11. Lilly
Lilly
FEB. 13TH - THURSDAY
T his is the longest day ever. I should have just stayed home. Honestly, I'm not sure what I thought was going to happen when I got dragged to the office today, but I shouldn't have gone. I really, really , shouldn't have.
If I didn't know what to do before, then I have absolutely no idea what to do now. I'm hiding again. The guys think I'm not feeling well, so they're letting me relax. I hate lying. And even if I did lie, I’m not good at it. I swear I can't hold my secrets for the life of me when it comes to them.
My stomach churns at the thought of telling them what's happening with Brett. I know I can tell Dean without much repercussion. But telling Aaron could ruin his career and Caleb's a bit more aggressive than the other two. I can't help but wonder what he would say if he didn't believe me.
Would they believe me? I have no proof. I need proof .
My phone vibrating snaps me out of my thoughts. Assuming it's Aaron letting us know he's on his way home, I ignore it and continue biting my nail. Another incoming text has me reaching for the phone. Maybe something happened...
Unknown Number: Hello, my little tease.
The headache thundering through my skull pounds as my eyebrows draw down. My mind is stuck trying to figure out who this is, while my hands turn slick and my heart drops to my stomach.
Unknown Number: I thought I could help you out since you’re so hellbent on this innocent act. You want me? You got me.
Bile rises, but my fingers still lift to reply.
Me: Who is this?
Unknown Number: Don't be dense. It's not cute. I warned you about playing with fire, Lilly. It's about time I mark you like you keep asking for.
What the fuck is happening?!
My brain finally catches up to the panic attack coursing through my body.
How did Brett get my number?! What do I do? What do I do? What the fuck do I do?!
Unknown Number: What did I say would happen if you didn't act on your slutty behavior, Lilly?
I'm going to throw up. Footsteps out in the hall make me tense. I'm not doing anything wrong, but the urge to hide myself and my phone is riding me hard. I'm in full flight or fight mode, and the soles of my feet are itching to flee.
Tucking my phone into my sweatshirt pocket, I approach the door and peek my head out. I don't see Dean or Caleb, so I take the opening and scurry to the bathroom down the hall.
I take care not to slam the door behind me so they’re not suspicious. I normally take baths in here, so hopefully they'll assume I'm taking some me time. With the door locked and the water running in the tub, I collapse onto the toilet seat. My hands tremble as I tug my phone out.
There are no new messages. It should be a relief, but the threat hangs over my head like a storm cloud about to strike me down. I start to block him, but realization hits me. This is my proof. I just have to make it obvious.
Me: Please leave me alone, Brett.
I just need him to admit that this is him. I know it's Brett. But nobody else would be able to tell and if he's messaging me from a number that's not his own, nobody would be able to track it to him.
My anxiety weaves its way around every possible scenario, forcing me to think through anything that could go wrong.
Unknown Number: Call me sir. Just like Aaron does. Don't forget his job is in my hands, Lilly.
Unknown Number: You asked for this. Teasing me.
Unknown Number: Taunting me with that skintight dress at dinner.
Unknown Number: Walking around my building alone, wanting to be found in a dark corner.
Unknown Number: Rubbing your tight body up against mine on Aaron's first day.
The messages keep coming. Each one trying their damnedest to make me question my behavior. But the fact of the matter is that I didn't want any of those situations. I didn't want to go to that dinner. Being cornered in the elevator was terrifying. And running into him on Monday was a complete accident.
Me: No. I didn't want any of that. And I don't want this. Leave me alone, Brett, or I'll tell Aaron.
I'm telling Aaron, even if he leaves me alone.
Unknown Number: You tell anyone, and Aaron will lose his dream job, Lilly. Don't test me.
Unknown Number: I knew from the moment your breasts pressed against me and your wide eyes looked up at me that you were a selfish bitch.
Unknown Number: Having three men? You’re a slut and you want me too. I'd be very interested to know how you lured Caleb, Dean, and Aaron into your trap. Did you tease them until their cocks ached to see you stammering and denying your behavior?
Unknown Number: I bet you’re wet right now like the twisted whore I knew you to be at first glance. Everyone can see how desperate you are. Three men... tsk tsk.
Unknown Number: Don't worry. You can have your fourth. I won't share for long though.
I'm absolutely trembling. He's wrong. I know he is. I didn't do anything, but Brett seems to know exactly what to say to make me question everything about myself.
How many times has he done this?
Warmth brushes my knee. "Shit!" I hiss and dive for to turn the tub faucet off. As I'm soaking up the water that overflowed, voices reach me. They're muffled, probably in the kitchen, but I still hear their conversation.
"That's perfect!" Dean gushes. I can feel his excitement from here.
"I need both of you to help me set up." Aaron's home.
Caleb murmurs something too low for me to make out, but Dean's words are clear as day. "I hope she loves it. This is going to be the best Valentine’s Day gift ever."
"Of course she'll love it," Caleb replies with gusto.
My phone continues to vibrate on the counter as I dry my hands. I have all the proof I need that Aaron's boss is harassing me. Threatening us too. And it's not going anywhere. In fact, with each message coming through, Brett digs himself an even deeper hole.
"I'm so excited." That's Aaron.
Whatever they have planned for our date tomorrow is making him incredibly happy. All three of them. I can't ruin this too. I'll give them Valentine's Day, then I'm telling them everything.
I really hope I can keep this a secret for one more day.
"This is gonna be fucking awesome!"
Sighing, I soak in Dean's happiness. I force my eyes to ignore the messages as I screenshot them before I block Brett's number. The evidence will still be there tomorrow. I can handle one more day of anxiety if it means they have the romantic evening they want.
I'll be okay as long as they are.