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Vomit threatened to erupt from my stomach, and I jumped up from the bed. “No, thanks,Jim.” Three quick steps to his door, I turned before I waltzed out to say, “I only fuck porn star-sized cocks.”
Rushing out of his room, I weaved through students until I made it outside on the front lawn. The internet was sluggish with so many people nearby, so downloading a ride-share program app to my phone was taking forever. Eventually, I gave up and scrolled through my very short list of contacts, wondering if I had a friend to call who wasn’t related to Eli. Or Eddie.
The fear that stunned me that someone would break in while I would lie in my bed at night didn’t compare to the terror of how alone I was at that moment.
How would I ever get home now?
ChapterSixteen
ESSA
Johnny Davis! My heart soared when I reached his name. He would pick me up. On the second ring, he answered with his usual cheerfulness.
“Hey, Essie! What’s wrong?”
My voice shook as I said, “I’m so sorry, Johnny. I know it’s late, but I really didn’t have anyone else to call. I got stranded at this college house party. I can call a cab or something, if you—”
“Don’t even think about it. Text me the address. I was already in my car. I’ll swing by and grab you.”
It didn’t take Johnny ten minutes before he arrived at the curb, pulling up in a Chevy Corvette that was a bright color, probably blue, but it was difficult to tell in the dark. By the time I walked to the side, he had already opened the passenger door for me with a big smile.
“Wow! This isn’t a party. It’s a rager. Hop in.”
Johnny seemed like he wanted to impress me with his car as he threw it into fifth gear and fishtailed away from the house. When I gripped the door handle and my seat belt, he chuckled with his eyes sparkling in the light of the dashboard.
“How have you been? I haven’t seen you in a while. I, um, saw Eli, though.”
Very subtly, I took a deep breath in, trying not to show how curious I was about how Eli was doing without me. Hopefully, I wouldn’t let on to how desperate I was to know any information about him. With a few blinks of my lashes, I asked casually, “Oh?”
“Yeah, he looks like dog shit. You guys break up or something?” Johnny was focused on the road.
“Um… yeah.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I thought you two made a great couple.” His head did a double take before he turned to me, his eyes rolling up and down my dress. “How are you then? You look good.”
“I’m doing okay.” I wasn’t, but if word was going to get back to my ex-boyfriend, I wanted it to be good.
“Hey. I know I always joke around with you, but I’m serious. If you need to talk, I’m here. OneBuffyfan to another. We have a connection.”
Settling back in my seat, I relaxed. It was good to have another friend, especially one who I could call so late who would rescue me. My team of people in my life was building.
“Thanks for picking me up, Johnny. I think I’m learning more every day about how to operate alone. It’s tough some days. My neighbor doesn’t make it any easier.”
“Neighbor? That creepy guy who never wears a shirt outside?” Johnny’s brow furrowed.
“Yeah. His name is Eddie.”
“He bothering you?” His hands gripped the steering wheel tighter as he straightened in his seat.
“Sometimes,” I informed Johnny about the lawnmower day, and he shook his head with disgust.
When his car pulled into my driveway, I immediately noticed the front door was standing wide open. My heart stopped beating, and I froze as Johnny commanded, “Stay here.”
He jumped out of the car. As his back turned to the car window, I saw a gun tucked into his waistband. When he darted inside, I contemplated following so I could be near someone, but waited while biting my nails. After several minutes, thinking I’d hear a gunshot at any moment, he returned and motioned with his hand for me to enter.
All the lights had been turned on in the house during his search. “All clear,” he said as he closed the door behind me and flipped the deadbolt. “Everything was locked except the front door. Did you forget to lock it when you left?”
“I-I’m not sure. I’m usually good about it.” Did I forget? I don’t think I did. The juice I had earlier was threatening to come back up, and my eyebrows couldn’t get any closer to each other.
