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“Huh,” he murmured to himself and stood.
“What’s up?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just that guy over there.”
Stephen followed his gaze, eyes narrowing. “The Rockies ball cap and black T-shirt?”
“Yeah.”
Stephen grinned at him. “Another ex?”
“You’re not as funny as you think you are,” Ehren warned, though it might not have been all that impressive, thanks to his silly grin. “I swear I saw him at the grocery on Saturday, and then I thought I saw him when I stopped to grab some coffee this morning at a shop around the corner from my place.”
“You’re out of Turkish coffee already?”
“No, I didn’t need the coffee, but I did need the orange scone,” he replied, but Stephen didn’t smile. His eyes were on the guy who seemed to be looking everywhere but in their direction. Something about this made the hair on his neck stand up. Prior to Saturday, he’d never seen this person before, but now he’d seen him three times.
“I don’t like it,” Stephen grumbled. “Let’s exit from the other side.”
Ehren was in complete agreement. He didn’t know if this was linked to the robbery or something else, but the man’s presence felt sinister. He turned to his right and led the way out of the aisle. It was hard not to stare at the man to see if he was watching or even crossing over to intercept them.
“He’s watching you,” Stephen whispered in his ear as they started to descend the stairs to the main level with the concessions and the ticketing area. “Stick to the crowds no matter what. We may be able to lose him with the crowd.”
It was a shame they’d not been there for a concert. The swell of people would have been huge, so much easier to escape in. Ehren kept his head down, grateful for the first time in his life that he was only five ten. Stephen, unfortunately, stood over six foot, making him more visible. He couldn’t think about that. For now, he clung to Stephen’s hand as they steadily wove their way through the throng, working toward the main stairs to disappear into the park.
“This way,” Stephen suddenly said, pulling him in the opposite direction.
Ehren didn’t question it. He pivoted on the balls of his feet and followed Stephen up another set of stairs, leading him to the other side of the venue.
“You’ve been here before?” Ehren called to his companion.
Stephen flashed him a quick, tense smile. “At least a few times a year. Great place for a concert.”
They paused behind a wall, Ehren breathing heavily into Stephen’s back as the man peered around the corner. Stopping only gave Ehren time to think. Someone was watching him, following him. That didn’t make any fucking sense. He was no one. He edited books for publishers and did translations of fiction novels. It wasn’t like he was a translator for a foreign dignitary or had access to some critical secrets.
But was it strange that this all happened at the same time that he’d met Stephen?
He was trusting this guy he knew nothing about with his life. What if this was all a ploy to get him to trust Stephen, let him close, so these people could get whatever they wanted from him?
“Ehren, you okay?”
His head jerked up to find Stephen’s worried gaze locked on his face. His concern seemed genuine to him. Ehren swallowed hard, trying to get his breathing to even out. “Yeah, just a little shaken.”
Stephen frowned, not looking convinced, which made Ehren’s heart hammer even harder. Did he not believe him? Could he trust Stephen? God, he wanted to trust him so bad. Stephen couldn’t be in on this insanity as well. He was a nice person. Sweet, caring, compassionate. This all couldn’t be an act.
“I think we should tell the police. I don’t like this at all. I need you to be safe,” Stephen murmured.
Ehren almost wept with relief. He pressed his forehead to Stephen’s shoulder to hide the tears in his eyes and nodded. If Stephen was in on this nonsense, he wouldn’t have suggested going to the police. That would have made his plan that much more complicated, right? No, Stephen was exactly what he appeared to be—a good guy trying to keep him safe.
Turning to face him, Stephen brushed a kiss to Ehren’s temple. “Let’s head toward the entrance. I saw a cop standing near there. We can tell him what’s going on and at least have an officer walk us to the car. I think that will make us both feel safer.”
“Thank you,” Ehren murmured.
“No thanks needed. Your safety is my main concern.” Tightening his hand around Ehren’s, Stephen led them to the nearest entrance where he calmly explained to an officer about the break-in to Ehren’s condo on Friday night and the sightings of the man in the ball cap.
