Chapter 32 – Haley
As we arrive on campus Tuesday morning, I feel apprehensive.
I know Christian is sitting in jail right now waiting to be arraigned, which will probably happen today.
He’s not going to show up on campus today at least, so I don’t have to worry about running into him.
It looks like Troy Spencer is officially representing me.
Mom called before we left the safehouse to let me know.
Tuesday feels very anticlimactic after everything that’s happened.
My political science and British literature courses are safe spaces.
Even though I don’t feel like I have to be on guard or watch my back, it’s reassuring that Philip is sitting in the back of the room.
I’m glad he’s with me today, but I realize he can’t keep doing this forever.
He needs to get back to his regular job, and that doesn’t include babysitting me.
I hope he can stick around at least a couple more days.
After my classes are over for the day, we stop by the dorm room. Since I’ve been gone a while, I knock on the door. Melissa’s not expecting me, so I don’t want to take her by surprise. I’m a bit nervous to see her again after the condom incident last week. I think she was as traumatized as I was.
Melissa opens the door, and the expression on her face when she realizes it’s me is exactly what I need.
“Haley! Oh, my God, how are you?” She throws her arms around me and squeezes me tightly. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’m good. How are you?”
Melissa releases me and stands aside so we can enter. “Hi, Philip.” Then she turns her attention back to me. “I’m fine. I was wondering when I’d see you again.” She winces, as if she’s afraid to even ask. “Is it over? Please say yes.”
I nod. “We caught him last night. He’s currently sitting in the county jail right now.”
“Who was it? Anyone I know?”
“I don’t think so. He’s in my chemistry lecture and lab classes. He came out of left field. I had hardly any interaction with him, and he seemed like the nicest guy, very quiet, friendly even.”
“It’s always the nice ones, isn’t it? They hide in plain sight. Does this mean you’re coming back to the dorm?”
“That’s why I stopped by. To let you know I’ll be moving back in this week, probably Thursday afternoon.”
“Do you need any help?”
I nod to Philip. “This guy is helping me, plus our friends, so I think we’ve got it covered.”
“No problem,” she says. “I’m so glad you’re coming back. I thought I might like having the room all to myself, but to be honest, it feels pretty empty without you here. Welcome back!”
* * *
While Tuesday went well, Wednesday is a completely different story.
My first class, chemistry lecture, goes fine. I don’t even spot Andrea or Mark in the crowded lecture hall.
History is great simply because I get to see Layla and Jasmine. After class, we go to the cafeteria for lunch and grab a large table so we can all sit together, the guys included.
After I tell them all about the sting operation and the cops arresting Christian, our conversation moves on to something far more exciting—the wedding.
Layla is having her final dress fitting this week, and the bridesmaid dresses should be ready for pickup by the weekend.
“The guys are scheduled to visit the tux rental shop Friday evening to get fitted,” Layla says. “I can’t wait to see that.” She reaches over to touch Jason’s face. They lean toward each other and kiss.
Philip in a tux? That’s going to be epic. “I want to come, too.”
“Same,” Jasmine says. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Liam looks amazing in a tux.”
After we finish lunch and say goodbye to our friends, Philip and I go for a walk around campus. I’m hoping a walk will do me good because right now my nerves are a jumbled mess. I feel queasy at the thought of facing Andrea again. And then, there’s Mark to consider.
When I tell Philip about my concerns, he squeezes my hand and says, “I’m going to have a one-on-one talk with Mark before your lab class, and Andrea’s not going to hold Christian’s actions against you. If anything, she’s dreading seeing you.”
“I don’t blame her for what Christian did.”
“No, but she probably feels guilty by association. I’m sure she feels terrible because of what he did to you, and she’s probably blaming herself for not realizing he was behind it all.”
We walk through the quad and down to Lafayette Street, passing restaurants and the grocery store, and of course the used bookstore. We don’t have time to make any stops, though. And that bookstore is calling my name.
We arrive back at the sciences building where my lab class is held. Philip ushers me inside. As we approach the classroom, my heart stops when I see Mark waiting outside the room. He looks… depressed?
I freeze in my tracks.
When Mark catches sight of me, he steps forward, glancing nervously at Philip, and then at me. “Can I talk to you, Haley?”
“Okay,” I say, feeling more than a little reluctant to hear anything Mark has to say.
“Privately, if you don’t mind,” Mark says as he eyes Philip warily.
“No,” Philip says. “Whatever you have to say to Haley, you will say in front of me.”
Mark starts chewing on his bottom lip. “Andrea told me about Christian,” he says.
When I don’t say a word, he sighs heavily and continues.
“Haley, I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted.
In light of what you’ve been going through—and by the way, I had no idea about any of it—you didn’t need my shit on top of all that.
Anyway, I am sorry.” He chuckles nervously.
“Andrea sort of read me the riot act in class this morning.”
I swallow hard, knowing I need to make some kind of response. “Thank you.” I never dreamed he’d apologize.
Philip lays his hand on my back. “Haley, why don’t you go into the classroom? I’d like to have a word with Mark.”
“No problem,” I say. I can’t get away from Mark fast enough. He may have apologized, but he still makes me uncomfortable.
Just before I step into the classroom, I glance back. Philip has his hands on his hips as he talks to Mark, who looks more than a little intimidated.
I turn away and walk into the classroom to the table I share with Andrea. She’s already in her seat, facing forward, her hands clasped tightly on the table.
After I take my seat, I break the ice with a simple “Hi.”
Andrea turns to me with reddened eyes filling with fresh tears. “I swear to you, Haley,” she says, her voice cracking, “I didn’t know.”
“I believe you.” I reach out to hug her, and she practically falls apart in my arms.
A few minutes later, Mark walks into the room and takes his seat. I risk looking back at him, and I’m shocked at his appearance. I don’t know what Philip said to him, but whatever it is, Philip made his point.
* * *
“What did you say to Mark?” I ask Philip when lab class is over and we’re walking to the truck. “He came into the room looking as white as a sheet.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about him anymore. I’m pretty confident he’ll behave himself from here on out.”
“Did you threaten him?”
Philip smiles. “Let’s just say I made him a promise.”
“In other words, you threatened him.”
He chuckles. “To within an inch of his life.”
With each step I take, I feel lighter. A weight has been lifted from me, and I finally feel like I can live my life again without constantly watching over my shoulder and fearing the worst. I can be a student and a girlfriend and a daughter without the fear of the unknown hanging over my head.
“How about some ice cream to celebrate?” Philip asks when we reach the main road. He nods toward Lafayette Street. “And afterward, we can visit the bookstore if you want.”
“Are you kidding? You had me at ice cream, but the bookstore, too? Somebody’s definitely getting lucky tonight.”
The smile on his face says everything.
* * *
That evening, we eat dinner with Charlie and Mateo, who are staying at the safehouse with us until I officially move back to the dorm tomorrow.
After dinner, we watch a movie in the parlor, the four of us crammed on the sofa. I notice Mateo has his arm across Charlie’s shoulder, and he’s stroking the back of her neck. It’s like we’re on a double date.
When the movie ends, Mateo stands and stretches with a groan. He holds his hand out to Charlie, and when she takes it, he hauls her to her feet. “We’re turning in,” he says. “You kids have a good night. We’ll double-check de security system on our way out.”
It’s late, and I’m tired after all the stress and drama today. It’s only Wednesday, and it’s already been a stressful week. “I think I’ll get ready for bed, too.”
Philip turns off the TV and stands. He catches my hand and turns me to face him. “Are you doing okay?”
“I think so. It’s been a crazy week, and I can’t seem to shake my anxiety. I feel like I might have PTSD for a while.”
He links our fingers and brings my hand up to kiss. “It’s going to take a while.” He heads for the doorway and tugs me along behind him and up the stairs.
I grab the bathroom first and step into the shower, because lots of hot water cascading over my body sounds really good right now.
I stand beneath the spray and let the water flow over me.
My throat tightens, and I feel on the verge of tears, but I’m done crying.
Christian is in custody, and he’s not going to bother me anymore.
I keep picturing the gun he had tucked inside his jacket. What in the world was he thinking? His sentence is going to be far worse because he was armed.
Despite the hot water heating my skin, I feel a chill crawl down my spine. Was the gun just for show, or would he have used it to threaten me? I shudder at the thought.
When I’m done showering, I brush my teeth and dry my hair.
This is probably the last night I’ll be sharing a bed with Philip, at least here.
Tomorrow night, I’ll be back in the dorm room.
I’m glad things will be getting back to normal, but I’m sad I won’t be living with Philip.
I hope I can stay at his apartment on the weekends.
I don’t know how my dad will feel about it, but I think we’re past that now.
I’m an adult, and what I do with Philip is my business—no one else’s.
I wrap my damp towel around me and open the door to find Philip sitting on the floor outside the bathroom leaning against the opposite wall.
“Your turn,” I say.
He stands, and as I move to pass by him, he catches me and gazes down at me. “You’ve been through a lot, Hale. It’s okay to feel out of sorts.”
“Is it that obvious?”
He smiles. “I know you well enough to read your moods, so yeah.” He leans down to kiss me. “Do you want to sleep with me tonight?”
Now I have a reason to smile. “Yes.”
“Good. It’ll be our last night here.”
“Are you free this weekend?” I ask, grinning because he’s smiling, too.
“I’ll always be free for you.”