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She steps away. “And the other times?”
“I think it was different people. The guy at the gas station had longer, lighter hair. This guy’s hair was dark and buzzed short on the sides.”
“Maybe Noah’s right. You should get a gun.”
“I’m not getting a gun,” I state. “I don’t know anything about them, and I’d likely panic and shoot myself or someone who isn’t deserving of being shot. Guns scare me.”
“They scare a lot of people, which is why you should have one to scare these fucking guys away. What if you were far from home and he cornered you in an alley or something? Jesus, Mariella, I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”
I grab her hand and squeeze, giving her a small smile. “I’m gonna be okay. I think I’m just paranoid after what happened with Theo.”
She rolls her green eyes. “That asshole definitely deserves to be shot.”
Autumn never liked my ex-boyfriend, but she tried to tolerate him through our six-month relationship. However, it turns out she had reason to hate him, and I was blinded by love. Or lust. Theo was a decent lover, but apparently I wasn’t his only one. He had been cheating on me almost the entire time we were together, and when I found out, he blew up and tried blaming me. He harassed me with late-night phone calls that switched from hate-filled words to tearful pleas to take him back. Theo sent flowers to my apartment, which didn’t feel romantic when it was paired with a note that said,Don’t be stupid.
He popped up at random times in different places, leading me to believe he was following me. However, it’s been a couple months and I think he’s finally given up.
Noah struts toward us, running a hand through his caramel-colored hair. “I saw him turn down an alley and by the time I got to the end, there was a black car driving away. Sorry, Ella.”
I give him a smile. “It’s okay.”
“Wanna grab some coffee and donuts before we go home?”
Autumn and I answer at the same time. “Yes!”
“Come on, ladies,” Noah replies with a grin, wrapping an arm around each of our shoulders and walking us into Sweetpea.
The three of us met during our second year at Clover City University, and once we graduated we were just a group of desperate twenty-three year olds in need of help to pay rent in a decent place. It was an easy decision to move in together in the town of Luzington, about forty minutes by train from Clover City, which holds most of the population. It’s cheaper and quite a bit smaller in Luzington.
We all work in the city. Noah is starting out his career in software development. Autumn works at Ace’s High Hotel and Casino as part of the event planning team, so she gets to help with weddings and other celebrations people want to have in that particular hotel. I, myself, wasted years trying to get a degree in finance, only to realize I didn’t want anything to do with it.
I’ve recently started culinary school, and to pay my bills in the meantime, I secured a job as a cocktail server in Ace’s High. I also work part time in one of the restaurants as a hostess. I’m hoping to work my way back to the kitchen to learn from the chefs. As long as I continue my education and build relationships within the restaurant, I’m hoping to be able to easily transition into working in the kitchen.
Inside Sweetpea, Noah orders us our usual as Autumn and I find a table near the window. They once again tell me I should look into getting a gun, but when I protest, they suggest at least getting a taser. Which I agree to.
As I’m finishing my coffee, Autumn runs to the bathroom, and Noah gets another box of donuts to go. I turn to look out the window and see the same man from earlier across the street. He’s watching me from between two buildings. He brings his finger to his lips in ashhhgesture before putting his hands in the pockets of his jacket. With a slight movement, likely done on purpose, his jacket opens up and I see a flash of a holster at his side.
He’s threatening me.
ChapterTwo
When I get off the train in Clover, I turn on my music, choosing to only have one of my earbuds in so I can still be aware of my surroundings. The walk to the casino is almost fifteen minutes, but I slip in behind a group of coeds who are decked out in SPU shirts and hats; I’m hoping people assume I’m with them, even though I’m in a black dress and free of any college apparel.
I haven’t noticed anyone following me from Luzington, and I’m much more conscious of everyone around me now. After we left Sweetpea yesterday, we went and got a taser which is now taking up permanent residence in my purse.
Last night, I did something I never thought I’d do and went through Theo’s friends list on his social media accounts to see if any of his friends looked similar to the guy from yesterday. Maybe he’s behind this, but it seems like too much even for him. Fortunately—or maybe unfortunately—I didn’t recognize anyone.
About five minutes from the casino, the group turns off and it only takes a minute for me to notice someone walking really closely behind me.
I glance behind me and see a man nearly touching my shoulder with his arm, his gaze is straight ahead, but it still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It’s not necessary for him to be this close to me, especially when there’s plenty of room on the sidewalk.
He doesn’t appear to be the same guy from yesterday, but I don’t stare long enough to know for sure. Instead, I slow my pace and move to the right, stopping near a building where I pretend to tie my already tied shoelace. My eyes remain on the man who never looks back. I’m officially losing my mind.
With a huff, I stand up and make my way to the casino. Once inside, I move behind the bar and slip out of my tennis shoes and into my pumps.
“Hey, mama. How’s it going?” Lynette asks as I stash my belongings in a cabinet.
“It’s going. How’re the customers today?” I reply, clocking in on the computer.
