"Oh, jeez, Al. I'm sorry."
I shrugged. "That guy was just me being pathetic...trying to even the score."
Jon frowned, glancing back in the direction from where I'd come, as if seeing the whole thing in his head all over again.
"It didn't look like that, Al," he said finally. "It looked like..." His lips pursed. "Well, it looked like you two were about to go at it right there. I don't blame Jaden for being a little freaked. It looked like you knew that guy...like you'd kissed him before." He paused, as if waiting for me to provide additional information. When I didn't, he prompted,
"You sure you don't?" he said. "...Know that guy, Allie?"
I made a disgusted sound. "No more than you do." At Jon's puzzled look, I shook my head again. "It was your cop. The guy from earlier today. The black-haired guy who you said flashed a badge at you by the park..."
Jon's eyes widened in alarm. "The same guy? Are you sure?"
"I'm positive," I said.
"Why the hell would you kiss him? Are you nuts?"
"He was there...I didn't really expect him to go along with it like that." Hesitating, I thought about telling him I'd seen ponytail guy earlier, too, then decided that would only freak Jon out more. Biting my lip, I shrugged instead.
"...Look, forget it," I said. "You and Cass stay, watch the show. I know Cass wants to see the headliners. I'll just go for a walk and meet you back by the hotel."
"Alone?" Jon said. The alarm on his face grew more pronounced. "You really think that's a good idea? With that note this morning, and now a cop following you?" His expression grew uncomfortable. "...A cop that really seems to want to take you home with him, Allie?"
Hearing the overprotective tone creeping into his voice, I shook my head. "I really don't think he's a cop, Jon."
"So you think he's SCARB then? How is that better, Allie?"
"Jon...please. Just stop, okay? I'm really not in the mood for your big brother thing." Seeing the frown that came to his face, I sighed, realizing how that came out. "...It's not you. I just need to be alone for a while. I'm not planning any grand escapades...just a walk. I promise if I see anything weird, I'll call a cab and go straight back to the hotel." Hesitating, I added, "And I'll need to stay with you and Cass tonight. If that's okay."
Jon waved this off, frowning. "Of course."
He glanced at the door. I could tell he was fighting every impulse in his being by not telling me not to wander around New York at night on my own where he was also convinced I was jinxed. He'd heard me complain about my last trips to New York, so it was my own fault, really, from telling him too much. He finally nodded.