Chapter Twenty-five
Dani
I ’ve spent the last who knows how many hours just randomly driving around. I already had to stop and get gas once. I’d really rather not have to do that again.
I didn’t appreciate the stares and strange looks sent my way. As if they hadn’t ever seen a woman cry before.
Glancing at the clock, I realize it’s after midnight.
Damn.
I didn’t realize it had been that long since I ran away from Maya’s apartment. I’m sure everyone is worried about me right now, but I can’t bring myself to answer their calls or head back to them.
Maybe Maya’s right. Maybe I did bring this on myself, and I deserve what’s happening to me.
But the four of them don’t, so it’s probably best if I stay away. Maybe I can grab a hotel somewhere. With any luck, my stalker won’t have any idea where I am, and I can just hide away.
Or I could call my mom and stepdad. I know they’d love it if I came for a visit, but as soon as the idea passes through my head, I nix it. Going to them would just put them in danger.
No, I need to figure out a way to handle this on my own.
Except I have no idea how to do that.
I’m a camgirl and a college student, for fuck’s sake. What the hell do I know about stalkers except what I’ve read in books?
I know I should have more faith in the police, but my stalker was able to find me after, what? A day?
There were supposed to be officers posted to watch Maya’s apartment. And yet, the package was left.
Hell, they were able to sneak into a building with the best security in the area.
How am I supposed to keep myself safe from someone like that?
I can’t, which is why I’m just currently driving around.
Then an idea hits me—Gary.
My stalker might know we’re friendly, depending on how long they’ve been following me around—but after that very public scene we made, they wouldn’t expect me to go to him, right?
And it’s not like we’re best friends or anything—just friendly.
Now, the only question is whether Gary will forgive me and help me out. I guess there’s only one way to find out.
I scroll through my contacts until I find his name, hesitating for only a moment before hitting the call button.
“Danielle?”
I make a face. I don’t know why he insists on calling me Danielle. He knows I hate my full name, but now isn’t the time to dwell on that.
“Hey, Gary.”
“You’ve been crying. What’s wrong?” While his voice sounded a little annoyed when he first answered, now he just sounds concerned. “Where are you?”
“Right now? I’m just driving around. Look, I’m in some trouble, Gary, and I need your help.”
“Of course. Whatever you need.”
I really need to be a better friend to him because he doesn’t even hesitate for a second.
“I need a place to lie low for a few days. Can I come stay with you?”
“Of course you can. I’ll get the spare bedroom ready for you. Do you need anything else?”
I hum. There’s a lot I need, but nothing he can provide me. “No, that’s it. I’m heading your way now. I promise I’ll explain as soon as I get there, okay?”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll be here. See you soon.”
Relief rushes through me as I type his address into the GPS. I drove farther than I thought I had, and I have to turn around and double back to his house. It’ll take me about an hour, but that’s okay. It’ll give me time to gather myself.
I don’t need to show up at his door looking like a complete mess—maybe just a partial one.
Having a plan in place makes it easier to stay calm as I drive. Before I know it, I’m pulling into his driveway.
I climb out of the car, turning my phone off as yet another call from Andrés comes through. In the last hour, they’ve all called five times each—even Maya. I should let them know I’m okay, but I think it’s safer not to let them know my plan.
All I want is for them to be safe. They’ll be angry with me at first, but they’ll get over it.
“There you are.”
I glance up to find Gary standing on his porch. He’s backlit by the lights from his house as he gestures for me to join him. I hurry up the stairs and accept his offered hug. “Thanks again.”
“Of course. You know I’ll always be here—even when we fight.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I’ve just been dealing with so much shit, and I took it out on you. I’m sorry.” I pull back and give him a small smile. That’s definitely an elaboration, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“It’s already forgotten. Now, come on inside and tell me what’s going on. You sounded really upset on the phone.”
He leads me into the living room, holding my hand as I explain about the stalker. I hesitate for a moment before telling him about the others, but I decide it’s best to just rip the bandage off. Maybe it’ll be easier for him to move on if he knows I’m in a relationship.
As soon as I start talking about Maya’s reaction, my tears spill over again as he pulls me into his arms. Once I’m finished, silence surrounds us.
I swipe at my face, trying to stop crying, but it’s like now that I’ve started up again, I can’t stop.
I don’t know how long we sit like that, but eventually, my tears dry up and I pull away. “Thank you, Gary.”
He doesn’t say anything, and when I glance up at his face, he looks pissed and won’t meet my eyes.
“Gary? What’s wrong?”
I gasp when our eyes clash, jumping off the couch at the malice in his gaze. “Maybe if you weren’t so busy whoring yourself out to anyone willing to stick their dick in you, then you wouldn’t be having any of these problems.”
I can hardly believe the words coming out of his mouth as he slowly rises to his feet while I stare at him in shock. What happened to the sweet boy I dated in high school? The one who asked if we could remain friends? The one who made sure I always had a friend—even when I didn’t want him?
“You’re mine,” he hisses, mere seconds before the back of his hand meets my cheek.
I cry out, falling to the floor with the strength he put behind his strike.
“What’s going on, Gary? I don’t understand.” I shake my head, scurrying away from him as I deny what’s staring me right in the face. “You know I only see you as a friend.”
“I let you have your fun, but I warned you I was coming for you. I can’t let my future wife become an even bigger fucking whore.
How will I explain that to my family? The fact that you have a stretched-out cunt because you let gay men shove their dicks inside you at the same time, getting themselves off as they try to be straight? ”
I shake my head, closing my eyes as my head rings. There’s no denying it—Gary is my stalker. I just need to get my bearings so I can get the fuck out of here.
I wish I hadn’t turned my phone off because I could call for help right now. Luckily, it’s still in my pocket, as are my keys. All I have to do is get far enough away from him to run.
Scuttling further away from him and toward the door, I ignore the angry words he throws my way. I’m not even sure he’s paying attention to me as he yells.
As soon as I reach the hallway, I push to my feet and throw myself toward the front door. My hand grazes the doorknob just as I’m jerked back by a hand in my hair.
I scream out in both pain and rage.
Gary jerks me off balance, and I fall toward the floor. My back hits the floor hard enough to knock the air from my lungs.
Then he’s dragging me down the hallway by my hair. I can’t seem to catch my breath as I reach up to claw at his wrist, but he doesn’t seem to feel it.
A door opens, and he throws me inside. Another gasp leaves me as I collide with the wall. I can already feel the bruises forming on my body.
“Don’t worry, Danielle. I’ll help you see the error of your ways,” he says softly, crouching down in front of me.
“I think you just need to see how serious I am about you. Look around and you’ll see how long I’ve been watching you.
I’ve always kept an eye on you, Danielle. I’ve always made sure you were safe.”
I spit in his face, hissing when he backhands me again. This time, I can’t even lift my head off the floor as I almost black out.
“It’s okay, Danielle. I know how to be patient. I don’t think you’re strong enough to attempt an escape right now, so I’m going to go get my supplies. Feel free to look around as this is your room after all.”
Then he’s gone, leaving me alone as I try to catch my breath. I don’t know how long I lie there, but eventually, I’m able to lift myself into a seated position using the wall for support.
As soon as I do it, I wish I hadn’t.
I should’ve just stayed on the floor.
The walls are covered with pictures of me, and they’re not all recent. Some of them are from before we started dating in high school.
Fuck.
I really messed up this time, didn’t I?