Chapter 31 – Philip
“Gun!” Jake barks over the comms. “Mateo, go!”
This is the signal I’ve been waiting for. We all have. Once we realize Christian is armed, it’s imperative we get Haley out of range.
Mateo is positioned closest to Christian. He pulls Christian off his chair and slams him face down on the floor. After he drives a knee into the middle of Christian’s back, he pins Christian’s arms behind him.
Mack is already on his feet. He pulls Haley from her seat and shoves her toward Charlie, who’s waiting to hustle her to safety. Charlie rushes Haley into the kitchen and right into my waiting arms. As much as I want to go out there and beat Christian senseless, my priority is Haley.
“It’s Christian!” she cries, quite unnecessarily.
I hold her at arm’s length so I can scan her body. “Are you hurt?”
“No. Just freaked out. It’s Christian!”
I cup her face and kiss her forehead. “We’ve got him. It’s over, Hale.”
“I never even suspected Christian,” she says, sounding almost dazed.
I had Christian on my list of possible suspects, but he certainly wasn’t at the top. Mark and Ryan were at the top of my list, and I hadn’t eliminated Andrea.
There’s a commotion in the dining room as the uniformed officers handcuff Christian and read him Miranda rights. Christian is cussing out the police officers and yelling for Haley.
Jake steps into the kitchen, his phone to his ear. “Is she all right?” he asks me.
“Yes,” I say as I tuck her in close to me. “She’s not hurt, just shaken up a bit.”
“She’s fine,” Jake says into his phone. “Yeah, I’ll tell her.” As he ends the call, Jake says, “Haley, that was Shane. I informed him of the outcome, and he wanted to be sure you’re okay.”
As Jake leaves the kitchen, Mack comes in, his gaze going right to his daughter. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”
“Hi, Dad. Yes, I’m fine.”
Mack hugs his daughter so tightly, she says, “Dad! I can’t breathe.”
He loosens his grip. “Sorry.” But he doesn’t release her quite yet. I think he’s a bit freaked out, too. I imagine the presence of a gun caught everyone a bit off guard.
“Can we please go home now?” she asks me.
“Sure,” I say. The police have the wire recording, so they know everything Christian said to her. They might need to get a statement, but they essentially already have it. “I’ll clear it with Jake.”
Home.
We haven’t been living in the safehouse for very long, but it already feels like home.
Now that the stalker has been caught, I guess Haley will be moving back into the dorm.
That’s the only downside to this monster nightmare ending—Haley and I won’t be living together, sharing a bed, sharing our lives twenty-four-seven.
“When will you be moving back into the dorm?” Mack asks Haley.
She freezes for a moment, and I can tell she hasn’t thought about this yet. “Oh.” She looks at me, and then back at her dad. “Soon, I guess.”
“I’ll help her move back,” I say to Mack.
Mack nods as he pats my shoulder. “Good. Thanks.” He hugs his daughter once more. “I’d better get home to Erin. She’s going to want to hear all about what happened tonight.”
Just as Mack leaves, Detective Bauer comes into the kitchen to talk to Haley.
“Christian is on his way to the local jail, where he’ll remain until he’s arraigned, probably tomorrow.
He’s going to be charged with aggravated stalking, because of the handgun he brought into the restaurant.
The fact he had a gun on him elevates the crime—and the associated penalty—to a felony. I’ll keep you posted.”
“What about school?” I ask Bauer. “Will Christian—”
“He’ll undoubtedly be expelled immediately and barred from campus. I think it’s safe to say Haley has seen the last of him at school.”
Jake returns to the kitchen with an update. “The scene is clear.” To me, he says, “You can take Haley home now.”
“Are you ready?” I ask her.
“Yes! Let’s go home.”
* * *
We’re quiet on the drive back to the safehouse, both of us lost in our thoughts.
I’m sure Haley is a bit unraveled by the events of this evening.
Neither one of us expected the stalker to be Christian.
Now we wait to see what the judge makes of it.
Carrying a gun to the meeting was a really bad idea on Christian’s part.
I don’t think Christian actually intended to hurt Haley, or at least I hope he didn’t. I think he brought the gun just to show off. But unfortunately for him, he’s going to pay dearly for that decision.
We pull in through the back gate and into the garage. Charlie and Mateo pull in beside us.
Once we’re all out of our vehicles, Charlie puts her arm around Haley and walks her inside the house.
“How about some dinner?” Charlie asks her. “Since you didn’t actually get to eat anything this evening.”
“I’m not hungry,” Haley says.
Mateo is the last one inside, and he sets the alarm system out of habit. “I guess that is overkill now,” he says with a chuckle.
“You need to eat, sweetie,” Charlie says to Haley. “What sounds good?”
“How about grilled cheese sandwiches?” I say. If anyone deserves some comfort food right now, it’s Haley.
She nods. “I could go for that.”
I put a skillet on the stove to preheat while I gather the ingredients. “Sit down, Hale. You’re pale as a sheet.”
She takes a seat at the kitchen table.
Charlie pours her a Coke. “Maybe caffeine will revive you.”
“I want to thank you all,” Haley says as her eyes tear up. “For everything you’ve done. For protecting me, and for donating your time to live here around the clock. I can’t thank you enough.” She breaks off as her voice cracks.
Charlie steps up to my side. “I’ll take over here. Go comfort your girl.”
“Thanks.” I hold out my hand to Haley. “Why don’t we go upstairs so you can change into something more comfortable?”
Haley glances down at her dress and tights. “That’s a great idea. I would kill for a pair of sweats right now.”
We walk up the back staircase and down the hall to her bedroom. She glances back to see if I’m following. “Aren’t you coming?”
I’d held back a few steps, wondering if she needed some privacy. She’s been through so much tonight. I’d understand if she wanted some time alone to process. “If you want me to.”
“Of course, I do.”
I follow her into the bedroom and close the door behind me. “How are you doing, really?”
Her false bravado slips. “Not too well, actually.”
I pull her into my arms and rub her back. “I know, sweetheart. Why don’t you get changed? You’ll feel better, and then we’ll talk, all right?”
She nods. “All right.”
Haley opens her closet and pulls out a pair of gray sweat pants and a long-sleeved, light blue Hello Kitty T-shirt, and changes clothes. After changing, she sits on the bed, looking preoccupied. Almost haunted.
I crouch down in front of her and take her hands in mine. “Talk to me, Hale.”
“I feel so awful.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t understand why this happened.
Why is he obsessing over me? Christian said Mark is obsessed with me, but the truth is, it was Christian.
He doesn’t even know me. It’s like some kind of love at first sight, but horror style.
And now, because of his actions, he’s completely derailed his life and his education. ”
“We may never understand why Christian did what he did. Obviously, he’s unbalanced. I just hope the judge puts him away for a long while.”
“Poor Andrea. She’s going to be devastated when she finds out.”
“And then there’s Mark. I’m going to have a talk with him before your next class. I promise you he won’t cause you any trouble after that.”
“What’s going to happen next? What about school and the dorm?”
“I’d like to escort you to school for a few more days, just to make sure you feel comfortable on campus. As for your dorm, I guess I’ll move your stuff back in when you feel ready.”
“I considered asking Shane if he would request a permanent housing exemption for me, but I’ve decided not to.
As much as I’ll miss living with you, I think it’s best if I go back to the dorm.
” She turns teary eyes to me. “I lived with my mom and Dave my whole life. Living in the dorm was my first taste of living on my own, sort of. I mean, there’s structure there, and safety—when I wasn’t being stalked.
And Melissa is a great roommate. I felt some level of independence for the first time in my life, and I liked it.
After two years, I’ll be able to live wherever I want. ”
“I’ve been thinking about our living situation, too,” I say. “I’ve wondered if you might want to move into my apartment. I think your dad would eventually get over the shock.”
She laughs, as I hoped she would. “Ask me that again in two years.”
“You bet I will.”
“In the meantime, we have the weekends.” She grins as she leans against me. “We could have sleepovers at your place.”
“I would love that.”
“Guys!” Charlie yells up the stairs. “Food is ready! Come eat!”
Haley rises and reaches for my hand. “Ready?”
I stand. “There’s just one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Is it too soon for me to tell you I love you? Because if it is—”
Her beautiful dark eyes widen as she shakes her head. “It’s not too soon.” She cups my face and pulls me down for a kiss. “Because I love you, too, Philip.”
“Guys, come on!” Charlie yells once more. “It’s getting cold.”
“Coming, Mom!” I yell back. I wrap my arms around the love of my life. “Let’s go eat comfort food.”
* * *
Haley is quiet throughout dinner. Not even comfort food seems to be picking up her spirits.
When we climb into bed that evening, she’s very subdued.
Too quiet. She presses her face against my chest and wraps her arm around my waist. I hold her in my arms, not sure how to help her.
I know she had a traumatic evening. Finding out the stalker was Christian had to be a shock. She didn’t expect that.
She’s shut down right now, probably trying to process everything that’s happened.
I rub her back gently. “Maybe you could take a couple of days off from school and decompress. We could just stay here, hang out and rest, watch movies and read. What do you say?”
She shakes her head. “That sounds wonderful, but I don’t want to miss my classes. I’ll get behind.”
I doubt that’s true, because I’m pretty sure she’s already working ahead in most of her classes, but I do admire her discipline. She’s so strong. I don’t think she realizes how strong she is. I think she could accomplish anything she put her mind to.
“Are you worried about going to your classes?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because of Andrea, for one thing. I don’t know if she knew what Christian was doing, but either way, she’s going to be upset. Even if she didn’t know, she just lost her best friend. How is she going to feel or react?”
“What else?”
“Mark. Even if he didn’t do it, he’s still a creep. He makes me uncomfortable.”
“Trust me, after I talk to him, he’ll back off.” I squeeze her hand. “So, we’re going to school tomorrow?”
“Yes. At least I’m going. You don’t have to if you don’t want to. I imagine you need to get back to your other projects.”
“Of course, I’m coming with you. And don’t worry about my job. Jake told me this evening I can remain here on protection duty with you as long as you need me.”
“Tomorrow won’t be too bad, but I’m dreading Wednesday. I’ll have to face both Andrea and Mark.” She tightens her grip on me. “Thank you for everything you’ve done.” She presses a kiss to my bare chest. “I don’t know how I lucked out to have you in my life, but I’m grateful.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Haley. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”
When she yawns, I smile. I think talking has helped her wind down. I continue to rub her back and stroke her hair as her body slowly relaxes against mine, and she eventually falls asleep.
“Goodnight, sweetheart,” I murmur, pressing my lips against her forehead. I breathe in deeply, taking in the scent of her skin. It’s better than any perfume in the world.