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We fell asleep like that, tangled up in each other, completely forgetting that there was a whole other world outside my bedroom that we would have to eventually face when we woke up.
Chapter 13: Andrea
“We’re fine.”
Andy’s voice startled me, and I almost spilled the coffee I was holding in my hand.
The coffee shop was busy, which was one of the reasons why Andy had asked Bobby to meet us here. A lot of people, less chance Dennis would try anything stupid. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was out there, watching us, waiting for a chance to strike. I knew Dennis. He rarely let an audience get in between him and what he wanted.
I put my coffee down and bit my lip. I grabbed the tissue next to me and started to play with it, twisting and turning it in my hands until Andy reached over and grabbed my hands in his. He squeezed gently and looked me in the eye.
“We’re fine,” he said again.
I wanted to believe him. After last night, falling asleep in his arms feeling like I had been able to wash away all my worries, I really wanted to believe him. I had woken up that morning with the widest smile on my face, ready to take on the world with vigor until I remembered what leaving the apartment entailed. I had been quiet during breakfast, while Andy and Bobby talked on the phone and decided on what to do next, and on the drive here. I had called Jane to let her know I wouldn’t be coming in, but I wanted nothing more than to do just that. I wanted the life I had started to enjoy these last few days. I wanted to feel safe again.
“He’s out there, somewhere,” I said. “I don’t like this, Andy. I had stopped worrying about looking over my shoulder wherever I went.”
“It’s okay,” Andy squeezed my hand again. “You’re okay. You’re still safe. He’s not going to do anything with all these people around us.”
“You don’t know him like I do,” I said, shaking my head. “He won’t care if we were sitting in the middle of a sold-out football stadium. When he wants something, he’s like a raging bull.”
“Good,” Andy said.
“How is that good?”
“I like a challenge,” he joked.
“This isn’t funny.”
“I’m not trying to be funny,” he smiled. “I just want you to relax. Enjoy the coffee, eat something, and let’s take this step by step, okay?”
I wish.
I looked out the window, scanning the faces that walked past the window for any sign of Dennis. With every car that passed by, I flinched a little, half expecting it to be him. I imagined him parking and jumping out, coming at us with a tire iron, ready to wreak havoc.
I only calmed down when I saw Bobby’s truck pull up next to Andy’s Nissan. My brother quickly jumped out, looked around and then made his way into the coffee shop. Andy gestured him over, and he slipped into the booth beside me, instantly hugging me.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, and I shook my head quickly, letting him know that I wasn’t angry anymore. I felt tears well up in my eyes, and I hugged him harder.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m getting asked that a lot lately,” I said, trying to smile.
“I bet,” he said, briefly looking at Andy. “Any problems getting here?”
“We wouldn’t be here if there had been,” Andy said. “So far so good.”
Bobby nodded. “Dennis showed up at the house yesterday.”
“Oh God,” I sighed.
“It’s okay, I took Andy’s advice and ignored him,” Bobby said. “Didn’t make him happy, though. He took it out on the porch swing. Broke it into pieces. I was this close to going out there and beating him with what was left.”
“Good thing you didn’t,” Andy said.
“Yeah,” Bobby sighed. “I called the police, got in touch with Jeremy. He’s got Dennis’s description, and they’ll pick him up if they find him. I think the bastard’s going to be careful now.”
“Let’s hope so,” Andy said.
