17. Madelyn
MADELYN
Twenty minutes later, Hannah and I clink our daiquiri and margarita glasses. We’re sitting at a table at our local bar, ready to get drunk with class.
“I’m so glad we’re doing this,” Hannah says. “I had the most stressful day. I really need this.”
“Me too.” I chug down my drink and straighten, taking out my phone from my handbag.
Seven thirty. It’s still early. I open the camera app and point the phone at myself. Hannah sees me doing it and joins in for the picture with her drink.
We’re smiling, both with reddened cheeks. We look like we’re having a good time.
Perfect get back image. Perfect bait.
I click on the thread of messages my stalker sent, press on the number he gave me, and add it to contacts. Then, I open a new message, attach the picture, and send it along with a quick note.
Madelyn:
Whoops, sorry, can’t make it to our session tonight. Too busy having fun. You’re welcome to stop by.
My heart’s beating fast as I prepare for my next move. I can’t believe I’m being this reckless.
I click on location and send it.
I’m giving him no excuse not to show up, if he dares.
To my surprise, there’s no instant reply this time.
So, I leave my phone aside on our table and focus on my friend.
“One more drink?” I suggest.
“Keep ’em coming.” Hannah laughs. “As long as I’m able to walk straight tomorrow without a headache pulsating through my temples.”
“If we stay here long enough, I doubt that’d be the reason you won’t be able to walk straight tomorrow, babe.” I wink at her.
“God, I want to get laid.” She groans as she empties her glass. “I’ve been reading this dark cowboy romance where he teaches her how to ride a horse and is an expert with ropes. There are more than a few things I’d love to try, and that’s all I’ll say.”
“That sounds fun.” I giggle. “But I’m perfectly fine having a drink with my friend to detox after work, no guys involved.”
Even if the temptation is big. And it would piss off my stalker even more.
“Okay. Yes, girl. You’re right. Chicks over dicks, anytime.” She clinks her empty glass with mine. “Let’s get another drink!”
And just as we say that, a group of four guys walk into the bar.
Hannah and I follow them with our eyes.
One of them has short blond hair and a trimmed beard, shoulders for days, wrapped in a tight white T-shirt and a denim jacket. Square jaw and full lips. Another one, taller, with dark locks and even darker eyes wears a black jacket, a band T-shirt, and blue jeans.
The next, shorter and leaner, is in a knit sweater and jeans in warmer colors, with a cool mustache and wavy brown hair. His eyes are the star of the show though, green as emeralds behind frames.
The last one to walk in is the one who has my whole attention. Dark brown hair and similar-colored eyes. Arms full of tattoos. Wearing a T-shirt and holding a jacket in his arm. All in black.
Confusion ripples through my face with the recognition of the familiar face.
“Is that—” Hannah pauses. “What’s his name?”
“Joseph?”
“Yes!” she exclaims. “The school janitor?”
“Indeed.”
“Dayum. When did he get hot?”
“He’s always been hot. He’s just wearing clothes other than his uniform, and there’s no cap covering most of his face.”
“And what a difference that makes.” She fans herself with a hand. “Hot damn. Should we talk to him?”
“I’m not going to, but you should.”
I’m more preoccupied with what he’s doing here. In the same place I am.
After I texted my stalker my location.
Especially since he was around when I found the page of my diary on the bulletin board at school.
Either Joseph has something to do with my stalker, knows him, or he’s always at the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s hard to tell.
Even if I wanted to confront him, he’s not going to straight up tell me it’s him. I can’t do it unless I have evidence.
“Do you think so? Hmm.” Hannah bites her fingernail. “And how exactly would I do that? Go up to him and say hi, we’ve been working together for years, but I haven’t noticed you’re exactly my type until now?”
I laugh a little too loud. “Girl, you’re killing me. You’re the expert between us.”
“I am.” She sighs. “But it’s been a while, remember?”
“Right.”
Something clicks in my head.
I haven’t gotten a sample of Joseph’s handwriting. I have everyone at school except him. I couldn’t catch him during my break time. Seems like this might be the perfect excuse for Hannah to approach him. I don’t want to take advantage of Hannah’s kindness, but it’d be a win-win for both her and me.
“Okay, girlie, listen up. I have the perfect idea.”
Hannah tilts her head my way.
“I didn’t ask for his handwriting today. Maybe you should. I think I have some paper and a pen on me, let me check.” I unzip my handbag and dig for a notepad I always keep with me.
I tear off a page and hand her a pen as well. “Here you go.”
“Maddy, really? At a bar?”
“Why not? We work together, and he knows we’re preparing for the charity event. I’m sure he’ll be happy to help. Even if his handwriting sucks, it’s a way in.”
She purses her lips. A few moments later, she sighs, stretching out her hands. “Okay, I’ve got nothing better. I’ll do it. Want to go together?”
“I—I don’t want to get in the middle,” I say. “I’m being an invisible wing woman today. Watching from afar. Go get him, girl. You’ve got nothing to worry about. You’re a babe.”
She smiles at me, her confidence clearly showing as she gets up and heads to the bar. “Thanks, Maddy.”
I’ve got a much better view than I anticipated from here.
I’m captivated by the movie playing in front of me as Hannah approaches Joseph with his friends, presses a hand over his shoulder, then goes on to show him the piece of paper and hands it to him.
Oh my God. She’s actually doing it.
Except she doesn’t stay with Joseph. Very soon, the blond, bearded guy pulls out the empty seat next to him and Hannah accepts. The blond guy passes her a drink and takes the note from Joseph.
I can’t hear what he’s saying, but if I squint my eyes enough, I swear he’s mouthing he’s got great handwriting, too. The note is in his hands as well as the pen, and he’s scribbling something on it, and Hannah’s smiling. Joseph smiles from the far corner but remains chill.
Did he even write on the note?
Now, the blond guy passes the note to Hannah, who giggles as she sips from her drink.
The knit-sweater guy with the curly hair is on Hannah’s other side, but he’s talking to another girl.
Seems that Band T-shirt Guy and Joseph are the only ones without a date.
If Joseph is my stalker, he sure as hell is good at pretending to ignore me.
He’s staring at his phone now.
Maybe I should text my stalker again, see if Joseph reacts.
I grab my phone off the corner of the table and open the exchange of messages.
Are you here yet?
I don’t know if Joseph’s phone vibrates. All I know is that as soon as I look at him, his eyes are on mine.
A chill runs down my spine.
This could be a coincidence. Maybe he just looked up and saw me, and we happened to stare at the same time.
But it’s cutting it close.
I’ve got my phone in my hand, and it’s not buzzing back. No reply.
“Hey, mind if I take a seat?” I’m caught mid-typing, my eyes looking up to the stranger in front of me.
Band T-shirt Guy, the emo-looking one from Joseph’s group is pointing at the empty seat at my table.
When did he come up here?
Up close, he’s way better looking than I gave him credit for. His eyes are brown and deep, really deep. He’s buff too, which I can see now that he’s taken his jacket off. He’s leaner than Joseph and the blond guy, but not as lean as the knit-sweater guy.
He’s got a pretty tattoo covering his hand, and his fingers are long and decorated with thick silver rings.
I bite my bottom lip. I’m a sucker for guys with tattoos and nice hands. And the psycho isn’t replying.
I may as well have a little fun. I doubt I’ll get much else done tonight.
“Go ahead.”
Band T-shirt Guy smiles awkwardly, taking a seat in front of me. It’s only now that I notice on his other hand is a drink, as he hands it to me.
“Heard you’re a teacher. Thought you may like this.”
I tilt my head. Is this Hannah’s doing?
“It’s an Espresso Martini.”
“Oh.” Of course it is, because I’m a teacher. And I need caffeine. My shoulders relax, and I giggle. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” he says.
“Are you not drinking?”
“I’ve had one beer. I need to drive.”
I nod. “Designated driver?”
“Supposed to be,” he says. “I’m not sure I’m taking any of these guys home, though.” He points at the back, where the rest of them are, Hannah in between them, laughing and drinking, except Joseph.
Joseph’s gone.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand still.
“I’m Lucien, by the way,” he says, bringing my focus back to him.
I drink half the Espresso Martini in one gulp. If Joseph is my stalker, he isn’t doing a very good job at it.
“Lucien,” I repeat. “Similar to Lucifer, the prince of darkness.”
God, I think I drank too fast. What am I saying?
“I’m Madelyn. You can call me Maddy. Or even Mads, if you prefer.”
“Wouldn’t that be offensive?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Given the fact I just called you the literal devil, I think we’re square.”
“You’ll be the first chick ever to willingly let me call her mad.”
We both laugh. Whether it’s my drunk or sober humor, he gets it, and I like that.
“Do you want another drink, Mads?”
I probably shouldn’t. I may end up in bed with this guy.
“Okay, only one more.”
“Another Espresso Martini?”
I nod. That drink was delicious.
“Be right back.”
I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but our interaction so far has been promising. Maybe I should allow myself to have a good time and not only think about revenge. Maybe I’ll get lucky tonight.
I smile and occupy myself with my phone instead of useless thoughts. Lucien seems like a decent guy.
Still no reply from the stalker, but it isn’t surprising. He talks when he wants to talk, not when I want him to.
After a couple of minutes, I lift my eyes to the bar. Lucien isn’t there, but he might have gone to the bathroom. Hannah or the others aren’t there either.
I shoot Hannah a quick text to make sure she’s okay.
Madelyn:
You good? Did you leave with blondie?
Her reply comes quickly.
Hannah:
God, no. I wouldn’t leave without telling you. I’m in the bathroom, and he went out to get his car. Are you okay?
Madelyn:
Yes. I’m with Band T-shirt Guy. He went out for a smoke.
I lie. It’s clear I’ve been stood up. As usual. But I don’t want to worry Hannah. She should still have fun, that’s what we’re here for.
Madelyn:
So you are leaving with him.
This time, my message is not a question but a statement.
Hannah:
Yup. Want me to stay?
Maddy:
Absolutely not. Go get that D, girl. Tell me all about it later.
Hannah:
I will hehehe *eggplant emoji* *tongue emoji* You too!
Maddy:
I will *smug smile emoji*
I sigh and sidle up to the bar to order another drink, because why the fuck not?
Sitting by the bartender, I drink my Espresso Martini in silence. The bitterness of the coffee imitates the current state of my dating life.
Why did I think it would be any different this time? What’s so hard about a girl wanting to have a little fun and pissing off her stalker on the way?
I grunt.
Once again, Madelyn A’gosto got stood up by a guy.
I don’t even know what I’m doing here anymore.
I finish up my drink, my head spinning, as I hold my phone in my hands.
There’s no way I’m walking home.
It’s either I take a cab or…call the one guy I shouldn’t.