Nineteen
NINETEEN
Cierra
When I carried my dinner plate to the sink and looked out the window into my backyard, seeing the gorgeous blooms there, my heart skipped a beat.
Not only did I love what those flowers represented—the start of spring and new beginnings—but I also adored the memory of planting them with Greyson.
It was Thursday now, just a few days shy of a week since we’d planted them, and every day I saw them, I felt that flutter in my chest. Something so simple and beautiful made me so happy.
In fact, considering I didn’t have self-defense lessons today, I decided it was the perfect time to enjoy them even more than just having the brief glance out the window. I cleaned up the kitchen, grabbed a book, stepped outside, and took a seat on my deck.
A good book, the warm weather, and the pretty flowers Greyson and I had planted. There was only one thing that could make this better—if Greyson had been here with me.
Unfortunately, despite how much I might have wanted that, he was still at work, and I’d need to wait until tomorrow to see him. On the bright side, I knew I could expect to receive a call from him tonight. That, above everything else, had been something I could count on. Greyson was sure to touch base with me every day, even if our schedules didn’t permit us to see one another on any given day.
I’d quickly learned, however, that neither of us particularly enjoyed those days. It was evident since before we’d officially gotten together, and now that things had taken a turn in our relationship, the desire to be around each other hadn’t eased.
Getting lost in a book for a few hours tonight would be one of the only effective ways for me to not feel like the day was dragging, prolonging the time until I could see or speak to him again.
So, I cracked open my latest novel and settled in for the delightful couple of hours ahead of me. But I’d gotten about three pages in when my phone rang.
Maybe Greyson had gotten off early from work…
When I lifted my phone off the table beside me, my hope was dashed. But I wasn’t necessarily disappointed. My mom’s name was on the display.
“Hey, Mom,” I greeted her.
“Hi, Cierra. What are you up to?”
“Not much. I just came outside to sit on the deck and read for a bit. What about you?”
She sighed. “Oh, not much now. I’ve been working a bit these last couple of weeks to prep the house for the return trip home for the summer. Between packing up the things I know we’ll want to bring home to Pennsylvania as well as making sure we go through the perishable food we have here, I’ve been keeping myself busy. How have things been there? Are your lessons still going well?”
Speaking with my mom weekly, she knew about the progress I’d been making with my self-defense lessons. In fact, after those first several classes, where my muscles ached so deeply, I’d called her just to be able to complain to someone. With nobody at work knowing I was taking classes—I didn’t want the questions about why—and Naomi’s schedule being so packed, my mom was the perfect person to lend a listening ear. And as time went on and the soreness faded, I’d complained less and shared more about the specifics of the skills I was being taught.
The one detail I hadn’t shared with my mom was Greyson, though. Initially, there hadn’t been anything going on between us beyond him simply being my instructor, and by the time things had taken a turn, I’d decided I wanted to keep him to myself for just a bit.
Now, especially after him mentioning this weekend about wanting to introduce me to his family, I was a bit eager to share his role in my life with my mom. But I wasn’t going to just blurt it out immediately.
“Lessons are going well. I’ve moved on from the basic kicks, strikes, and punches to one-on-one attacks.”
“Oh, that sounds tough. Are you doing okay with learning the material, or do you find yourself struggling with it?”
I let out a laugh. She knew me too well. “By no means am I an expert in this. In fact, I struggle with just about every new skill I’m taught. But Greyson, my instructor, has been very patient with me. He goes slow, and he works with me on everything until I gain confidence in it. Then we practice the same moves over and over until I can do them without thinking twice about them.”
There was a moment of silence before my mom’s strained voice came through the line. “I’m so proud of you, Cierra. I can’t wait to get home and see all that you’ve learned.”
Something swelled in my chest. I might have been an adult, but there was nothing quite like hearing my mom—or my dad, for that matter—offer praise. It was nice to know both of them were proud of me.
“Well, I’ll warn you not to have super high expectations,” I started. “I mean, I’ve learned so much over the last couple of weeks, but with how slow we’ve been taking things, I’m probably way behind where most other individuals would be.”
“All that matters is that you’re learning and that you keep showing up every week.” Her tone indicated she’d not hear another word to diminish the work I’d put in. I couldn’t have loved her more for it. “Has there been any news from the police about the tire slashing situation?”
Wanting to keep my parents informed of what was happening, I’d previously told my mom about my tires being slashed. Of course, she’d immediately gasped and panicked, but after I explained it had been me along with three of my neighbors it’d happened to, it seemed to ease the excessive worrying. I was sure she still had lingering concerns, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been when she believed I was the only one who’d been targeted. There’d been no word about Richard Lynch or his whereabouts—not that anyone was looking for him.
“No. Nothing yet. I’m not sure we’re going to have a favorable outcome there. Without any evidence, there’s no good place to start.”
She let out a frustrated sigh. “Let’s just hope it was a random act of vandalism and that everything stays uneventful indefinitely.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “I’m certainly hoping that’s the case. But if not, at least I’ve got the cameras hooked up now.”
“That’s right. I forgot you mentioned finally having them installed. Your dad was so relieved about that. He went rambling on and on that night for a good hour about how much better he felt knowing there was a level of security there.” She might have made it seem that my dad drove her crazy about it, but the truth was that she was likely just as relieved by the news as he had been. I could easily envision her encouraging him in the conversation. “He’s eager to get home.”
This was the perfect opportunity to share. “I’m a bit eager to see you both, too. I have a surprise when you get home.”
“A surprise? What is it?”
“It’s more of a who than a what.”
The silence stretched between us as she took in those words. “Are you… are you seeing someone?” she stammered.
I could feel the joy radiating throughout my body at the thought of Greyson. “I am.”
“Who is he? Where did you meet him? How long have you been seeing him?”
Laughter spilled out of me, and I hesitated for just a beat before I revealed the truth. “It’s Greyson.”
“Greyson? You mean, your instructor?”
“Yes.”
“How did… Is that allowed?”
“We’re both adults, Mom. Greyson hasn’t mentioned that there are any policies against it at work, so I assume there isn’t a problem.”
“Is this smart? Is he still able to teach you? He didn’t think you were vulnerable and prey on you, did he?”
I wanted to laugh, but it was clear my mom was feeling a bit stressed. “Greyson is not that kind of man, Mom. He’s the reason I have the surveillance cameras set up at my place. In fact, he came here that morning and immediately took care of me. He’s been nothing but sweet and caring. He even planted flowers in my garden with me last weekend.”
I was met with silence. And after a few seconds, my mom spoke, but it wasn’t to me. “Cierra’s got a boyfriend, Darin.”
My teeth clamped down on my bottom lip. My dad was only a little more than slightly protective.
“Who is he?” His tone was firm enough that his voice carried through the line from wherever he was in relation to my mom.
“He’s her self-defense instructor. He’s the one who installed her cameras, and he planted flowers with her this weekend.”
A tense, lengthy silence.
I held my breath, my heart hammering.
“I want to meet him when we go home.”
Relief swept in, and I let out a sigh.
“Did you hear that, Cierra?”
“I did. We’ll plan it for as soon as you’re back.”
Any of the hesitation that had been lingering in her tone eased as she said, “So, tell me more about this guy.”
I smiled. It wasn’t how I’d imagined spending this time out on my deck this evening, but that didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy myself. Because I was able to pass the time, doing it while bragging about the guy who was going to call me when I crawled into bed tonight.
And in the end, even though they hadn’t said the words, I had a feeling my parents were relieved to know I had someone here who was looking out for me.
When I woke to the sound of my alarm the next morning, I didn’t groan my displeasure about having to get up.
It was Friday.
All I had to do was make it through my workday, and then I’d be able to see Greyson. I couldn’t wait.
Despite talking to him last night for an hour before I went to bed, it didn’t feel like enough. I wanted to not only be able to talk to him, but also to touch him and be held in his arms.
So, I got out of bed without hesitation, and I set about getting myself ready for work. Everything was going smoothly, and with that extra bounce in my step, it seemed I might make it to work just a few minutes earlier than usual.
But then I took my breakfast plate to the sink to rinse it before putting it in the dishwasher, and that’s when I saw it.
My flowers.
Outside that window in front of the sink, my flowers had been destroyed. They were either ripped out of the ground or completely trampled.
Devastation washed over me. Had some animal gotten into my garden?
I dried off my hands and walked out into the backyard.
Everything.
Every single flower was destroyed. The ones at the back of the yard, and the ones against the house, and the ones planted around the tree in the far corner of the yard.
I was crushed, my heart aching.
After walking back into the house and through it, I opened the front door to look at the flowers Greyson and I had planted along the path that led from my front door to the driveway.
Ruined.
Completely, totally wrecked.
Tears welled in my eyes as I picked up a flower and clenched it in my hand, looking at the damage. The entire garden, every part of it, had been razed.
Not a single bloom was left standing.
This wasn’t an animal. No way. Not even close.
My bottom lip trembling, I made my way back inside and grabbed my phone. I snapped a few pictures and immediately sent them off to Greyson. Seconds later, my phone rang in my hand.
“Greyson?”
“What happened?” he asked.
“It’s destroyed. It was obliterated. There’s not one flower left.”
“Hang tight one second,” he urged me.
I waited patiently, unsure of what he was doing, but trusting he wasn’t going to just leave me hanging.
When he returned to the phone, something had changed in his voice. “Are your doors locked?”
“Yes.”
“How soon until you leave for work?”
I glanced at the clock on the microwave. “Well, I’m ready now. I was planning to leave and get to work a few minutes early. Why?”
“So, you have some time before you need to leave?”
My brows drew together. “Yes.”
“Keep me on the phone, throw it on speaker, and go pack a bag.”
“What?”
“I just checked the footage from the cameras I installed outside your house. It’s dark, so it’s not easy to see details, but someone was there.”
My stomach dropped, a cold hollow feeling washing over me. “Are you… are you sure? Am I… Is he?—”
“Listen to me, Cierra.”
I snapped my lips together.
“I’m staying on the phone with you. I’m throwing on a pair of sneakers, so I can come to you. I need you to pack a bag.”
“For what?”
“You start walking up the stairs to pack that bag, and I’ll tell you. Okay? Start walking and let me know when you’re in your bedroom.”
I quickly became unstuck and moved toward the stairs, my body trembling with each step I took. A minute later, I said, “I’m in my room.”
“Good girl. Now, get yourself a bag and start putting your things inside. Whatever you need for a night or two while you stay with me. Do you have a bag?”
I moved to grab one. “Yes.”
“Put your things in it. Whatever you need, whatever you’ll want for the weekend. And if you forget something, don’t worry about it. I can take you back there myself.”
My feet carried me around the room, so I could pack up the things I thought I might need for the weekend with him. I didn’t really pay a whole lot of attention. My mind was so distracted, the worry sending my thoughts racing.
When I didn’t respond, Greyson called my name. “Cierra?”
“Yeah?”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m packing,” I murmured, my voice shaky.
“That’s good. Keep going. I’m already on my way to you. I’ll be there in just a few minutes,” he assured me.
Those few minutes passed in a blur. My mind was scrambled as I continued to just go through the motions and accomplish the task Greyson had given me. I’d finished packing everything I could think to pack when he told me he’d pulled into the driveway.
I raced down the stairs, unlocked the door, and swung it open just as he made it there. Launching myself into his arms, feeling his embrace around me, a wave of relief washed over me.
Relief and gratitude.
Greyson immediately responded and reacted to the situation. He cared enough to step up and take charge, to make me feel reassured by coming here to be with me.
“Thank you for coming,” I breathed.
His arms squeezed me a little tighter. “You don’t need to thank me, Cierra. I want to apologize for not being here. I’m sorry you had to wake up and find this while you were all by yourself.”
Once again, Greyson was proving why he was a man worthy of the feelings I’d developed for him in such a short time. Despite it not being his doing, he still felt a level of responsibility for where I’d wound up.
Greyson didn’t stop there. “To be on the safe side, I’m going to take you to work today. I’ll pick you up afterward, and then you can spend the next couple of nights at my place while we try to get a handle on this situation. I don’t want to take any chances, so I hope you’re okay with that.”
I loosened my hold on him, pulling back just enough to be able to look him in the eye. “I trust you, Greyson. If staying with you is best, that’s what I’m going to do. And if I’m honest, I’m not sure how well I’d sleep tonight if I was here on my own.”
Greyson cupped the side of my face, his thumb stroking over the apple of my cheek. He wore a look of such adoration. “I’ll be with you every night until this gets resolved. For now, I’m merely grateful that this guy, if it was him, stayed outside. What he did sucks, but at least you’re safe. That’s the most important thing.”
He was right.
It was just one more thing to be grateful for. But that made me pause. Because there was no question that things could have been so much worse, and I had to wonder why destroying my garden had been all that he’d attempted.
“What if that’s it?”
Confusion washed over Greyson’s face. “What?”
“He didn’t come in and try to harm me. Maybe that’s how he intends to get his revenge. Maybe he doesn’t ever intend to hurt me. Maybe he just wants to force me to live in fear forever of something like that happening.”
“It’s certainly a possibility that’s his intention, but I’m not going to allow that. It will not continue forever, Cierra. And just because he hasn’t made any direct contact with you, I don’t think we should stop your training. I still want you to have a means to defend yourself should the worst ever happen. Right now, I want you to do your best to go on about your day like normal. Let me handle the rest.”
I inclined my head in agreement. “Okay.”
“Are you okay now?”
Shrugging, I answered, “Better than I was.”
Greyson gave me a squeeze and a soft kiss on the lips. “I’ll take that for now, and we’ll turn it around later. Does that work?”
I smiled. He was so good to me. “That works.”
With that, Greyson loosened his hold on me so he could grab my bag and lead me out the door to take me to work. He held my hand the entire way there, and though I hadn’t completely forgotten about what happened to my garden or the terror I felt, I was reassured that everything would be okay by the time I walked through the front doors and into work.