Chapter 19
Brody
It’s a slow, boring Sunday afternoon at Last Call. I had to come in a few hours early because the day bartender got sick. I left Alyssa at The Haven, happily mucking out the horse’s stall. She was laying the last bed of pine shavings for Midget, who was going to be picked up tomorrow to go to her adoptive home. The volunteer vet was coming out in a few hours to give Midget a once-over, and then Alyssa was going to come here for an early dinner with me. Granted, I’d have to stay behind the bar, but at least we could eat together.
There aren’t many people in here. I mean, it’s eight-five degrees outside and the skies are crystal blue. Everyone’s out on the beach while I’ve got my eye half on the TV, which is showing a baseball game.
My phone chimes, and I pull it out of my pocket. It’s a text from Alyssa, and it has a photo attached to it. The text says, This is my panicked face. When I tap on the picture, it enlarges to show a selfie of Alyssa with eyes wide and fearful, her mouth pursed into an “O”.
I don’t have a moment’s fear that she’s truly panicked. She would never send something so silly if that were true.
I type back, What about?
My mother called. She’s coming to town. She said surprise. I said ‘shit’.
Before I can respond, she sends another text. Will you come with me to dinner at her house Wednesday night?
Well, shit… the last thing I want to do is meet Alyssa’s mother. She has no connection to her, doesn’t really like her, so I know I sure as hell won’t. Plus, I know I’ll be like a bug under a microscope, and I just don’t feel like that type of scrutiny.
On the flip side, I know it will please Alyssa and she could use the support while dealing with an emotionally closed-off, superficial parent. I’ve never had to deal with that, which makes me think… I really need to get Alyssa over to have dinner at my folks’ place.
Before I can chicken out, I tell her, Sure. I’ll get Wed off.
She messages me back immediately. You are like the most perfect boyfriend ever.
I stare at her text and even run my finger over the words.
She called me her boyfriend. It seems so junior high, yet it feels so perfect. It’s a term that speaks of the newness of our relationship, where everything is a discovery. Yet, in some ways, we are old souls that have been matched up with heavy burdens on our shoulders. In that regard… she is my lover, my confidant.
I think on what to text her back, when I’m startled. “I’d like to get a pitcher of beer.”
I peg the voice as Chad’s, and I don’t even have to look up at him to confirm it. Looking at Alyssa’s text one more time, I turn my phone off and tuck it in my pocket.
Raising my eyes, I pin the douche with a hard stare and say, “What are you doing here?”
He gives me a carefree look and smiles at me. “Just having a beer with some friends that are in to visit me.”
I look over his shoulder and see two other dudes that are definitely Ivy leaguers and clearly slumming at Last Call. They’re wearing perfectly pressed shorts with button-down shirts and shiny loafers. They look like douches too.
Never taking my eyes off Chad, I reach for a pitcher below the bar and stick it under one of the taps. I don’t even ask which beer he wants. If he wants to drink here, he’ll take what I give him.
“So, how was the inside of your jail cell?” I ask genially, keeping one eye on the beer as it pours and the other on him to gauge his reaction.
He chuckles at my dig, but his eyes are icy. “I’m sure it was a lot nicer than your accommodations the last several years.”
That’s what I was looking for. I baited him purposely to see how much digging he had done about me and, as I suspected, he’s done some checking. That means he sees me as a threat, which means he’s still gunning for Alyssa.
Shutting the tap off, I set the pitcher down on the bar, take three glasses off a shelf, and set them down beside the pitcher.
Leaning across the bar, resting my elbows there, I curl my lip at Chad. “That’s right. No way a sweet boy like you would last a day in prison. With your pretty hair and soft skin, you’d be someone’s bitch by the first night.”
His face flushes red, and his eyes glitter with malice.
“How’s our girl doing?” he taunts me.
“Not your girl,” I grit out, leaning in further toward him. “And if you value your life, you’ll stay the f*ck away from her.”
Chad just stares at me, his face almost blank. My threat made no impression, but then again, it was fairly empty. I’m definitely not going to tangle with this douche, because any bit of trouble I land myself in will revoke my parole.
Reaching into his wallet, he pulls a fifty-dollar bill out and throws it on the bar. Calling over his shoulder, he yells out to his friends, “Let’s get out of here and find somewhere a bit cleaner to drink.”
The two guys get up from the table they were at and walk past us toward the front door. Chad eyes the money he just threw down. “That’s for the beer, and you can keep the change. I’m sure it’s the most you’ve earned in a while.”
I leave the bill where it lays, crossing my arms over my chest. “Stay away from her.”
He gives me a sleazy smile and turns to leave. Before he reaches the end of the bar, he turns around. “Oh, by the way… I think it’s just adorable that Alyssa gave you a key to her place. I’m sure she feels quite safe at night.”
My blood races through my veins, and the hair stands up on the back of my neck. The f*cker has been watching her place, and the fact he knows I have a key means he’s been at her house in the early morning hours.
I don’t respond to his threat but hold his gaze, refusing to let him see the barb hit its mark. He gives me a snappy salute, another grin, and stalks out of the bar.
When the door closes behind him, I pull my phone out and dial Alyssa. She answers on the second ring. “Hey, hot stuff.”
“Get inside your office and lock the door.”
“Brody?”
“Now, Alyssa. I’m on my way over to you.”
“Is it Chad?” she asks with worry. I can hear her closing a door in the background, which eases my tension. She’s taking me seriously.
“Yeah. He just left here and while I don’t think he’s coming there right now, I don’t want to take any chances.”
“Okay, I’m in my office. Door is locked. What did he do?”
“No time, baby. I’ll be there soon. Hang up because I want to call Wyatt.”
She gives me a quick okay and hangs up, and I’m proud of her for not breaking down into hysterics. I call Hunter and, without giving him the details, I tell him I have to leave. He tells me to just go, he can be here in five minutes, and the bar won’t fall apart in that time period. As I punch out of the cash register, I hit Wyatt’s number from speed dial.
“What’s up?” he answers on the third ring.
“Chad was just here. He’s been watching Alyssa’s house at night.”
“What the f*ck?”
“Isn’t there some type of restraining order on him?”
“Yeah, the judge put an order in place prohibiting him from coming within one hundred yards of her.”
“Well, he apparently doesn’t understand that,” I snap at him as I walk out the door of Last Call, pulling my keys from my pocket. “He knows I’ve been going over there after I get off work and that I have a key. Which means he’s been sitting outside her house at two in the morning.”
“Where’s he at now?” Wyatt asks.
I raise my head to look at my car, stopping in my tracks. I answer him through gritted teeth. “He’s standing right beside my car with two of his cronies.”
“Do not engage him, Brody,” Wyatt warns me. “I’m five minutes away.”
“No need to tell me that, dude. I’ll be cool.”
I disconnect and put my phone in my pocket, walking casually to my car. Chad’s BMW is parked right beside it, and he’s leaning back on the hood with his arms crossed over his chest. He smirks at me as I approach, and his buddies stand by idly with their hands in their pockets. I wonder if they know what’s really going on here.
“Where you running off to?” Chad jeers at me.
Stopping my progress, I turn my head toward Chad. Pointing my finger at him, I say, “I’m making sure you… you sick, stalking f*ck… stay the hell away from Alyssa.”
Chad’s face colors beet red, and a quick glance at his friends tells me they’re a little freaked by this interchange. I relax marginally because I can tell they’re not here to stomp my ass into the ground with Chad. In a moment of clarity, I realize he gets his jollies off by playing mind games with people. He would probably piss his pants if I came after him physically.
Standing up from his car and pulling himself up to his less-than-impressive height of maybe five-ten, he says, “Tell me… is Alyssa worried? Scared? Or do you make her feel safe?”
I don’t respond, because I know he’s trying to goad me. Instead, I turn toward my car, intent on getting in it and driving to The Haven.
“Or, do you think she realizes yet… that there’s really no such thing as being truly safe?”
I pause with my hand on my car door. Looking over the roof at Chad, I say quietly, “If you touch her or hurt her in any way, I will end you.”
As the words come out, I realize they’re not so empty any more. I can clearly envision me wrapping my hands around his throat and squeezing the life out of him. God help me, but the consequences of such an action don’t bother me all that much.
“Think you can take me?” he asks with a creepy sort of curiosity, his head tilted in question. Stepping away from his car, he starts walking around the front of mine. I notice his friends now look uneasy, and I’m positive they didn’t sign up for this.
When Chad rounds the front of my car, his hand reaches into his pocket and I brace for whatever he may pull out of it. He pauses, observing the way I’m eyeballing him with caution.
“Worried what I got in here?” he taunts, moving his hand around.
I don’t take my eyes off his pocket, and I don’t respond. I have no clue what may set this guy off and no clue what the hell he has in there. Could be a tube of Chapstick for all I know.
Chad starts laughing, and it sounds almost childish. His hand comes out and while I’m poised to lunge if need be, I’m really not all that surprised when he pulls out nothing but his hand poised in the shape of a gun. He points two index fingers at me, his thumb cocked high.
“Bang,” he says as he pulls his hand back and blows on the ends of his fingers. “Just that easy.”
Gravel crunching behind me grabs my attention, and I turn to see Wyatt pulling in the parking lot. He pulls directly in front of our cars and gets out. While he’s a plain-clothes detective, the badge that is clipped to his belt shines in the afternoon sun.
“Mr. Gates,” Wyatt says affably. “You and your boys need to get in your car and leave.”
“Not doing anything, sir. Just chatting and hanging out.”
Wyatt turns to me. “You want them here?”
“Nope,” I say, giving Chad an evil wink.
He turns back to the three guys. “It’s private property. You’re now officially trespassing. Get going.”
Chad gives a bob of his head and a friendly smile to Wyatt. “Sure thing, Officer.”
“Detective,” Wyatt corrects.
Chad nods his head again. “My apologies… Detective.”
“And Mr. Gates… let me remind you of that restraining order that’s in place. I’ll be making sure officers check on Miss Myers’ house frequently. Would hate to catch you near there and take you back to jail.”
Walking backward toward his car, Chad smiles merrily at Wyatt. “One hundred yards, right? I’m good with distances. No worries.”
Chad climbs in his car along with his friends, pulling slowly out of the parking lot. When they are gone from sight, I slam my hand on the roof of my car. “F*ck.”
“What’s your take?” is all he asks.
“Seriously twisted. This was all a mind game to him, but his message is clear… he’s not done with Alyssa. And you heard him… he’ll be at least a hundred and one yards nearby. He’s not afraid of getting caught.”
“You know there’s nothing the police can do unless we catch him breaching that order.”
“I know,” I tell him in frustration as I open the car door. “I’m heading to The Haven to get Alyssa. I think she needs someone with her 24/7.”
“Agreed,” he says. “Up for a pizza party at her house and we’ll gather everyone to discuss?”
“Seven o’clock?”
“See you then.”
***
Alyssa is embarrassed that I’ve gathered all of our friends to discuss her stalking, crazy ass, psycho ex-boyfriend. I’m not sure why… it’s not like she made him this way. Hunter and Gabby are here, along with Gabby’s old roommate, Savannah, who is also friends with Alyssa and volunteers at least once a week at The Haven. Wyatt came, of course, and rounding out the group is Casey, who is chewing on her lip in worry.
After we scarf down some pizza, we all sit around on Alyssa’s back deck, because it’s a gorgeous, warm night, and listen as Wyatt gives a summary of what’s been going on. I’m sitting beside Alyssa on a bench built into the deck railing, our legs touching slightly. As Wyatt talks about the restraining order, I notice Alyssa’s hands on her lap are shaking slightly… barely noticeable. Reaching over, I pick up one her hands and lace our fingers together. She doesn’t turn to look at me or acknowledge me in any way, other than to squeeze my hand tightly.
Glancing around, I see all of our friends are raptly listening to Wyatt.
All except Casey.
She’s staring at me with a misty smile. Her eyes drop to where Alyssa and I are holding hands, and then raise back up to meet mine. Her smile deepens, and she need not say a word. My sister is beyond happy for me.
When Wyatt finishes, I tell them about my run in with Chad at the bar this afternoon. Hunter curses, and Gabby looks sick to her stomach. Alyssa’s hand squeezes tighter against mine. This is the second time she’s heard the Chad story, and I don’t think it’s less upsetting this time around. My girl is scared, and that pisses me off.
“I’ve run a background check on this guy, and he’s clean. So either he’s never done this before to another woman—”
“Or he’s covered his tracks,” Casey supplies.
“Right,” Wyatt agrees. “But this guy is too cool about it all. He’s not intimidated by the police.”
“Or me,” I add on.
“Here’s what I don’t understand,” Savannah says as she stands up. She’s normally shy and quiet, but I think the very real possibility that Alyssa is in danger has her busting out of her shell temporarily. “This guy is smart. He’s educated, comes from money, and has everything to lose by doing this. Maybe he’s just playing mind games, and that’s all this is.”
“I tend to agree with you,” Wyatt says. “He’d have to be seriously deranged to risk everything he has, and I think… chances are… he’s going to get tired of it and move on. But—”
“We can’t take the chance,” Gabby says. “Not with Alyssa. So what’s the game plan?”
“Someone needs to be with Alyssa at all times,” I command. “I’ll be with her during the day at The Haven and after I get off work.”
“I can give you some time off for a few weeks,” Hunter says. “That way you could be with her 24/7.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” I muse.
“She can stay with us too,” Gabby interjects. “That way you can work, and she can come over to our house until you get off work.”
Alyssa releases my hand suddenly and stands up. “Can everyone please just stop? You are all freaking me out. No one is going to disrupt their lives because of this. We go on as normal, and I’ll be careful. But Brody, you are not taking off work, and I am not staying at anyone’s house. I want to live my life the way I normally live it.”
I don’t say a word because if I had my way, I’d tie Alyssa to me with a chain and cart her around with me every minute of the day. So I stay seated and watch how this plays out.
Wyatt tries to reason with her. “Alyssa… this isn’t forever. It’s just for a while, and we only want to keep you safe.”
Casey walks over to Alyssa and holds onto her shoulders. “Let us help, Alyssa. We are worried sick.”
Shaking her head, Alyssa leans in and gives Casey a quick hug. When she pulls back, she turns around and looks individually at each of her friends. “I love you, guys… a lot. But I’m not going to live my life constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for the boogeyman to jump out at me. I’m not going to have anyone babysitting me. And that’s final.”
Gabby turns to me with a frustrated look on her face. “Talk some sense into her, Brody.”
I pin Gabby with a thoughtful look, and then turn to Alyssa. Holding my hand out to her, she hesitates for only a second before taking it. I pull her to me, right down onto my lap so her back is resting against my chest. Wrapping my arms around her, I put my lips near her ear. “Are you sure about this?”
She nods, placing her arms over mine and squeezing me tight.
I look back at Gabby and although it goes against every bit of common sense I have, I say, “It’s her choice. Everyone, let’s just be vigilant and hope this asswipe gets tired of this game.”
Everyone sort of nods and murmurs assent, but all that matters is what Alyssa wants. She leans her head back on my shoulder and whispers, “Thank you.”