Chapter 17
I must have dozed off, because when I do wake it’s dark out, and I’m starving.
Don isn’t in bed with me, but I can tell he must have laid down with me at some point, because the bed is indented on the other side.
I waste no time getting up, taking care of my needs in the bathroom, and then go find the guys and some food.
I spot Camden in the kitchen, but no one else.
“Hey, pretty girl. Everyone else is outside on the deck. You want me to make you a plate?”
“Actually, I’m starving, so yes, please. Oh hey, did you and Brent find my house ok?”
“Yeah no worries, we got the pets set up with their auto feeders, they had plenty of water, and the dog door is all good to go. Oh, we also got your mail while we were at it, and your bag of clothes is in the closet of the room you are staying in.”
“Thank you, Cam. It’s a big relief that you guys did that for me.”
“It was no problem. We might joke around a lot, but we take care of our own. And you’re important to Don, so you’re important to us.”
Getting a little choked up, all I can do is nod. He finishes making me a plate and we both go outside. I sat down in the open seat next to Don. As soon as I’m seated, he pulls my chair closer to his before leaning over to kiss me.
“You feeling any better?”
“The nap definitely helped.”
He nods in understanding, and gives my thigh a little squeeze of reassurance.
“I’m really proud of you for how well you’re taking everything.”
Cam nods in agreement as he sets my plate down in front of me and we all dig in.
The guys dominate the conversation while we eat, with talk about work and other random things.
Every now and then I’ll speak up but for the most part I just listen, and I can’t help but be thankful for a small sense of normalcy.
We are just a group of people enjoying a meal and conversation together.
Realizing my glass is empty, I go inside to refill my water and put my dirty dish away.
While I’m rinsing off the plate, I notice my mail stacked on the counter.
Drying my hands, I flip through the stack making sure there’s nothing important that needs to be taken care of, like a bill.
A few pieces of junk mail, some really early black Friday sales ads, and a white envelope with my name on it.
Hmmm, I wonder what neighbor put that in.
I open it, not thinking much of it, and gasp immediately dropping the contents on the floor. Pictures with a note scatter everywhere. I’m helpless to look away as I stare in horror. There is picture after picture of me and Don during our date, and after when we were at his house.
Why the fuck is all of this happening to me?
The back door opens, Don and Brent walk in, but they stop short, immediately going on alert when they see me. I must look a mess, eyes brimming with tears and pure panic etched on my face. They both rush to me.
“Baby, what happened?”
All I can bring myself to do is point to the pictures scattered on the floor.
“What the fuck.”
Don crouches to pick them up, but Brent stops him before he touches anything.
“Don, don’t touch anything without gloves. Kinley, was this in the mail we brought from your house?”
I numbly nod again as I watch Don race out of the room to get gloves. Brent gently takes me by the shoulders, lifting me onto a bar stool. Blocking my view of the pictures.
“Just sit here. Ok? We will pick it up. It’s going to be ok.”
Hearing Brent say that, triggers a breaking dam inside of me and a sob breaks free. I’ve finally reached my limit, and there is no stopping the torrent of tears.
“Shit, Kinley.”
My body falls forward and I end up leaning into his chest as I sob.
“It’s—not—ok—nothing is—ok,” I manage to get out between sobs. Brent gently wraps an arm around me, holding me to him.
Cam and Aiden must hear the commotion, because they walk in with alarmed looks on their faces when they see me sobbing into Brent’s chest.
“Brent, what the hell happened?” Aiden asks.
“Just go help Don find the gloves in my office. Cam, go get my kit out of my SUV.”
They rush to do what he asks without further questions.
“Kinley, I need to ask you some questions, and I need you to calm down so you can think clearly. I know a lot has happened the last few days, but we are going to help you.”
It takes me a few moments to get myself under control. But it still takes a few more deep breaths before I can even begin to think somewhat clearly.
“Ok. I’m ok.” My breath shudders out, and I sniffle.
“You’re not ok, and that’s completely fine.”
Don, Cam, and Aiden all come back into the kitchen at that moment. Seeing me calmer, Aiden nudges Don over to me.
“Take care of her. We know how to do this.”
That makes me balk.
“Don, the pictures!”
“It’s ok, baby; I’ll get them. Just stay right there with Brent.”
I watch Don anxiously as he begins to collect pictures through my bloodshot eyes.
There are multiple pictures of Don and I naked.
Pretty sure there was also one where his cock was shoved down my throat, and I have no desire for anyone else to see that.
It’s a violation. That thought makes tears swim in my eyes again, but Brent brings my focus back to him.
“Hey, why don’t we go sit in the living room where it’s more comfortable. Would that be ok?”
I instantly recognize the placating tone—a tone I have used many times on students in high stress situations.
I slightly resent it, but understand why he’s doing it.
I take my gaze away from Don and Aiden collecting the contents of that envelope and nod.
Gently, he ushers me into the living room, getting me settled onto the couch and drapes a throw blanket over me.
He sits on the sturdy wood coffee table in front of me, taking one of my hands to comfort me.
“Ok, I’m just going to ask a few questions so we have a baseline of information. There is a good possibility that this is linked to the incident at the lake house, but before that, has anything out of the ordinary happened that could be linked?”
I shake my head.
“No, nothing like this has ever happened before. I’ve lived in the area for four years, and nothing has ever happened that would cause me to question if someone was watching me.”
My voice rises slightly with an edge of hysteria. Brent strokes my hand and comforting rumbles make their way to my ears. I can feel the tension coming from the kitchen, rolling in waves in response to my stress.
“It’s ok, Kinley; you are safe here. Ok, I’m going to need to ask some personal questions. Is there anyone you’ve dated recently or met up with that has gotten aggressive or possessive of you since you lived here?”
“I don’t date much, I’m so busy with work. Don is a fluke; it’s been over three months since I’ve been on an actual date, and that was a one and done. He was so boring, I didn’t see him again.”
“Would it be possible to get me a list of the guys you had contact with?”
He pauses at the incredulous look I give him.
“I swear this is just to rule out any potential threats to you. Don isn’t a jealous guy.”
“I can try.”
“Alright, what about work? Any disgruntled parents or coworkers?”
With just the mention of work, I think of Allen and how strange he has been acting lately. Could it really be him, though? Brent sees the change on my face.
“Who at work, Kinley?”
“I don’t think he could be it; it couldn’t be.”
“Kinley, tell me who and why you are thinking about him as a potential suspect.”
“It’s another teacher.” I look up at him and he nods for me to continue.
“Allen Cracket. I think he’s been at the school for two years. He’s been acting weird starting around the end of last school year. It’s kind of escalated recently, but I figured he was just weird. He got aggressive when I turned him down before I went up to the lake last weekend.”
Brent’s eyes narrow, “How did he get aggressive, Kinley?”
“He grabbed my arm pretty hard when I told him no. But he backed down immediately when I told him to. He hasn’t spoken to me since.”
“I’m going to need all the information you have on him. Did you report him at work?”
I shake my head in shame. I know I should have, and I’m very much regretting not doing so now.
Brent gives my hand another squeeze. “Hey, none of this is your fault. He fucked up when he thought he could come after you. We will take care of this.”
My breath shudders in and out. I desperately want to fall apart, but I hate feeling out of control.
I notice Brent look behind me, and he nods.
I turn around just in time to see Aiden walk out and go down a hallway, but then my eyes meet Don’s.
I search his face, looking for signs of anger or disappointment.
To my relief, I see none, but something on my face causes him to come around the couch.
He sits next to me, pulling me onto his lap.
Wrapping his big arms around me, he pulls me in close, resting his head atop mine as he deeply inhales my scent.
I let my body sink into his, and I quietly speak, my words muffled. “I don’t understand how someone does this. How were those pictures even taken? I didn’t tell anyone about our date.”
He rubs his hand up and down my back, trying his best to remain calm and comfort me in the process. I feel his body vibrating with tension, but he is taking everything that has happened in stride while I’m barely clinging to my sanity.
He is trained for this kind of stress. Maybe not when it involves him personally, but he knows how to deal with stressful situations.
Me on the other hand, I can deal with any situation dealing with teenagers.
Tell me I’m some type of magical creature?
Sure, ok, but stalkers? That is beyond my realm of coping.
I have officially reached my limit. Don is definitely the only reason I haven’t fallen into a heap of sobbing goo.