Page 26 of Beaten

“I repeat: Hmmm.” Ashley took a sip of wine and wiggled her eyebrows above the rim. I couldn’t help but laugh at her.

“Is there someone outside now?” She asked as she got up and went to the window.

“Yes, Jamie. You can’t see him from here.”

“Bummer. I was going to check out just how in shape he still is.” She sat back down. “Seriously though, are you doing okay with all of this? You seem calm, but I’m worried about you. What if asshat comes looking for you?”

“The guys from SSI,” she raised her eyebrows in question and I realized I hadn’t told her the name of their company. “Sheppard & Sons Investigations will stop him. Besides, I have a restraining order against him. He knows if he comes within fifty feet of me, he’ll go back to jail.”

“A restraining order is just a piece of paper, Em. People violate them all the time. A co-worker’s ex-girlfriend violated the one he placed against her—she hit him with a hammer.”

My hand flew to my mouth as I gasped.

“He’s okay. But my point is, it can’t stop him.” Ashley put one concern to rest.

“Jamie said the same thing.” I paused to collect my thoughts before continuing. “Craig actually showed up at the apartment while we were packing the rest of my things. Jack and Jamie stopped him from hurting me.”

“Jesus. What a stupid ass.”

“Agreed.” I held my glass up, and we clinked. “I just wish I’d seen it sooner.”

“None of this is your fault, Em. Please don’t blame yourself for seeing only the good in people.”

“Thanks.”Chris said the same thing.

“Do you have someone with you twenty-four-seven?”

“Yeah, but they’re not with me so much as shadowing me. Jamie said their goal is to see, and stop, Craig before he gets to me.”

“Hey, didn’t you date Jamie’s brother, Jack?”

I laughed and nodded. “Yeah. We went on a few dates, but we didn’t click.”

“He was hot too.” I could see Ashley’s thoughts. “Do you know if he’s still single?”

“He’s not. He works at SSI, so does his fiancé. Well, technically, he’s part owner.”

“Wow. That’s cool.” She stood up and held out her hand for my wineglass. “I’ll pour us some more wine, then we’ll gossip about everyone from high school.”

“I’d rather hear about your adventures!” I yelled at her as she walked to the kitchen.

I checked my phone out of habit. Craig would get pissed if I didn’t reply to his texts fast enough. Then shook my head to clear it.He won’t text me.My heart just about stopped when I saw a text alert pop up.

He wouldn’t be dumb enough to text me.Would he?

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the text was from Jamie. He wanted to check that everything was going okay, and ask if I knew what time I’d be leaving.

I texted back that I could leave now if he wanted to go home.Dammit, Craig had trained me too well. Then I got mad at myself for being so spineless. Jamie was getting paid to be here, so I could stay as long as I wanted.

Shame replaced my anger when I read his almost instant reply. “Nah, stay as long as you like. I was just curious. Have fun. Text me when you’re ready to leave.”

I’d totally over-reacted. Of course, Jamie was nothing like Craig. I sent a quick text to say thanks, hoping to put my phone away before Ashley saw it.

“What’s that look for? Who are you texting?” She handed me my wineglass.

“Nothing. No one. Jamie was just checking in.”

Ashley and I opened, and finished, a third bottle of wine as we gossiped. It felt so good to relax without having to worry about getting yelled at when I got home. Though I should text my parents and let them know I was still here and everything was fine, so they didn’t worry. I sent my mom a quick text, knowing she’d tell my dad.

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