Chapter 15
The Eighth Friday
It wasn’t quite closing time when Sean walked me to my car, but Jack had seen me losing steam and had encouraged me to go home and rest. It had been a long day.
“You look like you’re doing better,” Sean said, his eyes pausing on my face before scanning the parking lot again. “Jack helped?”
“Yeah,” I admitted, wondering if I should apologize. Sean had noticed I was down, too, and had wanted to help.
“He’s good with stuff like that. I only picked up a bit of it. Just know you can call me, too. For anything.”
“Anything?” I asked, my smile turning a little too bright. “Even if I’m out of chocolate? Or if I stub my toe?”
“Especially then,” Sean said, grinning back as he opened my door. “Did I ever tell you I have a thing for feet?”
“You do not!” I slid into the car.
“I’m not sure about yours yet. Send me a picture of them when you get home.” He winked when my mouth fell open and shut the door.
I was still wondering if he’d been serious when I was only a couple blocks from the house and noticed the car behind me.
My neighborhood didn’t usually have much traffic at this time of night.
The headlights were bright in my back window, making it impossible to see inside the other car.
I frowned at it, my gut giving a hard twist.
I drove past the next turn toward my house, continuing straight until I reached a neighborhood that didn’t end in a dead end. A few more turns, and I’d circled back to the original road where I’d noticed the car. It was still behind me.
The twist in my gut had become an ache, and the hairs on my neck rose. I dragged out my phone, listening to it dial.
Sean answered on the second ring. “Hailey? What’s wrong?”
“Sorry. There’s a car following me, and I feel weird about it. I may be overreacting.”
“Come back to the bar.”
I glanced behind me at the headlights. “Okay,” I said, not wanting to argue.
“Keep the line open. He’s not getting closer?”
“The headlights are still bright. Too bright to see who it is. I mean, it could just be a little old lady for all I know.” I tried to laugh, but it came out too high and panicked.
“Then we’ll have a good laugh about it. I’d rather make sure you’re safe.”
I stopped at a stop sign under a streetlight. I started to go, but there was a car coming. I probably had enough room, but nerves had me slamming on the brake. The car behind me must have thought I was going because it drew closer, the headlights blocked by my bumper.
I saw a man with brown hair and a small nose and a blue polo shirt, the collar even more crooked than before. I sucked in a breath.
“Hailey? You okay?”
“It’s the guy from the bar. He tried to hit on me. Brad, I think.” Now that the other car had passed, I turned onto the main street, a little too fast.
“Shit. You’re okay. Getting close?”
“A couple of blocks away. He’s a lot farther back. I think he knows where I’m going.”
“Good. I hope he turns in so I can kick his ass.”
“He didn’t do anything.”
“Because you picked up on it. That’s really good, Hailey. That you turning in?”
The churning in my gut hadn’t gone away.
“Yeah. I’m here.” I turned into the parking lot, my lights passing over Sean, who stood near the road, before illuminating Jack, waiting at the open front door.
I stopped right in front of him instead of pulling into a space, my heart hammering as the car following me drove past the bar, not turning in.
I put the car in park, turned it off, and opened the door. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cause a fuss.”
Jack was already crouched beside me, my seat belt tightening around me as he wrapped me in his arms. “You okay?” he asked, his voice rasping.
I hugged him back. “I’m okay. He didn’t follow me in here, so I probably overreacted.”
“Nope. He knew you figured him out and tried to get away.” Sean held up his phone. “Got a picture of the plate for the cops. You call them yet?” he asked Jack.
“Not yet.” Jack pulled back, reaching for my seat belt buckle. “Come inside to wait for them.”
“I should park properly first,” I said, but I took his hand anyway and let him pull me out of the car.
“Nope, that’s enough driving for you. Let Sean do it.”
“It’ll only take a second,” I protested, but Sean was already easing himself inside the car, where the keys were still in the ignition.
“You took a couple of years off his life. Let him keep hold of you for a minute.” Sean eased the car door shut. Jack pulled me inside the bar before I saw Sean finish parking.
“I really am okay,” I told Jack, following his urging to sit on what I considered my barstool.
“Because you were paying attention. You were so tired tonight. When I think—” Jack swallowed, looking away.
He ran a hand over his hair. “I should call the police.” He pulled out his phone, talking into it when someone answered.
Hanging up, he settled onto the barstool next to me.
“They’re coming out to write up a report. ”
I nodded, thinking of how Brad had sat right where Jack was sitting not that long ago. “Did this happen because I brushed him off? Could I have let him down easier?”
“This isn’t on you. Some guys are just assholes.” Jack stood. “You need something? Maybe a water?”
I grabbed his hand before he could move toward the bar. “I’m fine. If I didn’t handle it right, I’d rather know.”
Jack leaned forward, kissing my forehead. “You handled it just right. Just like you do everything. You’re perfect, Hailey.”
My eyes widened as I stared at him. He stepped back, rubbing at that wonderful nose.
Sean clapped a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll sit with her while you finish closing up.”
“Right. Okay.” His eyes moved around the bar, and I let go of his hand. My eyes followed him as he moved over to the tables, starting to stack chairs.
Sean took the empty barstool. “He’ll calm down now that he’s got something to do. He’s just working through some feelings.”
“Oh. Is he mad I called you and not him?” I winced, remembering I had promised Jack I’d call. “I only called you because—”
“Nah, he’s not mad about that. He’s glad you called and that you’re safe. We both are.”
I nodded. With the adrenaline spike wearing off, my exhaustion weighed on me heavier than before. I leaned toward Sean, resting my head on his arm and closing my eyes.
“You’re okay here. We’ve got you. Rest until the cops come.”
Jack was just finishing up when they arrived. There were no blaring sirens or anything. Jack had Edgar watching out for them, and they followed him inside. I sat up straighter, too tired to overthink giving my statement. Sean shared the picture of the license plate.
When they were gone, Sean rose to his feet. “You should stay here tonight. The cops said they’d take a look around, but he could be anywhere along your route watching. Might be even more pissed.” He cupped my face, tilting my head up. “Besides, you’re dead on your feet.”
“I’m really tired,” I admitted, missing the warmth of his hand when he pulled away. I looked toward Jack, who still stood by the door. “Are you okay with me staying?”
Jack nodded. “Yeah, that seems best for tonight. Do you need to call Neil and let him know?”
“I—” The word cracked, and I swallowed. Saying I didn’t even think he’d notice would give Jack that look, the one that made his jaw tight. “I’ll text him so he won’t worry,” I said instead.
Jack nodded.
I pulled out my phone.
Me:
Staying with a friend.
It remained unread.
Sean bumped his fist against Jack’s arm when he passed. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Jack locked up behind him and crossed to me, holding out his hand. “Let’s go up so you can sleep.”
I took his hand, letting him lead me toward the Employees Only door.
He switched off the lights behind us as we went, leaving only the stairwell lighted as we made our way up to his apartment.
I moved to the side once we were inside, toeing off my shoes near the front door.
His space was as tidy as the last time I was there, with the magazine stack not even out of order.
“You haven’t seen the bedroom yet,” Jack said, moving toward the hallway past the small kitchen. “You can take it tonight. I’ll—” Realizing I wasn’t following behind him, he turned around, his forehead creasing.
I lowered myself onto the gray couch. “The couch is fine for me.”
Jack walked back toward the living room. “Don’t be stubborn. You’re getting the bed.”
The idea of curling up in Jack’s bed, the sheets smelling like him, was way too tempting. I lowered to my side on the couch, curling up my legs even though they had plenty of room to fit, and closed my eyes. “Too late. Already sleeping.”
I could hear his sigh from across the room. His footsteps returned slowly, the cushion near my head dipping. “Fine. Fall asleep. I’ll just carry you in there once you’re out.” His hand stroked my hair, setting off tingles in my scalp.
I opened my eyes, staring up at him. “Now who’s being stubborn?”
“Maybe,” Jack murmured, continuing to sift his fingers through my hair.
I didn’t want to stop him. Being there with Jack was so much better than the past years with Neil. Jack put me first. I couldn’t remember Neil ever doing that.
“I’m so tired,” I admitted, my voice breaking. I sniffled, not wanting to cry. “Between my mom and Neil and this, I’m just so tired.” I squeezed my eyes shut so the tears wouldn’t fall.
“I know you are. Come here.” He lifted me as he turned, trapping me against the back side of the couch, his legs swinging up, tangling up with mine as I straightened them.
We were both on our sides facing each other.
I turned my head and pressed my ear against his chest. His heartbeat was slow and steady, easing away the last of my tension.
My hands were trapped over his stomach, as if I was going to push him away. I didn’t want that. I closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth of his arm curled over me as his other hand began stroking my hair again.
“What do you think he would have done to me if I hadn’t noticed?” I’d been two turns away from the house. Much too close, and I doubted Neil had been there to help.
Jack’s hand paused, and he pulled me in tighter. “Don’t think about that. What-ifs never help. You did notice. That’s how you’re here with me instead.” He kissed the top of my head.
I breathed him in. From this close, he smelled like coconut, lavender, and palm trees. I could almost imagine we were on an island, just the two of us. “I like being here with you.”
“I—” His chest shuddered against me as he sucked in a breath, cutting himself off. His hand tangled in my hair, holding me close. “I don’t think I could have handled it if you got hurt.”
His words spread deep inside my chest, mixing with the knowledge that Neil, my boyfriend, probably hadn’t even read my message that I hadn’t come home. That was wrong. So much about me and Neil was wrong, but I wasn’t going to think about it, not when I felt so safe and warm in Jack’s arms.