Page 81 of Faking the Goal

And he's pissed.

That's becoming clearer with every message I refuse to answer.

My phone vibrates again, and despite knowing I shouldn't encourage this shit by reading any of it, my thumb is already opening the message beneath the table.

UNKNOWN

Answer me!

UNKNOWN

I know you're reading these.

UNKNOWN

Are you testing my patience, Kitten?

UNKNOWN

You think you can escape me?

UNKNOWN

Wherever you are, I will find you.

My fingers turn clammy around the phone.

Fuck.

This is exactly what I was trying to get away from. I spent a painful chunk of my savings moving because I thought a new address would finally give me some peace. No more wondering what I'd find outside my door. No more packages. No more flowers. No more lying in bed thinking about all those promises that he'd be seeing me soon and wondering whether tonight would finally be the night he showed up.

For three whole days, I actually felt safer.

Now that tiny bit of peace is gone. But at least he doesn't know where I am anymore, and judging by how desperately he keeps asking, he hasn't figured it out yet.

That's something, right?

"Taylor."

"Hmm?"

I finally look up and realize Polly is staring at me from across the table. So is everyone else.

"Are we boring you?"

Shit.

"Sorry." I tuck my phone under my thigh and give her an apologetic smile. "Mentally left the building for a second. I'm back."

Her expression says she's thrilled.

"Your update?"

"Right." I sit straighter and shove my phone beneath my thigh before I can make the mistake of checking it again. "We are right on schedule. We've finished the preliminary interviews, I've already gotten most of the background material I need, and I've been documenting parts of his regular training routine over the last few weeks."

Polly's expression barely changes, but I know her well enough to notice the slight tightening around her mouth.

"This week I have the final sit-down interview scheduled with him, and we're doing the main photo shoot afterward. Once those are done, I'll have everything I need to finish the first draft."