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“Why didn’t you let me kiss you when I wanted to give you your graduation gift?”
Vaughn pulls back, meeting my eyes. He takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Paisley, I knew that if I kissed you I’d never leave for college. I’d never want to let you go. I knew I was no good for you.”
I cup his cheeks. “How could you ever think you’re no good for me?”
He shrugs. “Pea, you deserve the world.”
“Listen to me. I don’t want the world. I only want you.” I kiss him, letting him know that my words are true.
Chills skate across my skin, and I’m ready to tell him three little words that have been wanting to burst out for so long, but the moment is ruined when my phone rings in my pocket.
Vaughn steps away before I can tell him to ignore it. “Who’s calling you this late?”
I pull my phone out of my pocket. “Blocked number.” And my heart drops.
Because I know who it is.
Vaughn grabs the phone from me and answers. Hello,” he says into the phone. “Caller hung up.” He hands the phone back.
“Let’s head home.” I no longer feel safe being out in the open.
We make our way back to Vaughn’s truck and both his back tires are slashed. “Motherfucker,” he says.
“This is all my fault.” I feel the heaviness of the situation crash down all around me. Everyone’s being affected because someone has a problem with me.
I’m done playing the victim.
“No, you’re not allowed to blame yourself for this sick fuck.”
I can feel the tears wetting my cheeks. “I won’t let him continue to harass us any longer.” I won’t. This is over.
It ends tonight.
Vaughn wraps his arms around me and pulls out his phone, placing a call to Spencer and then to a tow truck. We sit on the curb, waiting, and I’m too afraid to even speak up right now.
I know Vaughn’s upset. About his truck, his business, this asshole harassing us. I mean, I’m upset too, but for some reason I can’t seem to direct the anger at the stalker. Instead it’s all directed at me.
Why haven’t I taken matters into my own hands yet? The asshole is after me. Why can’t I do something about it? Draw him in somehow.
My mind tries its best to formulate a plot. A plan. A course of action that will end this once and for all.
I’ve literally paced my tiny little room a billion times. Yes, a billion. Ok, maybe I mean figuratively but still. I feel like I’m right on the verge of a breakthrough but can’t quite put my finger on it.
I’ve got it. I need peas to figure this out.
Did you know peas are good brain food? Yes, they help improve memory. Did you know that peas have the same chemical compound that chocolate has that makes you feel good? It’s true, look it up. Peas really are underrated.
I rush into the kitchen, grabbing a bag of frozen peas and popping them into the microwave.
I shovel the superfood into my mouth, trying my best to figure things out. There has to be a clue I’m missing.
Then, it hits me.
I grab my purse and haul butt out the door.
I have a small plan that just might actually work.
There’s one thing that’s been bugging me since the day it happened. Something that has weighed heavily in the back of my mind, almost dipping into my subconscious.
It’s something I never thought about back then, but the more I think about it, the more I know I’m right.
I pull my car away from the driveway, hoping the engine starting doesn’t wake anyone.
Spencer and Vaughn left my house over an hour ago, and it hurts me that Vaughn’s truck was vandalized because of me.
I head downtown, making my way to the Groove nightclub after texting a certain person to meet me there.
I should tell someone where I’m going, and my mind immediately thinks of Vaughn. But, I don’t want to worry him. Actually, I know the moment I tell him what I’m up to, he’ll show up and ruin everything.
I need to handle this with finesse and care. I know I can handle it.
Instead, I text Gwen, telling her I’m meeting friends at the Groove, if she wants to come along. I park my car in the lot of the club, and take a deep breath, fixing my hair in the vanity mirror.
And then I do it. I head into the club with all the confidence I can muster. Even though I don’t feel very confident at all.
My eyes scan the club, spotting the tall redhead right away.
“Jackie, thank you for meeting me.”
She smiles, her red hair shining bright and her eyes heavily made up with a little bit too much eye makeup. “Of course. I love hanging out.” She turns from me and heads toward the bar and I follow her.
