to maintain an appearance otherwise people will get suspicious.”

Abigail tilted her head and looked at him.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re enjoying this.” She asked when she saw him trying unsuccessfully to hide his smile.

”Maybe because I am.” He said.

She shook her head at him trying to focus on the issue at hand.

“No one has to know the truth about us Rick.” She said, “You have to promise me that you won’t tell anyone who I really am.”

Rick frowned then.

“Not even the rest of fellas?” he asked.

“Not until I know exactly who is behind these threats of yours.”

“But it won’t be any of them.” Rick protested, “We’re like brothers. They’d never do anything to hurt me.”

“I’m not saying they would.” Abigail countered, “But you know this is serious Rick. We can’t take anything for granted here.”

He looked at her for a long while before sighing heavily.

“All right.” He finally agreed, “We’ll do it your way.”

“Which is the way we’re going to be doing everything if I’m going to be on this case.”

He raised his eyebrows at her pronouncement but knew better than to contradict her. He had a feeling the next few weeks were going to be interesting.

He knew she was trying to fight her attraction towards him. The look on her face and her voice told him that much. But he also hoped she knew she was fighting a losing battle. After all, he was Rick Camden. He always got what he wanted, especially when it came to women. And this time he wanted her. It was just a matter of time before he got her too.