Chapter 5
Five
Tabitha
I can smell the stale scent of alcohol on his breath.
I don’t answer him, just keep my gaze locked onto his, trying to hide the fear that I know must be radiating off me in waves.
I glance down at the phone still clutched in my hand. I could call 9-1-1. But what if the operator doesn’t pick up quickly? What if they can’t get here in time? What then?
“Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to walk alone at night?” he asks with a smirk, his words slurred. He reaches toward me.
I flinch back, my heart pounding. “Get away from me,” I say, but it comes out a whisper.
He cocks his head, grinning. “Maybe I should teach you a lesson.”
Before I can press the call button, he lunges forward and snatches the phone from my hand. My only means of calling for help is now in the hands of the one person I need to be saved from.
“Nice try,” he says, pocketing my phone.
Fear claws at my insides, but I manage to maintain my composure. I refuse to let him see my fear. I swallow and find my voice. “Fuck off.”
I take a step back, but quick as a whip, he reaches out and grazes my arm. I shudder and pull away from his touch like I’ve been stung. My heart is thundering, my mind racing.
Now what?
Now what?
Now what?
He’s bigger. Stronger. And he has my phone.
I have no other choice but to—
A tall silhouette moves toward us.
Thank God. A wave of relief washes over me.
“Hey!” I shout, my voice echoing through the deserted street.
The man in front of me turns.
I use the opportunity to try to pull away from his grasp.
But it’s too late.
He tightens his grip around my arm, pulling me back against him. “Shut up,” he hisses, his breath hot against my ear.
But the silhouette comes toward us. “Let her go,” the second man says.
“This doesn’t concern you,” my attacker spits out.
But the stranger does not back down. He steps closer, his eyes hard and unflinching. “I said, let her go.”
“Help! Please!” I scream, straining to break free.
The stranger is closer now, close enough that I can make out his features. He’s young, probably not much older than I am. His jaw is rigid, and the intensity in his gaze gives me hope.
“Get off her,” he commands, his voice steady.
The man holding me stiffens. “I said this doesn’t concern you.”
“And I said let her go.”
The assailant looks between the two of us, as if he’s calculating his next move. His grip loosens for a second, just enough for me to wriggle free. I stagger away from him, toward the stranger.
The attacker lunges forward to recapture me, but the stranger is faster. He catches the man by his collar and hauls him off his feet.
“Stay away from her,” the stranger warns as he throws the attacker to the ground.
The man grunts as he lands, but he doesn’t get up. He just lies there, whimpering.
“He’s got my phone!” I shout.
“The phone, asshole,” my rescuer says. “Where is it?”
“Pocket,” the assailant grits out.
The stranger finds the phone and punches the other guy in the face.
He rises and turns toward me, his eyes softening as he reaches out a hand with my phone, “Are you okay?”
I nod and take the phone, too overwhelmed to speak.
He offers a reassuring smile before fishing out his own phone.
“Thank you,” I manage to eke out.
“No problem.” He scans the area. “What are you doing out here alone?”
“I…”
What am I supposed to say to that? That I just kept walking, trying to deal with the fact that I’ve fallen in love and can’t stop ruminating over it when I should be thinking about the amazing educational opportunity I have starting tomorrow?
“It’s okay,” he says. “You’re obviously shaken up. Let me take you to the ER.”
“No. No. I’m fine. Really.”
“The police station, then. You can file a report.”
“I…”
“Come on.” He holds out his hand. “I’m Lance Rodriguez. My brother Skylar is a cop. He’ll know what to do.”
I don’t reply. Just nod shakily.
A stranger just attacked me, and here I am letting another stranger lead me away.
What the hell is wrong with me?
But as Lance helps me down the street, I can’t help but notice how different he is from the man who tried to harm me. His touch is gentle, his voice warm and reassuring. He calms my jittering nerves…but just a bit.
We walk in silence, the occasional sounds of Boulder nightlife slowly returning as we move away from the desolate street. I wrap my arms around myself. This was supposed to be a simple walk. A chance to escape my own thoughts, not become the target of some drunk.
Lance, true to his word, takes me straight to the police station. The bright fluorescent lights seem harsh after the darkness of the streets.
A female officer behind the front desk looks up as we approach. “What can I do for you tonight?” she asks.
Lance steps forward. “I’m Lance Rodriguez,” he says, “Skylar’s brother. We need to file a report. This young lady was attacked near Elm Street.”
The officer looks at me. A flicker of sympathy passes over her features. “I’m very sorry to hear that,” she says. “What’s your name, honey?”
“Tabitha.” I clear my throat. “Tabitha Haynes.”
“Can you describe the man who attacked you?”
I give her a shaky nod, trying to remember the details of my attacker.
I don’t recall much, though. All I could think of was getting away.
“I’m afraid I don’t remember much,” I say softly.
“It’s all right,” the officer says. “Just try to recall anything you can. His height, build, hair color, the sound of his voice…”
I close my eyes, my heart pounding again as I try to piece together the fragments. “He was tall, definitely taller than I am, with a broad build. He was white. His hair… It was dark, I think, though I can’t be certain. His voice was low, rough. He smelled of alcohol.”
The officer nods as she types on her computer. “You did good. We’re going to do everything we can to find him.”
I nod, swallowing back the lump in my throat. The reality of what happened is beginning to truly sink in, and with it, the fear.
Fear of what could have happened.
Fear of what might still happen.
Fear for my safety in a city that no longer feels safe.
The officer pushes a glass of water toward me. “Are you hurt anywhere? Do you need medical attention?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine,” I reply, my voice trembling. I take a sip from the glass, the cool liquid soothing my dry throat.
“Okay, then,” the officer says, standing. “I’ll get this report filed. Do you have someone who can come and pick you up?”
I hesitate. My parents are too far away in Westminster, and my friends…
Well, Angie is on her honeymoon, Eli is back home for the summer in Mississippi, and I’m not really close with anyone else here in Boulder.
Lance, who’s been quietly standing beside me, speaks up. “I can take her home, Officer. I found her in the first place. I may as well make sure she’s safe.”
“Is that all right with you, Ms. Haynes?”
What am I supposed to say? I don’t know this man from Adam, but he did just save me from what could have been horrible.
I nod.
“All right, Mr. Rodriguez. That would be helpful. Thank you.” The officer gives a sympathetic smile. “Stay safe, honey, and don’t hesitate to call us if you need anything else.”
I thank her softly.
Lance and I exit the station, and I wrap my arms around myself, feeling more vulnerable than I ever have before.
“My car is a few blocks away,” he says. “That okay?”
I nod.
Not like I have any other choice.
We walk in silence until we reach his car. Lance opens the passenger door for me, and I sink into the seat with a sigh of relief. As he starts the car, I lean back, close my eyes, and try to shut out the world.
“Tabitha?”
My eyes shoot open. “What?”
“I’m going to need your address.”
“Right. Of course.” I rattle it off and then close my eyes once more.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, we reach my apartment building. Lance kills the engine and turns to me.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asks.
I nod, forcing a smile onto my face. “Yes, thank you, Lance. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been there.”
He shakes his head. “I’m just glad I was there to help,” he says. “Will you be okay alone tonight?”
His question brings back the fear, the vulnerability. I hesitate for a moment but then give him a shaky nod. “I’ll be fine. I just need some rest.”
He seems to understand and reaches out to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me, okay?” He hands me a card with his number. “My brother is a cop, like I said, and he can help if there’s any trouble.”
“Thank you.” I tuck the card into my pocket. His kindness is a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves.
“Tabitha…”
“Yes?”
He blushes under the moonlight. “I’d like to see you again. Maybe for coffee or something?”
I take a good look at Lance. He’s handsome, for sure. He reminds me of Stephen, my date at Angie and Jason’s wedding, though he’s more rugged than pretty boy. But he has the same coloring. Tanned skin, dark eyes. Any other time I’d probably say yes, but I’m stuck on another man.
Though that man let me go.
So what the hell?
“I’m starting an intense surgical seminar tomorrow that’s going to take up most of my time,” I say, “but maybe next weekend?”
He smiles. “The weekend would be great. I’m a software engineer, and I’m working on a pretty intense project myself this week. How about Saturday around ten? At the Starbucks by the med school campus?”
I nod weakly. “Sure.”
“Can I get your number?”
I inhale. “It’s been a pretty scary night for me, Lance. Just meet me on Saturday. I won’t stand you up. I promise.”
He nods. “Good enough. I understand. I’ll walk you up.”
“That’s not necessary.”
He frowns. “You sure?”
“Yeah. The building is safe, and as you can see, it’s well lit.”
“Okay, but I’m letting you go under duress.”
I force a weak smile and walk to the door of the building. To his credit, Lance doesn’t drive away until I’m safely inside.
By the time I unlock my apartment door and step inside, my knees are weak, my stomach a riot of nerves. The apartment is dark and silent, matching my mood perfectly. I walk into the bedroom, my thoughts a jumbled mess.
The magnitude of tonight’s events hits me again. The fear, the relief, the sadness all comes rushing back and threatens to pull me under.
I sink onto my bed, the tears finally trickling down my cheeks. I cry silently at first but then let go. Sobs shake my body as I let myself feel the terror and grief that I’ve been trying to hold at bay.
After a while, the tears cease, leaving behind a hollow emptiness. I lie there, staring at the ceiling.
Even after tonight’s events, he’s still there.
Henry.
In my mind.
But not with me.
His absence stretches out before me like a gaping chasm, one I don’t know how to cross.
I close my eyes, willing sleep to take over. But I still see Henry. His blue eyes, the way his blond hair would fall over his forehead, the strength of his arms as he held me close.
It’s all bittersweet.
A lost love.
Love.
The word seems too big, too profound for what we had. It was just a weekend, a fling in the grand scheme of things.
But it was real and intense and beautiful.
For me, at least.
I sigh.
Replaying the past won’t change anything.
Henry and I are over.
If we even existed in the first place.
Still, though, I don’t sleep. I relive the evening, the man, the fright.
And I know my life is forever changed.