Page 27 of Stalked by His Ex

Finally, I’m calm enough to relax on my bed, ready for this day to be over. My eyes grow heavy and I’m about to call it a night when my phone rings. My heart leaps, knowing who’s calling without checking.

Growing enough lady balls to view my phone, I confirm my suspicion… Jaxton. His picture flashes across the screen, causing my heart to squeeze with the memory. He’d stolen my phone and taken a silly picture of himself, setting it to his ringtone. I stare at the screen, wondering if I should answer and confront him or if I should ghost him altogether. Whatever the answer is—I’m not ready to face it.

By seven, my phone had vibrated several times, waiting for a response. The tears have dried on my cheeks, while I curl beneath my blankets, relaxing finally. Anger lingers the longer thinking about how I shared my secret places with him—places I hold close—my sanctuaries.

With a rough click, I hit the message button, ready to get this over with. There’re several messages, all from Jaxton. They start happily, “Hey, Avery. Are you off work yet? Call me when you get this. Can’t wait to hear your voice.” My heart clenches as I listen, but I want to see if he realizes I know about his girlfriend. I imagine Crazy will have blabbed her mouth by now. The second and third messages are much like the first.Can’t wait to see you, hear from you,call me,messages. On the fourth message, anxiety is building in his voice. “Avery, I know you have your phone on you at work. Are you okay? I’m getting worried. Please call me.” My heart tugs hearing his concern, but then remember that it’s all an act. Staying strong, I click delete, and listen to the last message. “That’s it, Kitten. I’m coming over.” His growl echoes through the phone, causing me to stiffen and sit straight up, trying to figure out when the last call came through. But before I can decipher the time, a hard knock beats against the door. My heart goes into overdrive.

What am I going to do?For a second, hiding underneath my covers seems like a great idea, but then I remember my cars in the driveway.He knows I’m here.

I decide not to answer the door and deal with it when I want to, trying to relax back into bed. Once I settle, I tense up again, remembering that the door’s unlocked. Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I get ready to sneak into the living room to lock it, but I’m too late. I hear it open, and someone rush inside.

“Kitten! Avery!” He hollers, but I don’t answer. He flies through the living room and kitchen before he rushes down the hall to my room. My door flies open, and he stands in my doorway staring, panting. “Are you okay?” He blurts, kneeling at my side, and grabbing my hand. “Why haven’t you answered any of my calls?” Instinct snatches my hand from his grip, causing him to raise his brows in surprise. “What the hell, Kitten, what’s going on?” his voice shakes, nervous energy surrounding us.

“No! I’m not! I want you to leave!” I yell, pointing at the door he just entered.

He’s stunned by the command, opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water, until he utters, “What? Why? What’s going on?” He’s shaking his head, rejecting my dismissal.

“How can you pretend everything is fine? How does she not get suspicious when you’re gone for so long?” I whip the questions sharply, not giving him time to respond.

His eyes are wide, golden saucers. “I…I… don’t understand.” Uncertainty and emotions are cracking his voice—gaze pleading with mine for an unspoken answer.

“I thought you were different.” My tough facade cracks as my voice wavers, emotion clogging my throat, causing the next words to come out in a whisper, “I thought you were special.” Losing the battle, my bottom lip trembles, and a single tear trails down my cheek. I wipe it away quickly, but Jaxton notices, and attempts to pull me into his arms. “Don’t!” He releases me immediately, as if burned by my sharp demand.

“Kitten, please… explain what’s happening here.” Desperation laces his words like a druggy needing their next fix.

“Don’t call me that—not anymore.” I swipe another tear away.

“Avery…” He pleads with his eyes.

“Why don’t you ask your girlfriend!” I scream. “Do you get it now?”

He still seems baffled, but then understanding dawns. “Avery,” He begins calmly, a smile forming.How could he smile when he tore my heart out today?“Did you see me earlier today?”

“What does it matter? I know what I saw. You need to leave. Now.” I point toward my door again.

“Kitten, just let me explain.” He pleads.

I cross my arms over my chest. “I’d like to hear how you explain this one. Go ahead.”

“I’m so sorry I hurt you. I should have already told you. Liam warned me about keeping things from you this long.” His fingers trail through his hair in frustration. “I’m… I’m an actor. The movie that’s filming in town is my movie. I’m the lead role in the film. Anything you saw today was for the movie we’re doing. I don’t have feelings for her anymore.” The entire situation turns my thoughts upside-down. Especially the last part.What the hell does he mean, ‘anymore?’

“What do you mean, ‘anymore’?” I contemplate and arch an eyebrow.

“Remember our game of twenty-one questions?” He doesn’t give me a chance to respond before continuing, “I told you I was in a relationship with someone for a while. Well, that someone is Sarah Hearst, and she’s my counter in the movie. There’s a scene where I have to kiss her. She hasn’t gotten over our relationship, so she’s still clingy and possessive.” I roll my eyes.How convenient.Does he really think I’m going to believe this? She’s not even the person who told me about them.

“I saw you with her today. No cameras—kissing her. That friend of hers told me where I could find…” As my words trail away, realization hits, and hope clings like wet clothes after a torrential downpour.Maybe they’re real-life mean girls.

Jaxton interrupts my internal ramblings. “Jamie came to your work? What did she say? Tell me everything, every word!” His expression morphs into a furious mask.

“Is that Crazy’s name?” I tilted my head, watching him fume and sigh. “She said she came to see the home wrecker that was stealing her friend’s boyfriend. Then she told me that if I didn’t believe her, I could go check for myself. She told me where to find you. I drove to the school… I saw you… you were kissing her. There were no cameras around.” My palms rub my face as tears cling to my lashes with the memory.

His fingers pinch my chin softly, ensuring our eyes connect while his golden orbs reflect the same devastation that’s radiating from mine. His thumb caresses my cheek, wiping a rogue tear before it creates a path for others to follow.

“I’m an actor, baby. It’s not a genuine kiss. We were practicing the scene one last time before ending the day. It’s only work. I swear to you.” He swallows thickly, seeming to resign himself to whatever he’s about to say. “This is going to sound insane, because we just met, but you’re the most important person in my life. I’m pretty sure I’m in love with you.” My heart jumps and skips a beat at his declaration, but doubt plagues my thoughts. I want so badly to believe him. But we’ve known each other fordays, not years.

Suddenly, his facial expression changes, as if he senses my reservations. “I can’t believe they stooped this low.” His voice is crisp with anger when he suddenly stands. “Come with me.” He’s not asking, as he drags me to my feet. “I can tell you still doubt me, which I understand, but I’m going to prove to you that what we have is real.”

“Where are we going?” I ask, trying to protest as he ushers me out the door.

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