by Megan Noelle
With a sigh, I hung up and shoved my phone back into my purse before I could make a bigger fool out of myself. The cab finally arrived and took me home, but after trying to start my car and failing, I was back in the cab.
“Nearest liquor store please.”
I picked up a couple bottles of wine and gave the driver Kacie and Kari’s address. One of them would be working right now, but the other would guaranteed be home, and even if they weren’t I still had a key to their place. After I paid the man, I made my way to their third floor apartment. A few knocks on the door later and Kari appeared.
Kari’s eyes widened with surprise and her lips fell into a frown. “I’ve been worried about you.”
“Can I come in? I brought presents,” I asked, holding up the bottles of wine in each of my hands.
“Of course you can.” She pushed the door open and wrapped her arm around me. “You are always welcome here.”
By the time Kacie got home three hours later the two of us were good and drunk. We polished off the two bottles I brought over and had Devin make a liquor run for us before he went into work that night. Kacie knew I was over, but she still seemed shocked at the sight of us when she walked through the door.
“Holy wasted!”
Kari and I burst into a fit of giggles.
“Kacie!” we exclaimed. I jumped up from the couch and walked—stumbled—over to Kacie, throwing my arms around her.
“How is my very best friend?” I slurred out.
“Starving and apparently really missing out on an awesome time.” I laughed and nodded my head vigorously.
“You know what, I’m starving too! Let’s order pizza—my treat!” I declared.
“No way!” Kari butted in. “Pizza sounds great, but you brought over the first round of drinks! Let me and Kacie pay!”
“Nope! This one is on me. I apparently don’t have any hospital bills so I have plenty to spare!” Kacie carefully guided me back over to the couch before taking a seat to undo the straps of her heels.
“How do you not have bills, Grey? You were in the ambulance and stayed overnight, right?”
My head bobbed in confirmation as I took another long swig of the latest bottle we were working on finishing.
“That’s right!”
“Okay, well how then? Is Richard paying for everything?”
“Nope,” I said, shaking my head. “I wouldn’t let Richard pay for them.”
“Enough of the suspense then, woman! Who paid them!?”
The answer required another big gulp from the bottle that was unfortunately cut short as Kacie pulled it from my hands.
“The big man, Stefan Harrison,” I said with a laugh. The girls apparently didn’t find it nearly as funny as their mouths dropped open.
“Come again?” Kacie asked.
“Well, you were there Kari, I’m sure you saw him.”
Kari nodded. “Uh yeah, I did, but I didn’t realize he was going to pay anything for you!” she squealed out.
“Um yeah, didn’t you tell us yesterday that he wouldn’t even remember you?” Kacie interjected.
Kari’s eyes bugged out as she pointed to her sister. “Yes! You did say that, I remember!”
Kacie crossed her arms across her chest and stared me down. I shifted uncomfortably under her excruciating gaze, feeling undeniably trapped. “Hm, so how does that happen, Grey? How is it that a man you knew in high school, that supposedly wouldn’t remember you, would suddenly decide to pay your medical bills?”
“After a single glance!” Kari pitched in, only making this situation worse.
I bit down on my bottom lip and cast my glance around the room, praying for something spontaneous to happen so they would suddenly forget their questions.
“We’re waiting, Greyson Rose,” Kacie demanded in a low even tone you would expect to come from a mother when you’re in trouble.
My entire body chilled, no one other than Stefan used my first and middle name when talking to me. It was hard to hear, because every time I did I longed for it to be him saying it, and I hated wanting it to be him. Unfortunately though, you can’t tell your best friend not to call you that suddenly, and not expect her to ask why.
“Nostalgia?” Was the first excuse that came to mind and apparently—a bad one since all Kacie said back was, “Try again.”
I continued shifting my eyes around the room, but doing that while trying to avoid either sets of eyes was making me horribly dizzy.
“Alright, so maybe I knew him a little more than I let on and Stefan probably remembered me just fine.” Being as vague as I possibly could was my new plan. It wasn’t an easy feat since I knew they were going to keep beating me with questions until they believed they knew everything. Part of me knew it would just be so much easier to just give them everything right now and make my life a little easier. It wouldn’t be though, talking about Stefan was never something I could handle well; it was as Amy had said—I felt like a failure.
Until today I hadn’t said a word about it but now, all those overwhelming emotions sat on the brink of a meltdown. I wasn’t sure how long I could hold all this hurt in but if I didn’t—I’d completely lose myself.
“Still waiting for you to expand on that answer,” Kacie said after giving me a few minutes to process my thoughts.
A sigh heaved from my chest. Might as well get this over with so we could go back to drinking the rest of the supplies Devin left us. “We dated,” was my way of spilling the beans.
“No effing way!” Kari blurted out. Kacie seemed to already assume that fact; I’m sure Kari would have guessed it already too, if it wouldn’t have been for the countless bottles of wine swimming around in our stomachs.
“Yep, okay—who’s up for another drink??” I asked with enthusiasm, desperate to end the conversation right here.
Kari raised her empty wine glass, but Kacie pointed at the table for her to replace it. At least I was under no illusions that our conversation about this was over.
“How long did you date for and when?”
Easy, harmless question, I could handle this! “We dated in high school for a year.” Okay, so maybe I’m leaving out the whole ‘we got married’ thing.
“What happened to your relationship?” This one wasn’t quite as easy as I hoped but maybe, a little trick with the wording and all further questions would be avoided.
“Well, we stopped dating.” Oh yeah—that would make her curiosity fade away. Even I was getting irritated with my own responses.
“Did he break up with you?” Kari placed a hand on my arm; pity filled her eyes and I just couldn’t take it. Obviously they would immediately jump to the conclusion that this sexy billionaire would end things with me. Which would leave them thinking I was a scorned woman with a broken heart—if only! Maybe I wouldn’t be simply going through the motions of having a life—perhaps I would actually be living if that were the case.
I had Richard and a life to be proud of, but I couldn’t silence the thoughts of agony and despair. Especially after I’ve had one too many drinks.
“No, he did not,” I replied, sitting a little taller and finally not afraid to meet their eyes. Amy did say it was time to tell someone; well, here goes nothing. “After we dated for a year we got married and then after a little bit of time passed we got a divorce. Well, I should say that I asked for a divorce.”
This time I could tell neither of them were expecting that answer. Both sat with their jaws dropped open wide, unable to respond.
“There, now can we have another drink?” I didn’t wait for either of them to respond before I got up and went to the fridge for the next and unfortunately last bottle. There wasn’t even a point to screw around with a glass, since reliving this was making me need to forget it all.
“You’re not being serious,” Kacie said, still in awe.
“Yes Kace, I am. Now, if you don’t mind I’d really enjoy it if we could stop talking about this.”
For some reason they lis
tened, and even though I could practically hear their thoughts screaming at me, they held back all questions. I wasn’t trying to be a bitch about it, but I knew at some point I would have to go home to my fiancé and I didn’t want to be an emotional wreck. The last thing I needed was to blurt out something while drunk that I avoided at all costs sober.
Eventually I got a frantic call from Richard asking me where I was. Apparently I had completely forgotten to tell him that not only was my car not working, but that I wasn’t home. Before I could suggest another plan for the evening, he was in his car on the way to pick me up. For my own good, I began viciously chugging glasses of water and made my way out to meet him. I sank down into the front seat, and while he scolded me for not telling him where I was, I tried not to get sick in his car.
When we got home I convinced him I didn’t need to be taken care of so he could shower. Truthfully, I needed just a few more minutes to unwind before I went to bed. Going to sleep next to my fiancé with my thoughts dwelling on my ex was the worst thing I could do. I hopped up onto the counter next to the sink with a glass that I filled with cold water.
I casually checked my social media, not really paying much attention, when a text from a number I didn’t recognize came in. My eyes darted around the room; I’m not sure if I was actually expecting to find someone standing there staring at me with a phone in their hands. Or if I was trying to make sure Richard wasn’t there watching before I opened the message.
Unknown Number: So why did you take a cab today? You know it isn’t wise to trust the cab drivers in the city. You should have a car of your own—much safer.
After reading it a dozen times I still couldn’t believe it. There was no question as to who the sender was, but the question of how he got my number echoed around my head. Not just that, but why my heart fluttered at the realization that right now—I was on his mind. My gut instinct told me to delete it and go to sleep, but I couldn’t just ignore it. Before I knew it my thumbs were flying across the keys and pressing send.
Me: How did you get my number, Creeper? And I do have a car, thank you very much!
The water from the shower shut off and I felt my heart race. My pulse beat in my ears as I strained to listen for any sign that Richard was going to turn the corner and see my extremely sketchy demeanor. It was during those moments of silence that my phone vibrated and nearly gave me a heart attack. Before my churning stomach even recovered, I was reading Stefan’s reply.
Unknown Number: I have unlimited resources, Greyson Rose, and trust me if you were going to have someone stalk you, it’s better that it’s me. So why didn’t you drive it? Would it have taken too much time away from yelling at me if you had to park first? ; )
My lips smirked up before I could control it. I glanced around and didn’t see Richard, so I responded instantly.
Me: Oh really, why on earth would I want you as my stalker? Yes—that was valuable yelling time I would have lost if I had to find parking at that time of day. Not to mention my car’s dead.
The moment I pressed send I heard my name and I immediately jumped.
“Grey darling, are you coming to bed?”
“Um, yes honey, just drinking some water. Can I get you anything?”
“Bring me a glass when you come to bed too, okay, honey?” I nodded even though he couldn’t see me; my eyes darting incessantly toward my phone, waiting for my next response.
“Of course, be there in a minute.”
Richard replied but my phone buzzed at the same time and that was the only thing I heard.
Unknown Number: Tsk tsk tsk…You should get that fixed.
Me: I’m taking care of it.
I filled up my glass once more to take into the room. Just as I finished my phone chirped again.
Unknown Number: And in response to your other question—you should want me as a stalker because I will always make sure you are safe. Nothing would ever happen to you with me around.
The butterflies in my gut did a somersault. I couldn’t hear this right now. I’m supposed to hate Stefan for everything he did and even more—everything he didn’t. It was time to stop this conversation and get my head out of the clouds.
Me: You don’t have to worry about me. Not only can I take care of myself, but my fiancé will keep me safe.
With that I slipped my phone into my pocket and took the glass into the bedroom. Richard was already lying in bed, reading the same book he had been for months. As I entered, he looked up and smiled at me.
“Thank you, baby,” he said, reaching for the glass. Our lips touched in a soft peck before I headed to the dresser to change and he went back to his book. When I took my phone out of my pocket, I couldn’t help but notice the blinking indicator of another message. Despite everything telling me to ignore it—I couldn’t.
That one last text brought a tear to my eye and made me feel sick to my stomach. Not because of what was said, but the way that it made me feel.
Unknown Number: I don’t have to but I always will. I meant what I said, you will always be important to me, and I will always protect you.
I knew right then and there that I needed to cut all contact with Stefan once and for all. I had moved on, and it was time to face the reality that Stefan was my past and Richard was my future.
Sometime around 8:00 the next morning I felt Richard give me a kiss goodbye. In my half-asleep state, I asked where he was going and learned he had a meeting. I tried getting out of bed to walk him to the door, but he insisted I go back to sleep—that was the last thing I remembered. Well, at least I tried to be the good fiancée for a few minutes. But the traces of a hangover were oncoming, and sleep was the only thing that would kill that.
Beep…beep….beep…
I tried to shush the annoying noises surrounding me, but once again they rang out. The sounds were coming from outside, so naturally I rolled to my side with my back facing the window. Not only did the sounds persist, but two different male voices traveled up to my ears. Shoving Richard’s pillow over my head helped—for about two seconds—before I gave up. My legs flew from the bed and stomped to the window, ready to yell down at whoever was making such a racket. That was when I saw the cause of the noise—not only was it two dirty looking men hooking up a car to their tow truck—it was my car!
It didn’t matter that my hair was tied in a messy bun at the top of my head or that my cotton pajama shorts and tank top were practically see through, I ran out of the house and charged for them. The two were joking and laughing about something until the pudgier of the two saw me storming towards them. He paled as if he saw a ghost, while the other continued the story about his night without realizing the change in demeanor of his partner in crime.
“What in the hell do you think you are doing?!” I barked out, my hands thrust onto my hips, giving my anger a bigger boost behind it.
The gangly one finally looked over and stared at me with his mouth hanging wide, not even reacting when the cigarette slipped from his lips.
“This is my car!” I yelled out since neither knew how to speak suddenly.
“Uh, yes ma’am,” the bigger of the two mumbled out.
My eyes rolled and my hand motioned to the truck. “So why are you taking it? It isn’t illegally parked, this is my house and I always park here! So why don’t you tell me what the issue is and what you are doing!”
They exchanged a glance and all at once both started talking. Words came out, not sentences, just random babbling; all while their eyes moved from my bare hips to my chest and back to my face.
“Stop, I don’t understand what you’re saying.” The smoker cleared his throat and stepped forward.
“We were just taking it to our shop to fix it, ma’am.”
Pudgy pointed at him and nodded. “Yeah, we were going to bring it right back.”
I threw my head back in a dry, sarcastic laugh. “Oh sure, right, why wouldn’t I believe that?! Now unhook my car and get out of here. If I ever see you on my property again I
will call the police.”
I turned to leave but was immediately stopped. “Wait!”
“What?”
“We were sent here on a job to pick up the car, return it to our auto shop and get it fixed up for you.” His words hurried out as if I was about to pounce with my claws and start tearing them to shreds.
“Who on Earth would tell you to do that?” Half way through asking I knew the answer. Why I didn’t guess it sooner was beyond me.
“Man named Stefan Harrison.”
“Best client we have,” Pudgy chimed in.
A sigh escaped my chest, already taking away the fight I had just moments before. “Get him on the phone for me,” I commanded.
Once more they exchanged glances before looking at me with caution in their eyes. “Well, we…”
I held off a hand to cut them off. “Call him, right now.” My hand flipped around and extended out for them to grab hold of it. Pudgy looked to Smoker as he put a hand on the front pocket of his shirt where the bulge of his phone sat. Smoker glanced at me and then gave a single nod, as if telling him to proceed.
He gave in, pulled it out and searched his contacts. I watched him hit send and cast a look to me before handing his phone over with a grunt. I pressed it against my ear and seconds later the undeniable voice of Stefan echoed in my head.
“Harrison,” he bellowed out in a tone that I was foreign to.
“Desmond,” I replied.
A soft deep chuckle softened the harsh sound that just filled my ear. “How are you doing this morning, Greyson Rose?”
“Why are you having my car towed?”
Stefan made a clicking sound with his tongue of disapproval. “Did they not explain it to you?”
“You can’t just have my car taken into a shop without my knowledge.”
“Your car isn’t working, and I had a feeling you weren’t going to get it taken care of. Just let them bring it in. I’ll make sure it is fixed, paid for and returned to you safe and sound.” I looked over to my 2009 yellow VW Bug and I knew she needed some work. This car was my baby, and I hated how awful I had been on keeping up the maintenance. So sad to say there was a part of me that wanted to just let them take her and fix her up, but I couldn’t just let Stefan control this.
