“Do you think he doesn’t love me anymore?”
He paused for a moment, perhaps to tell me Dylan had moved on. He stared into my eyes. “Nikki . . .” He paused again, taking a deep breath. “I am sure he still loves you. How could he not?”
I wanted to believe it. I realized that I could screw everything up because Brad’s arms were so comforting and I was scared to be alone.
“I better go to bed, Bradley. Dylan wouldn’t understand if I spent the night in your arms.”
“Yeah…” He nodded. “I think that is a good idea. If you are too shaken up to go to work tomorrow--”
“No, I definitely want to go in. The alternative is to stay here alone. That is not happening.”
“If you need me to take off work, I will.”
“You already have done too much. You have been such a great friend.” I leaned over and kissed him on the check. “Sweet dreams.”
“Sweet dreams, Nikki.” He walked out the room and closed the door.
I couldn’t sleep. Searching through my stuff, I found the red negligee Dylan bought me. I put it on, looking in the mirror. Touching the silk, I figured wearing it would help me dream of him.
Chapter Forty-seven
The next day, I woke up to the ringing of the phone. I stayed in bed. It felt so good under the covers.
“Yeah, she is here. She’s doing fine. She had a little situation where she was staying and figured it wasn’t safe, so I’m letting her stay here until things get a little better. I’ll let her tell you about it when you talk to her. She’s sleeping right now. Do you want me to wake her? Okay, call back soon. I know she would like to hear from you. No problem. Talk to you later.”
It dawned on me that he was probably talking to Dylan. I ran out of the room.
“Was that Dylan?”
Bradley just stared at me.
“Why didn’t you wake me up? Was that Dylan?”
Bradley examined me from head to toe, smiling. “I have to say, if I knew you were in the next room wearing that, I would have insisted on protecting you all night. Damn.”
“Shut up, Bradley.”
“You do look pretty sexy, I have to say.”
“Bradley!” I picked up a pillow from the couch and threw it at him.
“If he calls, I’m going to tell him that one is my favorite.”
“You are such an instigator. I was just trying to hurry to get the phone.”
“I think secretly you want to torment me.” He laughed. “Go get dressed or I’ll have to—”
“Stop!” I ran into my room as he pelted me with the pillows I had thrown at him.
I really wasn’t thinking when I left the room that I was in a red lace and silk negligee that was much too low cut in the front and much too short. I closed the door, asking Bradley a hundred questions through the door as I combed my hair and brushed my teeth. Then I searched through my bag for something to wear.
“How did he sound?”
“He said he missed you, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why.”
“Is he okay?”
“Nicole, I don’t know why I said that. It wasn’t Dylan. It was Carl from work. He heard you were staying with me and—”
“Dylan didn’t call?”
“He will call soon. I’m sure he just doesn’t know where to call.”
Disappointed, I sat on my bed. I was about to take off my negligee and put on some real clothes, when the phone rang. Praying it was Dylan, I grabbed the sheet off the bed to cover myself up as I ran out the room.
“Can I get it?”
“Sure. If it’s Dylan, don’t act too mushy now. I don’t want to hear it.”
I ran to the phone and lifted the receiver.
“Dylan?”
“Bitch, you are dead. You hear me? You are dead, little whore. You are next.”
I dropped the phone receiver. The sheet fell to the floor. How did he know where I was? I began shaking, turning ghostly white. I slid to the floor in the comfort of my little ball.
Bradley ran over to me. “What happened? Are you okay? What is it?”
I couldn’t speak.
“Nicole, what happened?”
“It was him.” I gasped, rocking back and forth holding my stomach. “It was Steve. How does he know I am here?” I looked up at Bradley, “Bradley, he knows where I am.”
Tears poured from my eyes. I couldn’t help myself. My heart was racing.
“It’s gonna be okay.” He squatted down beside me.
“How does he know where I am? Isn’t he in prison?”
Brad brushed my hair from my face—my hair now dampened with tears.
“Who knows you’re here? Maybe someone at the club didn’t realize who he was and told him. Or maybe he found your address book. I’ll change the phone number today.”
“He said he was going to kill me, Bradley. He’s gonna kill me.”
“I won’t let that happen. I promise.” He kissed my forehead. “It’s gonna be okay. He’s still in jail. There is no way he could have gotten out already. You are safe. He’s just trying to scare you. I don’t know how he made the call, but he’s in jail. I saw the police arrest him last night.” Brad slowly lifted me to my feet and helped me to the bed.
He left the room, returning with a sleeping pill to help me rest. I had been having nightmares and not getting any sleep. He knew Steve was locked up and I was safe for now, so it was a good time for me to sleep. Perhaps it would relieve some of my anxiety.
He handed me the sleeping pill and started to walk out the door.
“Bradley,” I asked timidly. “Don’t leave.” I grabbed his hand.
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t leave me.” He sat down on the bed next to me, putting his arm around me. I laid my head on his shoulder, resting my hand on his chest. He saved my life. My fingertips gently grazed his skin, beginning to mistake his refuge for attraction.
I could hear his heartbeat begin to elevate as did mine.
In my vulnerable state, I began to confuse protection with desire and to mistake my needing his security for me yearning his touch. I glanced up; he was staring down at me. His eyes were so beautiful.
His lips were so inviting. I licked mine as our heads drifted in toward one another. Then I realized what I was about to do. I realized what I was still wearing and pulled the cover up over me. I recognized, although I wanted to feel his arms around me for security, it was wrong. Sitting up, I quickly looked away. I swallowed, feeling the warmth in my face.
He quickly stood up. His face turned a subtle shade of pink. He glanced out the door as he spoke. “You’re gonna be okay. If you need me, I’ll be in the next room.” He rushed to the door and closed it behind him.
I slowly drifted off to sleep.
I heard the smash of the glass as the window shattered.
“You whore! Where are you, stupid bitch?” He was in the house. I could hear a struggle. I opened the door to see the ax, to see the blood . . . to see Brad fall.
“Bradley,” I screamed. Steve glared up from the body. His ominous smirk threatened my very existence. I ran to my room and locked it. Where could I go? I looked in the mirror. I examined my hands. They were covered in blood. Blood! Had I been there when the ax took his life? Bradley’s blood was on my hands! Bradley’s blood stained my body! The red negligee tried to camouflage the scarlet blood of my sin. I killed Bradley. I put him in danger.
I should have never asked to stay here. Just then, the ax began smashing through the wooden door. His eyes narrowed as he peeked through the splintered wood. His smirk was forced, calculated, sinister. Steve staggered toward me with the ax.
I screamed, waking up from the horror—covered in sweat, trembling in fear.
“You okay?” Brad came running in.
“It was all my fault . . . you were dead.” I was slurring from the effect of the sleeping pills. I was still a little out of it.
“It was a dream. It was only a dream.” He
sat on the bed.
“He was here Brad. It was so real. He was here.” He wrapped his arms around me, giving me a hug.
“He’s locked up. He can’t hurt you anymore. I called the prison. He wasn’t let out on bail. I don’t know how he made that phone call, but he was calling you from jail.”
“He was here.”
I inspected my hands to make sure they weren’t covered in blood. Bradley held me in his arms for a moment. “You are gonna be okay.”
I needed to talk to Dylan. He didn’t call. I needed to hold him, but he wasn’t here. I needed his warmth. He was gone. I needed his protection. It had vanished.
I gazed up at Bradley. He looked down on me, and I gently reached up, touching his face.
“Bradley, why don’t you have a girlfriend? You are so amazing.”
“You are the one who is amazing.” He kissed the top of my head. Then he gently lifted my chin so our eyes would meet again. I couldn’t help it, my head drifted towards his as if under his spell again. His lips looked so delicious.
The phone rang, interrupting us. I realized I was about to kiss him and bit my lip, lowering my glance, stunned by my persistent attraction. I stared back into his eyes as it rang again, our heads again drifting toward each other, ignoring the disturbance.
Then Bradley stopped, “I better answer it. It might be the police.” He ran to the phone.
“Oh, . . .hello.” He took a breath in. “Uh, yeah, she has been waiting for your call, hold on.”
Brad called out, “Nicole . . . Nicole, it’s Dylan.” Shocked, I wrapped myself in my blanket again and ran to the phone. Brad handed me the phone without making eye contact. I watched him quietly retreated to his room.
“Dylan?” I took a deep breath in. Could he tell from my voice that I had almost kissed his best friend?
“I’ve missed you so much. What’s going on? Why are you staying at Brad’s house? I’ve been calling Steve’s house and it just rings and rings. I called the bar, but the stupid waitress kept putting me on hold and would forget to get Brad. I’ve been going crazy. I’ve called Brad’s cell but keep getting the stupid machine.”
“I didn’t know how to get in touch with you. It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Are you okay? I was worried sick.”
“It’s been a little scary, but I’m okay.”
“I’ve been going crazy. The last time I talked to Brad, he said you hadn’t been able to go into work. Chris is on contract, so I couldn’t contact him. I realized I don’t have your family’s number. Oh my god, it’s so good to hear your voice.”
How was I going to tell him? The man he told me not to move in with was a murderer. How was I going to inform him that I lost all of his money? How was I going to reveal to him that I had been in Bradley’s arms? How was I going to explain to him . . . I liked it?
“Dylan,” I began.
“Yes, baby. It’s almost Christmas. I can’t wait to see you. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms. How is Jessica? How’s my little princess. Can I talk to her?”
“She went back home with Emily. Things were a little weird up here, and I wanted her to be safe. But he’s in prison now. I’m okay.”
“Yeah, Chris told me they caught that guy, Chuck, from the bar. What happened? Did he do anything to you?”
“It wasn’t Chuck.”
“What happened, Nicole? Was it that guy Steve? What happened?”
“You were right, Dylan. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you. Steve is wanted for murder, so Brad has let me hide out here. It turns out Steve has been stalking me. I sent Jess home with Emily to be safe.”
“I knew it. I hated you staying there with him! I’m going to kill that weasel. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I was able to get out of there. It has been scary, though. Brad has really helped a lot. I wish you were here. I would feel so much safer if you were here.”
“I’ll be there in a few days. Oh my god, baby. I’m so sorry. I’m going to kill him. I’ve been so worried about you. Jess is okay?”
“Yeah, she is safe with my parents.”
“So Jess won’t be there? Nicole, it’s Christmas. You need to be with your angel. We need to get you home so you are away from that psycho anyway.”
“I lost my driver’s license in his house. I can’t fly home without my ID.”
“I’ll fly you there. I can borrow Chris’s plane or I’ll rent one. I’ll make sure you get home to see your family.”
“Thank you, Dylan. Thank you so much.”
“I wanted to take you to Venice, but the truth is it wouldn’t be Christmas without Jessica. I’ve never been to the East Coast. It will be fun.”
“Dylan, I’m so sorry. Steve has the money you gave me. I wasn’t able to get it back. I had to get out of the house once I found out how dangerous he was. I am so sorry. I’ll find a way to pay you back.”
“Nicole, that money was to keep you safe. You are safe, right? That is what is important.”
“I can’t believe how wonderful you are. Dylan, I’ll get a hotel room for the next few days till you get here. Steve’s locked up so I should be safe.”
“Why would you do that?”
“I want to give Bradley his space.” The truth was I didn’t want to leave but thought maybe I should. Bradley and I were getting pretty close. I wouldn’t want Dylan to feel for a girl the way I was starting to feel for Bradley.
“You better not go anywhere. Brad is like a brother. He won’t let anything happen to you. Promise me you will stay. Let me talk to Brad.”
“Brad,” I called out. “He wants to talk to you.”
Brad came to the phone.
“Hey Dylan, what’s up? What do you need? She is welcome to stay here as long as she likes.” Brad nodded. “I have been trying to keep her safe. Great, we will see you then.” Brad handed the phone back to me.
“Brad said it was fine. Will you promise to forget this idea of staying by yourself? You have to stay safe. I almost died these last few weeks worrying about you. At least if you are with Brad, I know you are in good hands. Promise you will stay with Brad?”
“I promise.”
“I’ll see soon, baby.”
I hung up the phone.
“Nicole, that was a stupid idea—get a hotel room?”
“I’m a little worried something will happen to you because of me. What if he comes here, Bradley? What if he comes here and does something to you?”
“First of all, he’s locked up so we don’t have to worry about that. But secondly, if you were out there alone after all that has happened, I’d worry about you too much. It’s better you are here so I can keep an eye on you.”
“My patron saint of protection.” I smiled looking up at him.
“Can’t say I am a saint, but I will not let anything happen to you.”
“You are such a good friend. Dylan’s lucky to have you.”
“I’m not doing this for Dylan. I’m doing it because . . .”
Brad took my hands in his and looked into my eyes. I hated how beautiful they were. I bit my lip.
“Bradley…” I couldn’t deny the attraction between us, but nothing could ever come of it.
“I’m doing it because . . .” He let out a big grin. “I’m doing it because of that red thing.” He shook his head and smiled. “That is sexy as hell!”
“Shut up, Bradley.” I teasingly smacked him. “You are so bad!” I paused for a moment. “Bradley, I’m not sure what almost happened, but . . .”
“Yeah, I think it’s best for both of us that you don’t ever wear that again in front of me. While you are here with me, you will sleep in a baggie t-shirt and sweat pants instead. And maybe we should put a bag over your head just to be safe. Trust me, it will be safer for you.” He smiled.
Chapter Forty-eight
The tips that night were amazing. By eleven, I had made more than I do most nights. But I couldn’t help yawning.
“Brad, can I head home? I�
�m really tired. I haven’t been sleeping well.”
“Do you want me to see if Pete can close up again tonight?”
“I will be fine. Steve’s in jail. He can’t hurt me from there. Can you hurry home though? I feel safer when you are there.”
“Let me just take you home. It isn’t a big deal. Pete knows what to do.”
“No, Bradley. I’m a big girl. I will be fine. I don’t want you to get fired because I’m a little scared. I’ve got my car out back.”
“I won’t get fired Nikki…Okay, if you’re sure. I’ll rush home once I close up. Here,” he reached under the counter, “take this.” He handed me a pocketknife. “I don’t think you will need it, but take it anyway.”
“Bradley, I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” I grabbed the knife. “You know I won’t be able to use this, don’t you?”
“Just take it. It will make me feel better. Call me when you get home. Remember, you only have one headlight working. Be careful, Nicole.”
“I will. I’ll call you right when I get home.”
“And don’t forget the baggy t-shirt and sweat pants.” He smiled.
“Yes, I’ll pick out the ugliest thing I own just for you.”
“Okay, as long as we agree on that.”
Chapter Forty-nine
Turning onto the highway, I noticed the same set of headlights in my rearview mirror. They had been following me in the distance for a while. My stomach knotted. I’ll be fine. He’s in jail. But the steady glare of light behind me haunted me on this otherwise-vacant road.
Suddenly, the car gained speed to overtake me. My nervousness convinced me to take the next exit and try to lose it.
To relax myself, I envisioned arriving home with a nice cup of hot cocoa and warm blankets waiting for me. Of course, I would sleep with the lights on, at least until Brad got home.
Exiting the highway, I anticipated a street rimmed with houses, but the road was dark and barren. The truck got off the highway behind me. My stomach tightened. Could he be following me? I grew more uncomfortable. As it took the curve of the ramp, I noticed it was a dark Ford and seemed to be the same kind of truck as Steve’s.
The Impostor, A Love Story Page 29
