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Once I compose myself, I drop my towel, pull my underwear over my hips, then walk to my dresser, grabbing the bra I’d dropped when Max barged into my room. Heading toward my closet, I grab a navy t-shirt dress and pull it over my head.
Grabbing my cell phone, I put it on speakerphone, dialing Vanessa as I move into my bathroom to comb through my curls. Worry courses through me when she answers, her voice subdued.
“How are you and Josh?” Squeezing a dollop of styling product in my hands, I run it through my hair as I listen to her.
“He’s doing better since we arrived at our grandparents.” I hear a door shut and the sounds of birds chirping as she moves outside. “But Irelynn, he was so full of rage, then despair, when I first picked him up. I had no idea how to handle him.”
“Oh, Vanessa.” I’m instantly somber, my heart aching for her. “It’s such an awful situation. Can he stay at your grandparents’ for a while?” Opening my bedroom door, I head toward the living room.
“That’s what is going to happen, whether my parents like it or not. Well, my mom, mostly, since my dad moved out. When Josh got here, he broke like a dam. Everything he’s been enduring came out in a rush. My grandparents were shocked—and furious—and so was I.” She pauses, clearing her throat. “I need to make sure he’s doing okay before I leave. Is it okay if I don’t return until Monday? I hate to leave you alone all weekend. I was hoping to return today… but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Swallowing hard, I pause for a long moment. Running a hand through my damp hair, I find myself finally croaking out, “Of course, Vanessa. Whatever you need to do.”
Max’s stare is burning a hole into me, his brows lowered, and I realize I have Vanessa on speakerphone, and he can hear her.
She lets out a sigh. “I’m sorry, girl. I had no intention of abandoning you this weekend.”
“I know, Vanessa. It’s not your fault. Life happens.” I pace across the room, saying what she needs to hear right now. “It’s fine.” There’s a false smile on my lips that she can’t see, but I hope it’s translating through the phone. Vanessa needs to be with her family right now.
I can’t tell her about William. Not right now. Not until she returns to Lockwood.
It’s not her fault my narcissistic stalker has interrupted my life to terrorize me again.
Vanessa releases a long sigh. “I promise I’ll make it up to you when I get home, girl. Thanks for understanding. I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know.”
Tears prickle behind my eyelids. That’s the important thing—Vanessa and I support one another, pushing our own desires and needs aside when the need arises. I know Vanessa will be pissed that I didn’t tell her about William’s return. But if I do, I know she’ll want to rush home. While her grandparents are capable people, they are also older and not in the best physical health.What if Josh would have a breakdown?I can hear the fear in Vanessa’s shaky voice, and I know her well enough to know she is really scared for him.
“No worries, bestie. It’s what we do.” I pace to the other end of the room, toward the kitchen, my eyes gazing out the window. “I love you, V.”
I hear her sniff as she says, “I love you, best bitch forever.”
My lips twitch and I release a soft giggle when she says that. After a party one night, Vanessa slung her arm around me and called me her best bitch forever as I helped her to our apartment. It’s been a long-standing nickname ever since.
As if he can’t take it anymore, Max stands up, walking over to me. His tone is full of anger as he raises his brows and says, “You’re going to be alonetoday,and possibly againtonight?”
Oh shit.Closing my eyes, I brace for Vanessa’s outburst.
“Who is that?”I can hear the curiosity and an undercurrent of anger in Vanessa’s tone. “Why are you holding out on me, girl? What have you beendoingwhile I’ve been gone?”
“Nothing, Vanessa.” I release a long sigh. “I’ll tell you when you return.”
Her tone perks up. “You better tell me everything. Breakfast before class tomorrow morning?”
“Sure.” I avoid looking at Max, knowing he’s pissed since I feel his anger radiating off him as I pace the room. “Take care of Josh.”
“Thanks, girl. I will…” She pauses. “And have fun, doing whatever it is you’re doing. Or who you are doing.” Her mischievous laugh comes through the phone.
“Bye V.” Rolling my eyes, I end the call, not giving her a chance to say anything else. I release a long groan, knowing she will interrogate me like an attorney when I see her.
“Sorry I made my presence known, but we need to discuss this.” He moves behind me, his scent swirling in the air. “When is she coming home?”
Sighing, I turn around, facing him. “Tomorrow morning. She doesn’t have class until tomorrow afternoon.”
“But you have a stalker…” His voice trails off, lips pulling into a frown. “Wait, you didn’t tell her, did you?” His nostrils flare, his legs planted wide as his hands move to his hips.
Oh shit. He’s pissed at me. “Um, no, but Max, she’s dealing with a family crisis. If I tell her, she’s going to want to leave. But Josh isn’t mentally stable right now, and if something were to happen, I don’t know if her grandparents are well enough to handle it…” My words rush out, my eyes imploring him to understand.
He softens, his hands moving from his hips. “You’re risking your safety because you don’t want your friend to worry about you and return home?” Max looks slightly bewildered as he gives a slow, disbelieving shake of his head.
