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Elle held up a hand. “I don’t want to hear your apologies. You’re there for us, and we’re here for you. You don’t deserve this.”
“No one does. This guy stepped over a line.” Gray’s jaw tightened. I appreciated his support, but I wished that Sam was here.
I pulled out my phone, not seeing another text from Jace. We hadn’t blocked Jace’s number yet because we needed to show it to the police.
At the station, I let Elle take the lead. They took us into a conference room where they noted the information, our relationship, the video, and the current communication. When we were finished, the officer said, “We can write a report, but we don’t have much to go on.”
“This guy can’t get away with harassing her,” Gray said through clenched teeth.
“I’ll check into this number and see if we can trace it.”
“I appreciate it.” Like last time, I felt helpless. As if there wasn’t any way I could stop him from posting whatever he wanted of me online. I felt exposed, vulnerable. The urge to hide was so strong. But now I had a job and a little girl who depended on me.
Outside the station, Elle asked what I was going to do.
I shrugged, feeling off-kilter. “Go back to work. Hope nothing comes of it.”
“At least we have it on record in case he tries something again,” Gray said.
“I feel better that we’re not standing by, not doing anything,” Elle said.
“Should I confront him?” Go to California and track him down. Tell him I wouldn’t take his crap anymore.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Gray said.
I knew he wanted to protect me, but I didn’t want to stand by and do nothing.
My life was falling apart around me, and the one person who was supposed to be there for me was noticeably absent. He didn’t know what was going on, but then he hadn’t bothered to check in either. I had no idea what that meant.
And I wondered if it wouldn’t be better for me to stay away from Sam and Maggie until it blew over.
CHAPTER25
SAM
It had been the longest weekend. I was relieved when Felicia left for her flight home.
“When is Miss Alice coming back?” Maggie asked for the millionth time.
“I’m not sure.” I’d gotten a few messages over the weekend, but I was too busy monitoring Felicia’s interactions with Maggie to respond. I’d wanted to go to the workshop, but Felicia said I could go, but I couldn’t take Maggie. I didn’t want to leave them alone.
I checked my phone, and there was a recent message from Alice saying she had something to take care of. “Looks like she’ll be back late tonight.”
Maggie’s lip protruded.
“Hey. No pouting. Let’s make popcorn and watch a movie.” I wasn’t capable of entertaining Maggie when I was worried about Alice. What did she need to take care of? Had something happened?
Last night, I met with Felicia after Maggie went to bed, and told her we needed a formal agreement. She couldn’t just show up when she wanted and dictate the entire visit. It wasn’t fair to me or Maggie.
I’d let her be in control for too long. I was the primary parent, and I decided what was best for Maggie until such a time that Felicia was able to modify our arrangement with a judge. I’d taken the risk that she wouldn’t take it that far. That she liked things how they were, where she wasn’t paying any child support. She was a doctor now, and I was positive her salary was significant. But I didn’t want it. I just wanted Maggie.
I wanted to live our lives. And I wanted Alice back.
Felicia was irritated, saying what we’d been doing was working. It might have been working for her, but it wasn’t for me. She mentioned an increase in shifts at the hospital and a boyfriend. I got the impression she didn’t want to be flying across the country every other weekend. But that wasn’t my problem. She was the one who’d moved away and stayed gone.
The movie ended, and I did the bedtime routine, keeping one ear on the door in case Alice came back. I tucked Maggie in and read her a couple of books. I checked my phone at Maggie’s request, but I hadn’t heard anything else.
I tried to stay up as long as I could, but I was tired from the strain of having Felicia in my house all weekend. Plus, I had an early morning tomorrow. Finally, I messaged Alice to say I was going to bed, and I hoped everything was okay. Surely, she’d let me know if she needed me or if there was an emergency.
