by Mj Williamz
“I just like to remind you where you come from. And I know eventually you’ll slip up and tell me where Phoebe is.”
“Even if I knew, I’m not sure I’d tell you.”
“You bitches stick together. But you do know. And I’ll find out from you. And then you’ll feel like shit and it’ll all be worth it.”
“I need to get going. It’s been a real pleasure,” Boone said.
She drove out to Serene Pathway, her mood foul. Even the promise of seeing Grey couldn’t elevate her spirits. Tanner was wrong. They were nothing alike. Sure, they had the same parents, but she grew out of that. He was the spitting image of their father. And he was proud of it. It made her sick.
She parked her truck and got out. She was surprised to hear a car pull up next to her. She turned to see Tanner’s truck. She felt a cold fist grip her stomach. She walked over to him as he got out.
“How did you get in here?”
“I drove in right behind you. They didn’t have time to close the gate.” He laughed.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“A friend of mine lives here.”
“I bet. What’s her name? Phoebe?”
“What? No. What are you doing here?” she repeated.
“I just wanted to see where you were going. So, take me in to meet your friend.”
“Why?”
“Because I care about your friends.”
“Bullshit.”
“Are you going to take me in or am I going to go in by myself?”
“You’re not going in. Get in your truck and get out of here.”
“No chance, sis. You seem too anxious for me to leave. Now I really need to know who’s in there.”
He walked to the door.
“Tanner!” Boone called. “Get the fuck out of here!”
He turned and smiled at her. “No way.”
The door opened and Grey stepped out.
“What’s going on out here? What’s with all the yelling?”
“Grey, you remember my brother, Tanner. Tanner, this is Grey. She’s the friend I was telling you who lives here.”
“Hi, Grey, it’s nice to meet you. Won’t you invite me in?” Tanner said.
“Why are you here?”
“I like to know friends of my sister.”
“Bullshit. You followed me out here because you have some inane idea that I know where your ex-wife is. I keep telling you I don’t. Now you’ve met Grey, who lives here, so you can leave,” Boone said.
“She’s my wife, not ex.” He turned back to Grey. “This is a big house for just one person to live in. You don’t have any roommates?”
Boone looked at Grey, her stomach still tight. She knew Grey wouldn’t blow it, but she also knew Tanner wasn’t taking no for an answer. And the minute he stepped in the house, he’d see it was much more than just a house. They had to keep him out.
“I don’t have any roommates. And I’m not accustomed to strangers showing up and demanding entrance to my house. I’ll thank you to leave now.”
“I’m not a stranger. I’m Boone’s brother. We’re practically family.”
“I’m afraid I don’t see it that way,” Grey said. “Will you leave or should I call the cops and have you arrested for trespassing?”
“What a fucking bitch! I’ll leave. But I’ll be back. I think you have something to hide. And I’m going to find out what.”
Boone stood by Grey and watched Tanner pull out of the driveway.
“I’m so sorry,” Boone said.
“How did that happen? How could you not have noticed him following you?” Grey was clearly pissed.
“I was lost in my thoughts. I’m sorry. I really never dreamed he’d follow me out here.”
“Now our whole operation is compromised. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“I’m so sorry, Grey.” Boone was at a loss. She didn’t know what she could possibly say to make things right. “I guess I should leave.”
“No.” Grey sighed. “He’s gone. The damage is done. Let’s just get inside.”
“What do I tell Phoebe?” Boone asked.
“That’s a really good question.”
“On one hand, I think she deserves to know,” Boone said. “On the other, I don’t want her to be afraid. She’s safe here, right?”
“I hope so, Boone. I really hope so. I hope Tanner bought that I’m just a friend and I live alone.”
“I can’t believe he followed me here.”
“I can’t believe it, either.”
Boone was filled with emotions. She was embarrassed to have let Tanner follow her, she was ashamed that she’d disappointed Grey, and she was still filled with hope to rekindle things with Grey. Although that last one probably wasn’t going to happen, thanks to Tanner.
Grey and Boone stood in the kitchen sipping coffee.
“So, back to Phoebe,” Grey said.
“Yeah. What do I do?”
“I think we need to be honest with her. We need to tell her exactly what happened.”
“What about his threat that he’ll be back?”
“I don’t think we need to mention that bit,” Grey said. “Let’s go see where she is, so you can see her.”
They walked back to the office and Grey scanned Phoebe’s schedule.
“She’s meeting with Connie right now,” she said. “She should be out soon.”
“Why is she meeting with Connie? She already has a job, right? She can go back there now that Tanner thinks she doesn’t work there, can’t she?”
“Boone, you know I can’t discuss her sessions with you.”
“Yeah, but…”
“No buts. I can’t. She can, if she chooses, but I will not.”
“That’s fair. I’m sorry I asked. I guess I just forget that I’m not part of her treatment plan.” She laughed weakly.
Grey smiled. She felt bad for Boone. She knew Boone felt horrible and only wanted to help. But she’d allowed Tanner to follow her. Grey knew she should be angrier, but she couldn’t stay mad. It wasn’t like Boone had invited Tanner there.
“I think you are part of her recovery, though,” Grey said. “I think your visits here do wonders for her. It’s always nice to know that not everyone on the outside has forgotten about you.”
“That makes me feel a little better.”
Grey reached out and took Boone’s hand. She squeezed it lightly before releasing it.
“You’re a good person, Boone Fairway.” She witnessed emotions flash across Boone’s face before she regained her composure. Grey cleared her throat. “Phoebe should be out of her session now. Why don’t we go to her room?”
Grey followed Boone down the hall, admiring the tall, trim form in front of her. She was having serious second thoughts about their breakup. She tried to remember her logic of calling it off, but it seemed to make less and less sense as time went on.
“Hey, Phoebs,” Boone said.
“Hi, Boone.” Phoebe’s face lit up. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve had a great day and want to tell you about it.”
“I’m glad you’ve had such a good day, Phoebe,” Grey said. “I’d like to hear about it, too.”
“Sure. So, Connie said I can go back to work Monday. They’re fine with me coming back. And they’re all understanding of my situation. Isn’t that great?”
“That’s wonderful,” Boone said.
“Yep, and I guess Tanner actually went by there, but they told him I didn’t work there. I doubt he’ll go back, right?”
Boone looked at Grey, who was having second thoughts about the whole honesty approach.
“I don’t know Tanner that well. Boone, what do you think?”
“I doubt he’ll go back there. I think if they told him you didn’t work there, he’ll believe it. He may want you back, but I don’t think he’s smart enough to think someone would lie to him.”
Phoebe was focused on Gr
ey. She seemed not to have heard Boone.
“What did you mean, Grey?”
“About what?”
“You said you don’t know Tanner that well. How do you know him at all?”
“Can we sit down?” Grey asked.
“You’re making me nervous.”
“Phoebe, Tanner followed me out here today,” Boone said.
“What? He what?”
“I’m sorry, Phoebe. I’m so sorry.”
“Where is he?” She jumped up and pulled her curtains back, looking out at the yard.
“He didn’t stay. He didn’t even get inside,” Boone said. “Grey heard us yelling outside and came out. She made him leave.”
“How’d you do that? Does he know I’m here?”
“No,” Grey said. “I told him I lived here and if he didn’t leave I’d call the cops.”
Phoebe sank down on her bed.
“He’ll be back. Did he believe you? Why would he? He’ll be back. I can’t stay here now.”
Boone sat and put her arm around her.
“There’s no reason for him not to have believed Grey.”
“But he found out where I worked. And now where I live. He won’t stop until he finds me.”
“Don’t forget you have a restraining order against him. He can’t get to you. We can call the cops any time,” Grey said.
“But will they get here in time?”
“We won’t have to worry about that. He won’t be back,” Boone said. “He has no reason to come back.”
Grey stared at Boone. They both knew he’d threatened to come back. She wanted to call Boone out on it, but opted instead to follow her lead.
“She’s right. He has no reason to think this is anything but my home.”
“I hope you’re right,” Phoebe said.
“You’re safe here,” Grey said.
“So tell us more about your day,” Boone said.
“I was feeling really good about work. I felt like soon I’d be able to get my own place. I know Grey has a list of housing places I could afford soon. But now I’m scared again. I have Grey here to protect me now, but at my own place, I won’t have anyone. I’m not so excited anymore. I’m just scared again. And I’m tired of being scared. And I’m pissed. Excuse my language, but I am. That bastard needs to move on and forget about me and leave me alone.”
“I’m trying to get him to do that,” Boone said. “Every time I talk to him, I try to convince him it’s time to move on. I’m hoping eventually he’ll listen to me.”
“Thank you, Boone. For everything.” She leaned into Boone’s shoulder and the tears flowed freely.
Grey felt like she was imposing. Her gaze locked with Boone’s and her stomach fluttered. She turned and left, walking to her office to work on her paperwork.
She couldn’t focus on her work, though. Her thoughts kept turning to Boone. She knew she should be angry with her for letting Tanner follow her. She knew Boone owned a bar and she was against that as a concept. However, she felt hypocritical since she’d had nothing but good times when she’d gone to The Boonies with Boone. She sighed and placed her head in her hands. She was so conflicted.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Grey looked up to see Boone leaning against the door frame. “Nothing worth a penny.”
Boone shoved off from the door frame and walked behind Grey. She placed her hands on her shoulders and began to rub.
A moan escaped Grey before she could stop it.
“I’d say you needed this, huh?” Boone said.
“I guess I did,” Grey confessed as she leaned back into Boone’s strong hands.
“So, why the exasperation? Are you stressing over Tanner?”
“Not really. Although I suppose I should be.”
“I don’t know. Sometimes he just blows hot air.”
“But we both know what happens when he acts.”
“Yes, we do.”
They were silent and Grey realized her reaction to Boone’s touch was more than enjoying a massage. She placed her hand on Boone’s.
“Thank you for that.”
“My pleasure. Hey, Grey, I’m really sorry about today. I feel horrible about Tanner.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Boone.”
“It was totally my fault.”
“You didn’t do it on purpose is what I meant.”
“No. I would never put this place or you or Phoebe in danger.”
“And I appreciate that.”
“So, um, look. I’d like to make it up to you. Can I buy you dinner?”
“Do you think that’s a good idea, Boone?”
“I think it’s a great idea or I wouldn’t have suggested it.” She smiled and Grey melted.
Grey was torn. Dinner with Boone sounded wonderful. Too good. But they weren’t an item and it wouldn’t be right to go out with her, would it? Would she be giving Boone false hope? Or was she giving herself false hope?
“I suppose one date wouldn’t hurt.” The words were out before she realized what she’d said.
“Date? I was just thinking dinner, but if you want it to be a date, that’s fine by me.”
Grey felt the blush creep over her face.
“I’m sorry. I meant dinner. One dinner won’t hurt.”
Boone just smiled. Grey felt stupid, but she couldn’t take back what she’d said. Boone was right. It was just dinner.
“I’ll meet you at six?” Boone said.
“Where?”
“La Trattoria.”
“Oh, good. Italian sounds good. I’ll see you there.”
Grey wrapped up her day in the office. She went to check on Phoebe and found her in the dining room having dinner. She seemed relaxed, so Grey just let herself out of the shelter and headed to meet Boone.
Grey was nervous when Boone walked in. She felt like a schoolgirl on her first date. She told herself she was being ridiculous, but she couldn’t calm herself. When Boone walked in, she feared she’d swoon.
“Hi, there. You ready for dinner?” Boone seemed so relaxed. Grey took a deep breath to steady herself. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. Let’s eat.”
The conversation was easy, and Grey found herself less at ease than she had been. Boone was such a fun person. She couldn’t relax, though. She kept questioning whether it was wise to be out with her. It didn’t help her resolve to not get back together with her.
“You sure don’t seem like you’re having fun,” Boone said.
“I’m sorry.” She didn’t offer an excuse. She was searching her mind for one when her cell phone rang. She checked it. “It’s the shelter.”
“Take it.”
“Hello? This is Grey.”
“Grey! We need you. There’s a man here yelling at security. I can see him through the cameras. The guard says he keeps demanding to see you. He’s loud and belligerent. I’m scared.”
“I’m on my way. Call the police. They’ll get there before I do.”
“What’s going on?” Boone asked as Grey stood.
“I have to go.”
“What’s happening?”
“My guess is that Tanner’s back.”
“I’m coming with you.”
They climbed into Grey’s car and sped off.
They arrived in time to see Tanner being placed in a police car. Grey approached an officer who was talking to her night manager.
“I’m Grey Dawson,” she said. “I own this place.”
“This guy says he’s trying to find someone named Phoebe. You know anything about that?”
“I can’t talk about any of my residents. But I can tell you he was here earlier looking for her, too. I told him then that I live here. That this is my residence. It’s critical that he not know otherwise.”
“Got it. We haven’t said anything to him. And we won’t. We’ll take him in for trespassing and public intoxication. We’ll have his truck towed, too. He won’t be bothering you again tonight anyway.”
&nb
sp; “Thank you, sir.”
The officer walked off and it was then that Grey realized Boone was standing next to her. She leaned into her strong arms and let herself be comforted. It only lasted a minute.
“We need to go check on Phoebe.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
They found Phoebe huddled in the corner of her room. She was rocking back and forth, crying uncontrollably.
“I heard Cecilia on the phone. Tanner was back, wasn’t he?” she said.
Boone went to her and pulled her into her arms.
Phoebe allowed her to hold her briefly before quickly becoming enraged. She pummeled Boone’s chest.
“This is all your fault!”
Grey didn’t know what to do. Before she could cross the room, Boone had taken Phoebe by her wrists and held her arms down.
“I don’t blame you for being mad at me,” she said. “But violence isn’t the answer. You know that.”
“But he wouldn’t have come here if not for you. Now what do I do?”
“He still thinks this is my house,” Grey said. “You’re safe here.”
“That’s what you told me earlier. And look what happened.”
“He’s gone now,” Grey said. “The police took him away. He won’t be back.”
“The police took him? You had him arrested? Oh, God. He’s really gonna be pissed. Can’t you do anything right?”
“He was arrested for trespassing and public drunkenness,” Boone said. “He saw Grey talking to the cops as he was being loaded into the car. He thinks this was all her doing. You need to trust us, Phoebe. Now more than ever.”
“Why?”
“Because if you don’t, and go off all half-cocked, you’ll be in a lot more danger than you are here. Grey’s not going to let anything happen to you. And neither am I.”
“Please continue to trust us. We’ll continue to keep you safe.”
Phoebe was silent. She seemed to have calmed. Boone had her cradled against her chest.
“I hope you’re right,” Phoebe finally said. “I really hope you’re right. I don’t feel very safe right now.”
“That makes sense,” Grey said. “You’re scared. And Tanner’s a scary man. But we won’t let him near you. It’s important that you get past your fear. You need to move on with your life. You’re making a better life for yourself. You’ve come so far. You can’t backslide now.”
