Fallen For Three

Chapter 13

THIRTEEN

I stand outsidethe care home and I can’t help but stare at the towering white building adorned with beautiful floral window boxes. The fresh scent of bluebells in my hand reminds me of my childhood visits to the forest with my mother. Taking a deep breath, I enter the care home and approach the front desk where a friendly nurse in uniform greets me. “Hello, Mr. Greenman,” she says with a warm smile. “Here to see your mother?” With a nod, I sign the visitor’s book, eager to see my mother again after a long time. “How is she doing?” I ask with a hopeful tone. “Has she mentioned me?” The nurse glances up from the book and gives me a closed-lipped smile before replying, “I’m sorry, Mr. Greenman, she hasn’t mentioned you. However, she is doing fine.” I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions as I make my way down the hall to see her.

I approach the door and feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness. I knock twice and wait for a response. “Come in,” a soft voice calls out from inside. I turn the handle and open the door, peering into the room. My mother is sitting on a creaky rocking chair, gazing out the window. I clear my throat and ask, “May I come in?” She turns and smiles at me, “Of course, dear.” I make my way over to her, presenting the bouquet of freshly picked bluebells. “Look what I have,” I say, holding up the flowers for her to see. “Oh, wow. Bluebells. They are my favorite flower,” she exclaims, reaching out to take them from me. I pull up a wooden chair and sit down next to her. I look at her for a moment. Her gray-bobbed hair reflects the sunshine and her smile is as beautiful as ever. She holds the bluebells close to her face, inhaling their sweet fragrance. “What’s your name then, dear?” she asks me, looking up at me with a curious expression. My heart sinks at her question.

I introduce myself to her. “I’m Nate,” I say.

She giggles and responds, “Oh, lovely. You remind me of my father. Do you know where he is?” My eyes tear up. My grandfather has been dead since I was six. I reply, “Well, did you know you’re my mother?” Her voice becomes confused as she responds, “Alright, I guess I’ll be your mother.” It’s heart-wrenching to see her this way. Alzheimer’s has taken away her memory and now she doesn’t even recognize me. It’s a cruel disease that slowly erases all the beautiful memories we’ve shared.

She gazes down at the delicate bluebells, a wistful expression crossing her face, and whispers, “Do you know I love bluebells?” A bittersweet laugh escapes my lips, mingled with tears, as I respond softly, “Yes, I do.”

I turn to her and gesture towards the window, remarking on the stunning view from her room. “Just look at that,” I say, pointing to the tranquil lake beyond. “The way the water shimmers in the sunlight and the two swans gliding gracefully across its surface...it’s truly breathtaking.” She nods in agreement, a peaceful expression crossing her face. “The view is one of the reasons I love staying here,” she says, settling into the rocking chair. “It’s so serene–just being surrounded by nature like this. Can I ask you something, dear? Do you happen to know what time my father is picking me up?” she asks, her tone gentle and curious.

I try to avoid the subject of her father.

“So, what have you been up to today?” I ask instead, hoping to shift the focus to something more positive. “I did some painting and listened to music,” she replies, her voice laced with a hint of enthusiasm.

“That sounds really nice,” I say, genuinely impressed. “And how about the food? Is it still as good as before?”

“Oh, absolutely,” she replies, her face lighting up. “But I must admit, it doesn’t quite compare to my mother’s stew.” She rocks back and forth on her chair, momentarily lost in thought.

“So, my dear, how long have you been working here?” she asks, her voice gentle and warm. I smile and reply, “I don’t actually work here. I’ve come to see you.”

Her expression softens a bit as she nods in understanding. “Oh, that’s nice,” she says, her tone now relaxed.

“I have met someone,” I begin to say, my voice filling with excitement. “She is very important to me.” She leans forward slightly. “That’s lovely,” she says, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “It’s good to have someone you care about.” She then starts rocking back and forth.

“Her name is Tessie. She is so beautiful,” I say.

“Who is Tessie? Does she work here too, dear?”

I simply respond with a gentle smile.

I hear a knock on the door. I turn around in my chair and see a nurse enter with a smile. “It’s lunchtime, Miss Greenman,” she says, warmly and friendly. I put my hand on top of my mother’s. I try to hold back my tears as I know it’s time for me to leave her side for a while. “I will see you soon,” I say to her, my voice shaking slightly. “Why are you crying?” she asks, looking at my eyes with concern. “It’s a long story,” I reply, trying to hide the pain in my voice. “I understand,” she says, giving me a comforting pat on the shoulder. “Well, it was lovely to meet you, young man.”

I rush out of the room so she doesn’t see me in pain. Every time my mother doesn’t know who I am, a piece of me dies inside.

As I step out of the care home, tears stream down my face uncontrollably. My heart aches every time I see my mother in that condition. I quickly get into my truck, trying to escape the overwhelming emotions that engulfed me. I reach for a cigarette from the pack lying on the passenger seat and light it up, hoping the nicotine will provide some relief from the pain that’s tearing me apart inside.

Approaching the grave with a heavy heart, I notice that the flowers in the vase have withered away. I carefully remove them and replace them with fresh, vibrant flowers. I kneel down and start pulling out the weeds that have grown around the grave, ensuring that every last one is gone. As I finish my task, I look at the headstone and softly say, “Hello, Hope.” It’s a small gesture, but it makes me feel like I’m still connected to my sister.

Leaning against the side of the grave, I take a deep breath and pause for a moment before speaking. “I hope you’re doing well,” I say softly, directing my words toward the peaceful resting place. “It’s been some time since I last visited, but you’ve been on my mind.” The cool breeze whispers through the trees and rustles the leaves, creating a serene atmosphere around me.

“I feel silly admitting it, but I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing your smiling face again. Sometimes I wonder, do you remain the same age as when you left this world or do you get to grow up and experience new things in heaven?”

Suddenly, a burst of movement catches my eye. A beautiful robin flies down from a tree and leaps onto the gravestone. Its feathers are vibrant and its movements are graceful as it pauses to look at me with curious eyes. For a moment, I am captivated by the sight, feeling a sense of awe and wonder. Then, a thought occurs to me. “Is that a sign, Hope?” I ask, glancing up at the sky and grinning.

The tiny robin perches atop it and it seems to be looking at me with curious eyes, as if it could sense my grief. I can’t help but whisper, “You were taken too soon, Hope. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”

The robin chirps melodiously and then takes flight, its wings flapping gracefully. I can’t help but scoff and shake my head in amusement. “I’ll take that as a goodbye, then,” I mutter, chuckling softly as I watch the bird disappear into the sky.

I whisper softly, “Hope, you’ll always be in my heart. I just wish I had protected you. I know you watch down on me each day. You must judge me for what I do to people. However, I will protect Tessie. I’ll do it right this time.” The words escape my lips, heavy with regret and sorrow.

If only I could turn back time and undo what had been done. But I can’t. All I have now is the memory of Hope, etched forever in my heart.

I can’t help but feel a surge of emotion. Memories of the past come flooding back and I reach into my wallet. My fingers brush against a small lock of Hope’s beautiful, red hair that I’ve carefully preserved. It’s a cherished keepsake that I carry with me everywhere I go.

I close my eyes and whisper, “I love you, Hope,” pressing my lips to my fingers and then gently placing them on the cold, hard surface of the gravestone. The sun casts a warm, orange glow over the cemetery, adding to the somber yet peaceful atmosphere.

Cain and I sit at the table, engaging in a thrilling blackjack game. As we finish the game, Cain flashes a smirk in my direction while he meticulously sorts the cards into a neat deck. “You play well, princess,” he remarks. I shrug my shoulders and reply, “Well, my dad was quite the gambler, so I picked up a few tricks.”

Mike and Nate make their way into the house. They both approach me and plant a gentle kiss on my cheek. They seem a little hesitant, perhaps even sad. Concerned, I ask them if everything is alright. Nate responds with a reassuring, “I’m fine, baby.” Meanwhile, Mike nods and flashes me a warm smile before inquiring about what I’m currently playing.

Cain is shuffling the deck, the sound of cards being rifled through fills the room. “We’re playing blackjack,” he announces, glancing up at Nate and Mike. “Wanna join? I will warn you, though, she’s good.”

The radio plays in the background, adding to the relaxed and casual atmosphere of the game.

Cain proposes that since there are more players now, we could play a game of poker. I respond by crossing my arms and confidently stating that I am also skilled at playing poker.

The radio’s upbeat music abruptly cuts off, replaced by the somber voice of the news anchor. “Breaking news just in: the body found in the car earlier this week has been identified as Celeste Dowers,” the anchor reports. “Police confirm that Dowers had left a charity event in an inebriated state and subsequently crashed her car into a tree.”

Startled, Nate springs up from his chair and rushes over to the radio, fumbling with the buttons in an effort to turn it off. Meanwhile, Cain and Mike stare at me with wide, shocked eyes. At first, I’m unsure of what’s happening, but the news sinks in.

“I’m confused,” I say, “I thought that the police arrested her.”

Nate struggles to articulate his words, his speech peppered with stutters. As I rise from my seat, it topples backward and crashes to the floor. “She was never taken into custody, was she?” I interrogate Cain, my voice laced with accusation. However, he avoids my gaze, refusing to meet my eyes. “You did something, didn’t you?” I erupt, directing my wrath toward the trio.

“You lied to me,” I say, barely above a whisper.

Mike abruptly stands up from his chair and grips my upper arms, but I quickly shrug him off. He looks at me with a serious expression and speaks, “Tessie, she tried to kill you. We couldn’t just let her get away with it.” Concerned, I ask him what happened, hoping for some clarity on the situation.

“When Cain gave us a call, we quickly got into Nate’s truck–” Mike explains. However, before he can finish, Nate interrupts him with a plea. “Baby, you have to believe us. It wasn’t intentional,” he says, tremblingly. Frustration and fear build inside me and I can’t hold it any longer. “Tell me everything, right now!” I shout at them, my voice echoing in the empty room.

Cain remains still and quiet, not uttering a single word. Mike breaks the silence and starts narrating the events that led to a terrible accident. According to him, Celeste was driving and they tried to flag her down. They intended to intimidate and frighten her, so they started tailgating her. Unfortunately, she lost control of her car, drove off the road, and crashed into a tree.

Cain abruptly stands up from his seat, his face contorted with anger. “She deserved it,” he exclaims vehemently. “She wanted to kill you, Tessie.” I feel emotion rising inside me as I respond, “You left her to die. She was a woman in love. She didn’t deserve to die.” Tears start to well up in my eyes as I struggle to contain my confusion.

Cain’s statement catches me off guard and leaves me feeling shocked. “She was lucky she killed herself; otherwise, I would have done it for her,” he says with a menacing tone. I can’t believe what I am hearing. I quickly respond, “You can’t kill everyone that hurts me!” My voice is loud and forceful, fueled by anger.

“You should feel honored that we kill anyone who harms you. Instead, you’re acting like a brat and showing no appreciation!” he shouts aggressively, his face red with anger as he confronts me.

A sudden realization hits me. I haven’t heard from my brother since we had a falling out. Panic sets in, rushing to the kitchen counter to grab my phone. My fingers fumble with the screen as I frantically try to dial his number, hoping he will answer. As I’m about to press the call button, “What are you doing?” Nate asks.

“I’m calling my brother to see if he’s still alive,” I explain, my voice shaking with worry.

Cain shouts, “You really think we would do that?”

“YES! You’re fucking crazy!” I shout back, feeling anger and fear washing over me. The tension in the room is palpable as we all stand there, caught up in the moment.

My heart is pounding with anticipation and nervousness. Finally, the ringing tone starts and I put the phone up to my ear, waiting anxiously for him to pick it up. When he finally does, his voice is gruff and impatient as he simply says, “What?” I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts, and mutter, “Nothing. Misdialed.”

He hangs up without another word.

Cain asks sternly, “Do you seriously think we would hurt your brother?”

In a panic-stricken voice, I respond with a resounding “Yes! Yes, I do! You’re a psycho!”

“Keep calling me names. I fucking dare you,” he threatens.

The room fills with tension. Nate’s voice echoes off the walls in frustration. “Stop it now, you two!” he shouts, his anger palpable.

My heart races as I feel the weight of his words. The situation’s intensity is almost too much to bear. I can see the looks of confusion and frustration on the faces of the trio, I know that I need to speak up before it’s too late. “No!” I find myself saying, my voice trembling with emotion. “What the hell am I doing? You three are psychos. You are controlling. I’m just a sex slave to you!” The words spill out of me, pouring forth like a torrent of emotion I can’t control. The air around me feels heavy and oppressive, as if the weight of my words has taken on a physical form. For a moment, there is only silence. I can feel the eyes of the others on me, their judgment almost too much to bear.

Cain suddenly snaps. “Psychos? Psychos?” he shouts, his face red with anger. “We are doing everything to keep you safe!” I feel intimidated and begin to back away slowly.

As I head towards the bathroom, I try to shut the door behind me, but Cain blocks my way by placing his foot there. My heart races as I realize that I am trapped. In a moment of desperation, I plead with him, “Leave me alone!” But I know deep down that it won’t be that easy.

Mike and Nate trail behind Cain, their expressions tense with concern. As Cain approaches me, his eyes narrow with malice. I instinctively back away until I feel the cool porcelain of the bathroom sink against my back. His forehead presses against mine and I can feel his hot breath on my face as he hisses menacingly. “Everything we’ve done for you–” he growls.

I interrupt him before he can say more, my frustration and fear boiling. “I never told you to kill anyone!” I shout, my voice echoing through the small bathroom.

Mike attempts to intervene and pull Cain away from me, but Cain brushes him off effortlessly. My body quivers with fear as I stand there, staring Cain in the eyes. “I can care for myself, I’m not afraid of you. So stop trying to intimidate me!” I manage to say, my voice shaking uncontrollably.

However, deep down, I know I am utterly terrified of him. His face contorts into a sinister expression. “You should be afraid of me,” he hisses, “because you belong to me.” He reaches out to grab me. Summoning all my strength, I push Cain away, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anger. His sudden lunge catches me off guard, his hands grasping my shoulders forcefully. In a moment of instinctual reaction, I draw back my hand and deliver a sharp slap across his face, the sound of the impact echoing in the room like a crack of thunder.

“Oh, shit,” Mike swears behind Cain.

Cain’s expression is unchanging as his nostrils flare and he snarls at me. I can see angry tears welling up in his eyes as he suddenly lifts me and tosses me over his shoulder. My entire body tenses up as I try to resist his grasp, but it’s futile. I punch at his back and scream at the top of my lungs, “PUT ME DOWN!”

In the background, Nate’s alarmed voice exclaims, “Cain, stop! What are you doing?”

Cain roughly places me in the back seat of his Jeep, his grip on my arm causing me to kick out in alarm. With a sneer, he jumps into the driver’s seat and starts the engine, his eyes glittering with malice. As we speed down the road, I demand to know where he’s taking me, my heart pounding. “You think you can take care of yourself?” he hisses, turning to fix me with a cold, calculating gaze. “We’ll see about that.”

With a burst of anger, I kick the back of the driver’s chair with all my might. “Let me out of here! I hate you!” I scream.

Without hesitation, he turns around and yells back, “What a fucking pity!” in a tone that conveys sarcasm.

We drive into the dense forest and my heart races with fear. Suddenly, he pulls the car to a stop in the middle of nowhere and my anxiety increases tenfold. Without warning, he flings open the car door and roughly grabs my arm, dragging me out of the vehicle. I struggle against his grasp, hitting at his hand with all my might as I hiss at him to let me go, but his grip only tightens. I feel a cold sense of dread wash over me as I realize how truly isolated we are.

I shout, my heart racing. “What? Are you going to kill me?!”

He looks at me with cold eyes and replies, “No. However, we both know other people want to. You want to survive? Try and do it out here. Let’s hope a stalker doesn’t find you.” His voice is low and menacing, sending shivers down my spine.

Cain jumps back into the Jeep. “You better start walking fast. The sun is going down,” he hisses, the engine roaring to life.

“You bastard. It’s a two-hour walk back to the house!” I exclaim, my voice echoing in the vast emptiness around me, leaving me alone in nowhere. I watch in disbelief as he drives off into the distance, leaving me stranded in the middle of nowhere.

I walkfor what feels like forever. The cool air gives me goosebumps on my skin. I wrap my arms around myself for warmth. I am clad in a simple, white t-shirt, a pair of jeans, and sturdy boots. My pockets are empty. As I trudge deeper into the woods, I can’t help but curse Cain.

“I hate him. I hate him. I fucking hate him,” I repeat over and over.

I notice the clouds slowly but surely moving toward me. I mutter under my breath, “It better not rain.” I quickly search for a trail and follow it, one step at a time, eager to keep moving forward.

Cain’s words linger in my mind, haunting me with reality. Every shadow and unexplained noise leaves me on edge, wondering if I was being watched and if my every move was being monitored.

After the Dan incident, I still didn’t know who we were.

Suddenly, a twig snapping echoes through the trees in the distance. My heart races as I call out, “Hello!” but all I hear in return is the eerie silence of the forest.

The trees loom over me and every rustle of leaves sounds like footsteps behind me. Suddenly, I hear another twig snap and I freeze in terror. I turn around and shout out, “Who’s there?!” but there’s no response. My mind is playing tricks on me and I can’t shake off the feeling of being watched. The paranoia is taking over and I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever make it out of the forest alive.

The first raindrops hit the ground. My eyes scan the horizon and that’s when I notice something move between the trees. My heart races as I try to make out what it could be. Suddenly, a figure emerges from a tree wearing a balaclava and all black. Without hesitation, I turn and sprint as fast as I can.

The sound of hurried footsteps echoes through the narrow path and I can feel them getting closer with each passing moment. I push myself harder, my muscles burning, but the footsteps behind me persist. The sound is so close I can almost feel the breath of my pursuer on the back of my neck. My chest heaves with each labored breath and my throat feels raw.

I stumble over a log and fall face-first on the ground. I try to get up, but I feel someone trying to grab my legs. I panic as I kick at them with all my might and scream for help. Somehow, I manage to break free and pull myself up. Tears stream down my face as I start running as fast as possible.

I was going to be killed or raped. I wasn’t going down without a fight.

Sprinting through the dense forest, I hear an unsettling sound of grunting coming from behind me. I quickly shift my gaze to the right and frantically dodge between the trees. Despite my fear, I manage to steal a glance behind me and realize that the figure is no longer in sight. I take a moment to catch my breath and hide behind a nearby tree. The rain is now pouring down heavily, creating a cacophony of sound as it hits the trees and the ground. The loud raindrops make it difficult for me to hear footsteps approaching, causing me fear and anticipation. My lungs feel like they are on fire. I sob, placing my head against the tree.

I gasp for air, and my thoughts race to Mike, Nate, and Cain. I can feel the panic rising within me as I realize just how much I need them. The fear of dying grips me tightly and I find myself breaking down into tears, desperately trying to stifle any sound that might give away my position.

I tentatively peer out from behind the tree trunk, my heart racing with fear. Suddenly, I hear the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked; a cold metal object is suddenly pressed against the back of my head. I feel frozen in place, unable to move or even breathe.

The sudden grasp on my upper arm wrenches me out of my thoughts, the world spinning as I’m forcibly turned around to face the person after me. A sharp gasp escapes my lips as I feel the icy touch of a gun pressing against my forehead, the metal chilling me to the bone.

Fear grips me like a vice. Despite my best efforts, I struggle to glimpse the person’s eyes behind the mask.

My vision is a blur of tears and raindrops. The thin fabric of my t-shirt offers little protection against the downpour, clinging to my skin like a second layer, revealing the contours of my body. As the rain saturates my clothes, my t-shirt molds to my curves, the fabric becoming translucent against my skin. Panic surges through me as I realize I’m not wearing a bra, my breasts fully exposed beneath the wet fabric, vulnerable and exposed to the elements.

The person seems to have caught sight of my breast showing, and with a swift movement, they lower the gun from my head to my nipples, rubbing them against the gun. I can feel my heart racing as I plead with them, “Please, don’t do this.”

He firmly presses the gun against my chest. With a sudden force, he pushes me down to my knees. I tremble with fear, unsure of what his next move will be.

“If you want my body. Please kill me first…” I beg, sobbing uncontrollably.

I didn’t want to live through being raped again. I would rather be dead.

The person’s breathing becomes rapid, moving the gun from my chest to my forehead again.

“Please,” I sob.

Droplets of rain are beating down on the leaves, creating a drumming sound.

I prepare my body for what is going to happen.

The thought of dying doesn’t terrify me. Instead, I feel a sense of calm wash over me. I know Nate, Cain, and Mike would never let the perpetrator get away with killing me. I feel bad that Cain would never be able to forgive himself.

Suddenly, the person lowers their head close to mine. They press the gun harder on my head and whisper the word bang in my ear. I feel my whole body jolt with surprise and confusion. However, as the person’s voice registers in my mind, I realize who they are. I feel my anger rising. I stand up on my feet, no longer feeling scared.

I forcefully remove the mask and come face to face with Cain. He revels in his wickedness and lets out a menacing laugh.

“You bastard!” I wail.

I punch at his chest. He doesn’t react.

He hisses through gritted teeth, “That’s how easy it would be to kill you. You fucking need me.” The rain pours down relentlessly. Drenched and shivering, I cry, “Why would you do that? I’m done. I can’t do this anymore. Take me home,” I plead.

As the cardrives down the road, the only sounds that can be heard are my occasional sobs. The distressing events that had just occurred were too much for me to bear. We finally arrive at the house. I quickly jump out of the Jeep and run inside, still crying.

Nate quickly jogs up to me and grabs my shoulders to try to comfort me, but I push him away. Mike can sense that something is wrong. “What happened?” he asks, nervously biting his nails. I couldn’t bear to answer Mike’s question, so I blurted out, “Ask Cain!” and then went to the kitchen to grab my phone. I quickly text Rae and ask if I can stay with her. She responds promptly with a reassuring “Yes.” I then rush to my bedroom to pack my things, still crying uncontrollably.

Nate follows me and stands at the door, watching me intently. “What are you doing?” he asks, with concern on his face.

“I can’t do this. I need to go,” I mumble between sobs, hastily throwing items into my suitcase.

Mike’s voice echoed through the walls, screaming, “You did what?!” in a rage.

Meanwhile, Nate’s voice is filled with desperation as he pleads with me to stay. “Please don’t go, baby. We can only keep you safe here,” he says, his voice trembling with fear.

I quickly finished packing and searched the kitchen for my car keys.

I know Cain has them or is hiding them.

“Give me my car keys, Cain,” I demand, my anger boiling. Cain refuses to hand them over, staring me down. Frustrated and at a loss, I take out my phone and send a message to Rae, providing her with the address and hoping she would arrive quickly. “Fine. I’ll leave my car here,” I mutter, defeated.

Nate tries to reason with me in a soft, soothing tone. “Baby, listen. We can sort this out. Ok?” he says, his voice filled with reassurance. I just cry.

Cain sits at the kitchen table, his face devoid of any emotion as he watches me break down.

I want him to apologize for what he did and beg for forgiveness, but he remains silent. Mike speaks up with annoyance, “Say something, Cain.” However, Cain stares into the distance, not indicating that he intends to speak. Mike’s tone softens as he continues, “You really think we can just let you go, Tessie?” His voice fills with sadness.

I reach out to open the front door and Nate’s hand swiftly grabs my arm. His eyes plead with me as he whispers, “Baby, please.” I feel a lump forming in my throat as I struggle to maintain my composure. “All good things must come to an end,” I mutter through tears. With a heavy heart, I step out of the house just as Rae pulls up in her car, the loud music blaring out of the speakers.

Slowly making my way out of the house, I hear the sound of Nate and Mike following me. I see Rae getting out of the car and walking towards me. Confusion is written all over her face as she sees Mike. Trying to hold back my tears, I tell her I will explain everything once we reach her place. Rae takes the suitcase from me and puts it in the back seat of her car. I quickly get into the car, urging Rae to drive away from there as soon as possible. As we drive away, Rae asks if I am hurt; her voice is filled with concern. I assure her that I am physically unharmed, but I cannot stop crying.

Cain rises from the chair, his movements slow and heavy, as if weighed down by the gravity of the situation. He crosses the room and opens the cupboard, his hand searching for something. It finds a bottle of whisky, pulls it out, and uncorks it with practiced ease. The liquid pours into the glass with a soft, amber glow, and Cain takes a long drink without looking at me. I feel my frustration mounting, the words tumbling out of my mouth before I can stop them. “You better sort this out! I’ve just lost the best thing that’s happened to me.” Cain remains silent, his eyes fixed on some distant point beyond the room’s walls. His hand grips the glass tightly and I can see the muscles in his jaw working as he takes another sip of whisky. Feeling helpless, I grab my phone and log into the college’s system. My fingers shake as I type in Rae’s name, trying to find her address.

As I’m getting ready to leave, I quickly grab my car keys from the key holder, ensuring I don’t forget anything else. Nate notices and curiously asks, “Where are you going?” I glance back at him and without hesitation reply, “She has people after her. I can’t let anything happen to her. I’m willing to go to any lengths to make sure she’s safe.” As I step out of the front door, I feel a sense of responsibility and determination sweep over me. I know it will be a long night, but I’m prepared to sit in a bush all night if it means keeping her out of harm’s way.

“Wait. I’m coming,” Nate says, rushing behind me.

In a conversation with Rae, I open up about my complicated relationship with the trio. However, I don’t disclose the dark details of being stalked and the subsequent killing. Instead, I explain how I reached a point where I could no longer bear the intensity of the relationship and needed space to clear my head.

“Hang on, you were getting three dicks at once?” she scoffs.

“Uhh…”

“Damn! I can’t even get one dick, let alone three.”

“Rae!”

“Let me get this straight. So you met Nate, the heater guy, and fucked him. Then you met that police sergeant and fucked him. Started getting flirty with our college professor and kissed him. Then you went to Nate’s house and realized they knew each other. Then you ended up fucking all of them?” she explains back to me.

I take a sip from my glass of wine and express my concern, “When you say it like that, it sounds much worse than I had originally thought.”

I felt like such a slut at that moment. Was I?

Rae chuckles softly as she lifts the wine glass to her lips, savoring the taste of the rich, velvety liquid. But her expression quickly turns serious as she turns to me, her eyes searching mine. “They didn’t harm you, did they?” she asks, her voice laced with concern. I shake my head.

“Do you happen to know if they have any friends?” she inquires curiously. I playfully tap her shoulder and exclaim, “Jesus.”

“I’m joking. It’s gonna be interesting going back to college on Monday.” She chuckles.

Shit, I forgot I would have to face Mike at college. I take a deep breath and remind myself to keep it professional. I know I have to go in and act like he is my professor and nothing more, no matter how awkward or uncomfortable it may feel.

Rae gets up from the sofa, her long, dark hair sways gently with the movement. She walks over to the kitchen counter, grabs the bottle of wine, and carefully pours herself another glass, the deep red liquid cascading smoothly into the glass. I sit on the sofa, looking around her apartment and taking in the details. The space is well-lit and airy with a modern yet botanical theme evident in the potted plants scattered throughout the room. The furniture is tastefully chosen and arranged with a cozy yet sophisticated vibe.

Rae enthusiastically expresses, “You know what we really need right now? Pretty Woman!”

I take a sip of my wine, feeling a bit hesitant, and respond, “I’m not sure I can handle a romance film at the moment.”

“Bitch. Come on.”

“Fine…”

My phone vibrates and I quickly glance at the screen to see another message from Nate. It’s yet another plea for me to come back to them. As I read his words, a tinge of sadness washes over me.

Nate

Please come back, baby. xx

We can talk about it. Cain was a dickhead. He was so in the wrong. Xx

I understand if you don”t want to talk to me right now. When you do, I am here. Xx

If you need my help day or night, I am only a call or text away, baby. Xxx

Sorry, I’ll leave you alone now. I miss you already. :( xx

“Dude, stop texting her. You will scare her anyway!” I exclaim.

Nate takes a long drag of his cigarette, the smoke billowing out of his mouth as he exhales. He slides his phone into his pocket and mutters a quick apology.

We’re crouched behind a thicket of tall bushes just outside Rae’s apartment, our view of her lounge unobstructed. Fortunately, Rae lives on the ground floor. Nate turns to me, his expression grim. “Have you heard from Cain?” he asks. I shake my head, my worry mirroring his. “No, not yet.”

“What the hell was he thinking?” Nate growls, frustration lacing his words. “Scaring her like that?”

I nod in agreement, anger coursing through me. Cain’s behavior was reckless; Tessie didn’t deserve to be put in danger like that.

Nate and I have come to an agreement to take turns watching over Tessie, ensuring her safety and well-being around the clock. During my college days, I will take care of her during the day, while Nate and I will swap roles for the night time shifts.

As we sit together, I can’t help but mutter under my breath, “Oh, god. They’re watching Pretty Woman and drinking wine.”

My phone suddenly starts buzzing. Upon checking, I realize that the new group includes me, Nate, and Cain.

Cain

Have you got her covered?

Me

Of course. Why did you do it?

Cain

She needs to know her place. I just showed her, that”s all.

Me

You’re fucked up dude.

Cain

I’ll cover her too. Just tell me when.

Me

What, and scare her more?!

The movie draws to a close.Rae and I begin to feel the effect of the wine we’ve been sipping throughout the evening. The alcohol begins to take hold and we find ourselves caught up in the story unfolding on the screen. Rae’s words slur a bit and she comments on what a classic the movie is. Just then, Roxette’s unmistakable tune of Must Have Been Love fills the room, and I can’t help but agree with Rae’s assessment. I raise my glass of wine, swaying along to the song’s rhythm and feeling the warmth of the alcohol coursing through my body.

We rise from the plush sofa, the rhythm of the music takes hold of us, and we begin to sway in unison. I can’t help but confess, “You know, I’m a complete sucker for eighties music as well.”

The music plays slowly in the background and Rae asks me a question that catches me off guard. “Did you love them?” she inquires, her movements graceful and fluid. For a moment, I find myself lost in thought, my eyes darting from side to side as I try to come up with an answer. “Love is a powerful emotion, Rae,” I finally reply, my voice measured and thoughtful.

Did I love them? Yes…No…What the fuck am I thinking? I’m drunk.

“You know who I thought I loved?” Rae asks.

“Who?”

“Dan…I mean, it was platonic. However, we fucked drunk a couple of times.”

“Really?” I ask. Oh no, the subject of Dan.

“Yeah. I thought he was in love with you, though. He was always asking questions about you.”

“You know what he was like. Too nosey for his own good.” I reply, still swaying to the music.

“Why are you referring to him in past tense?” she questions.

FUCK! SHIT! Think of something quick!

“Am I? I’m drunk.” I giggle.

Rae laughs and sways to the music with me as we hold our glasses of wine.

I slowly openmy eyes and I feel a sharp pain in my head. The room spins around me and I realize I must have had too much wine last night. Struggling to get up, I walk into the lounge where I find Rae sitting by the window, wearing dark sunglasses and holding a cigarette with her hair in a messy bun. Despite feeling groggy, I can’t help but chuckle at her. Rae seems to be in a similar state, muttering to herself as she picks up her coffee cup. The room is quiet except for the faint sound of the coffee pot brewing in the kitchen. The sun is shining bright outside, casting long shadows across the floor.

“I swear never to drink again,” I declare as I pour myself a refreshing glass of water. Rae mutters something, but I can’t quite make out what she said. I take a seat beside her by the window and she slides some painkillers towards me, whispering, “For your headache.” I gratefully accept them, washing them down with a gulp of water. Rae has the window open as she smokes, allowing a cool breeze to circulate the room. I inhale deeply, savoring the fresh air.

An unexpected movement catches my attention in the corner of my eye. Curious, I swivel my head to look outside. That’s when I see a fleeting shadow darting through the thick bushes. “Did you see that!” I exclaim, unable to contain my surprise.

Rae groans softly. “Babes, I love ya. However, you are shouting and I am hungover. It was just a fox. There are so many of them around here,” she replies before taking a long drag of her cigarette, seemingly unimpressed by the commotion.

Before I know it, a sleek fox emerges from the foliage and darts onto the street. Rae pulls down her sunglasses to the bridge of her nose and rolls her eyes in bemusement.

Rae takes a sip of her coffee and looks at me with a concerned expression. “Are you feeling nervous about tomorrow?” she asks.

“Yeah, just a little. But I’m trying not to think about it too much. I will just see him as my professor and nothing more.”

Rae nods in agreement and then mutters under her breath, “He better not be grumpy and take it out on the class.” She then turns to me and asks, “Oh, I have work this afternoon until late. Will you be okay here by yourself?”

“Yeah, I have to do some work on the laptop. I will watch a film after or something tonight.”

The moonlight shines as I trudge through the muddy ground and finally spot Nate hidden behind a bush. He’s intently watching a window and I approach him quietly. “Boo,” I whisper, trying to lighten the mood. However, Nate’s expression remains serious as he turns to me. “You better not do anything stupid,” he warns me sternly, “like scare her.” I raise my eyebrows in disbelief and let out a frustrated sigh. “I mean it, Cain,” Nate continues, his voice heavy with emotion. “I miss her so much, she won’t reply to my texts. Now I have to watch her from a bloody bush.”

Nate rises from the ground and reaches for a pack of cigarettes in his pocket. He turns towards me and says, “Mike will take over halfway through the night.” Patting my back in assurance, I nod. He starts walking back to his truck.

I stare at her window and notice Tessie moving around inside the apartment. The curtains are wide open and I can’t help but wonder why she hasn’t closed them yet. It almost seems as if she wants me to observe her every move.

She is currently wearing one of Mike’s t-shirts that she stole from him. Although it is too large for her, she looks incredibly hot in it.

Tessie turns off all the lights in the front of the apartment and I watch her make her way to the bedroom. The soft glow from the streetlights outside illuminates her silhouette, casting long, delicate shadows across the room. For a moment, I am transfixed, unable to look away. But then I remember why I’m here. I glance around, checking to ensure no one else is around, before quietly slipping out of the bush and into the back of the building. The darkness envelops me like a cloak.

I peer through the window. I feel grateful that the apartment backs onto a dense thicket of shrubs.

Tessie is so dippy. I can see her lying on her bed in the room through a small opening in the curtains. It seems like she hasn’t closed the curtains completely, as there is a thin gap from where I can observe her movements.

My breaths come out in ragged gasps and I can’t help but fixate on her. She’s engrossed in her phone, scrolling through something intently. A notification of Nate’s text pops up on her phone. Of course, he has been texting her. He is smitten.

Suddenly, she pulls up a photo—a snapshot of the four of us taken outside the restaurant on her birthday night. That is kind of cute. Are you thinking about us, princess?

I notice that she gradually lowers her hand towards her panties. I stand there, surprised and taken aback.

She starts rubbing her hand over her panties as she looks at the photo of us four—such a naughty girl. I can hear her let out a whimper through the window.

I watch her as she moves her fingers in her panties and starts rubbing her clit slowly.

Fuck.

She’s teasing me and doesn’t even know. I want to break down the front door, scare her, and have my way with her. Fucking teasing me like this.

I could–No. What the fuck am I thinking.

Her finger movements get faster on her clit, rubbing vigorously. Her legs are spread wide open. Her chest rises up and down as she moans.

My cock is getting stiff and I start rubbing myself.

I want to punish her for getting me hard. I’m supposed to be watching her from a distance.

Fuck, I want to punish her so bad. So fucking bad. The things I’d do to her. I’d fucking ruin her body and make her scream my name. Make her beg.

I watch as she arches her back, pushing her head into the pillow as she continues to rub her clit.

That’s it, baby…Keep rubbing yourself.

I unzip my trousers, spit on my hand, gasp my hard cock, and start moving my foreskin back and forth over the head.

I wish this glass window weren’t between me and her. I can’t help but let out a quiet moan as I watch her play with herself.

That’s it. Keep rubbing that pretty clit.

My hand movements get fast on my cock and she moans loudly as she plays with herself.

“I’m coming,” I hear her moan loudly through the glass.

Yes, that’s it, princess. Come for me. Put on a show.

I see her whole body jolt and her legs shake as she has an orgasm. I close my eyes for a second, letting out a grunt as I come, squirting out on the brick wall in front of me.

Damn, that girl knows how to make me come. She isn’t even on my cock. I watch her as she removes her fingers from her pussy to her mouth, tasting herself.

Such a fucking dirty girl.

“Seriously?” A voice says, unimpressed.

With my cock in my hand, I look to the right and see Mike standing there, arms crossed.

He walks away, shaking his head. I let out a deep sigh and put my cock back in my trousers. I follow him and mutter under my breath, “You would have done the same fucking thing.”

“You’re meant to be keeping an eye on her,” he says as we retreat behind the bushes.

“I was watching her…” I reply and smirk.

“Not like that, you fool,” he retorts, his disappointment palpable.

I tell Mike she was looking at a photograph of us while playing with herself. He can’t help but smirk.

We stand in the dark bush. Suddenly, bright headlights illuminate the surroundings. A car pulls up and we notice Rae behind the wheel. Mike takes over the watch duties for the rest of the night.