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If the stress doesn’t wipe Hayes out before our stalker even can.
It’s Cam’s day to open the bar, which means it’s Hayes’s day to close it. On the weekends, they do both together, but on the weekdays, one of them can usually cover it. Plus, they have Riley to help most nights.
I go downstairs and find Cam and Mali in the kitchen. “Where’s H?”
“He went out to grab more milk,” Mali answers. “He told us not to wake you.”
Of course he did. He’s always worried about everyone else, but never himself. It’s something I love about him…when it doesn’t put him in jeopardy. I look at my brother and know I’m taking a risk by even bringing this up, but it’s the only thing I can think of to save Hayes.
“I’m worried about him,” I admit.
They both turn to look at me and it’s Cam who answers. “Worried abouthim? Why?”
I shrug. “He’s not sleeping. He’s trying to take on everything. The bar, figuring out who is behind all of this, protecting me, and making sure his mom is okay. It’s just too much.”
Cam doesn’t seem like it’s a big deal. “Nah, Hayes is used to only a few hours a night at this point.”
“No, you’re not listening,” I tell him. “He’s not sleepingat all.”
Nowthatstarts to get through to him. “Not even for an hour or two?”
“No.” I press my lips together to keep my composure, overwhelmed by how concerned I am about him. “I tried to talk to him about it, but he told me not to worry my pretty little head about it. That he’s okay. But I know better than that.”
Mali comes over and holds me while Cam runs his fingers through his hair. “I could try talking to him. See if he’ll tell me what’s up.”
I shake my head. “It won’t work.”
“She’s right,” Mali agrees. “If he’s telling her she’s okay, he’s just going to do the same thing to you. You’re both stubborn asses.”
His shoulders sag as he realizes we have a point. “Okay, then what do we do? It’s not like we can drug him to sleep.”
I look down at my lap. “I actually have an idea, but you’re not going to like it.”
“What else is new?” Cam drawls. “Let me hear it, I guess.”
Glancing up at Mali, she nods. I already ran the idea by her yesterday, and while she thinks I’m insane, she agrees that I do have a point.
“I need to try meeting up with them alone.”
A bark of laugher shoots out of Cam’s mouth. “Absolutely not. Are you trying to get yourself fucking killed?”
I roll my eyes. “Just hear me out.”
“I don’t need to hear you out! The answer is no.”
“Cam,” Mali says.
She’s the only person that can get him to stop and listen. No one else stands a chance at controlling him, but she always has a way, which is why I needed her here for this.
“All she wants you to do is listen,” she tells him.
He doesn’t look happy about it, at all really, but he gives in. Leaning against the counter, he crosses his arms over his chest and looks at me expectantly. “Go ahead.”
“Think about it,” I begin. “There is only one of us that gets this asshole anywhere near us. Everything else is hidden behind text messages and done in the middle of the night. But they underestimate me. My car. The motel room. I’m the only one who gets close enough to figure out who this is, and it only happens when I’m alone.”
He chews on the inside of his cheek as he processes my words. “Lai, this fucker is always one step ahead. What if they know it’s a trap? You’re risking your life here.”
“But I won’t be if you and Mali have eyes on me at all times,” I reason. “Cam, he can’t keep going like this. He’ll make himself sick, or worse. It’s not safe.”
