Page 68 of Bewitching Her Monsters

I don’t get sick often. Well, not until I met Rob, now that I think of it.

Being ill has been so rare for me that I’ve only been to the doctor a few times for unusual stuff. Although, when I think back on my health, it was only after I hooked up with Rob that I began to have any health issues. Nothing was ever dire enough to go to the hospital, but I was often under a strange malaise.

Why had I not realized that until now?

I suppose I brushed it off as depression from being in a crappy relationship or getting older.

This sensation feels like that funk, but several times more intense.

The fog begins to clear, just enough for me to do my business and wander to the kitchen to make my morning coffee.

I pause when I walk into the living room on my way to the kitchen.

Why does it feel like someone was here? Am I being paranoid?

I had the same eerie feeling after I broke up with Rob. I often had a nagging sensation that he had been in my space when I wasn’t around or while I was sleeping.

One night… he came back. Fortunately, I woke up. It’s why I lock my bedroom door.

That’s why I bought a gun. I needed to feel safe. Not that it did all that much to make me feel safe.

Just because I can whack my side characters and torture my main characters with abandon doesn’t mean I could easily pull the trigger if Rob were to attack me. I’d do it if it came down to him or me. But I worry I’d hesitate.

The idea of having Arran as a bodyguard sounds more appealing by the minute. I don’t feel I have enough strength to hold a gun or fight someone off.

Yet, I like to think of myself as a strong, independent person. I’ve never enjoyed relying on people, and I don’t want to start now. Jumping into relationships too quickly gets me into trouble. I’ve learned my lesson.

After I feed and give some attention to my fur babies, I practically fall asleep in there, holding my guinea pig as we snuggle. For some reason, my animals ground me.

Animals have healing in their very souls.

I’m jostled out of my napping with my phone ringing in my pocket. I fish it out of my sweatpants and see it’s the number Arran had given me before. Interesting, I hadn’t given him mine. I suppose he was able to hunt it down with his professional security skills.

“Hello?” I answer, sounding curious, like I don’t know who it could be.

“Jade? It’s me, Arran.” He sounds sheepish. “Hey. I’m sorry I looked up your number, but I didn’t want to invade your space and knock on your door whenever I wanted to talk.”

“So, you invade my privacy in a brand new way?” I’m not that upset, but I need to state my boundaries. It’s also a test to see how frustrated he gets with me stating them.

“Yeah. I shouldn’t have done it. But I was worried about you,” he sounds contrite, so I’ll let it slide.

“Why are you worried?” I ask. I get up, head to the living room, and peek through the window, glancing up and down the street to see if he’s in his truck, watching me from the street.

“I have a bad feeling about your ex,” he says.

I roll my eyes, because that is a sort of weak excuse. “That’s been established.”

“So, I know you want us to take this relationship slowly. And I want to honor that, but please, will you call me if something feels off or something happens? Anything at all,” he asks.

I realize my mistake… I’m putting Arran in harm’s way. I need to end this now.

“I appreciate you wanting to look into Rob. But with him emailing me about going to brunch with Maxum, I can’t get into a serious relationship right now. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have encouraged something between us the other night. Rob’s dangerous. And I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Hey, sweetheart,” he says softly. “I understand you aren’t ready for a committed relationship. But I just want to be there for you.” He sighs quietly. “But you shouldn’t let Rob stop you from living your life. And if you wanted to date other people while we got to know each other, I wouldn’t try to stop you. Maybe he’ll back off if you have me and my friends around.”

Where is this coming from?

He almost sounds…hopeful. Does he want me to hook up with Maxum or one of his other friends?

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