Page 69 of Beaten

That was the abbreviated version, but it was enough. They didn’t know about anything that had happened with Jamie, nor did they need to. They adored Jamie and I didn’t need them telling me I should be more patient. I’d had the patience of a saint with Craig, and look where that got me.

“That’s about it. He violated the restraining order so Houston PD issued a warrant for his arrest. This should all be over in a few days.”

My dad lifted his coffee. “Cheers to that.” My mom raised her tea, which she always drank in her grandmother’s delicate floral china. It felt comical clinking my wine glass to his coffee mug and her dainty tea cup, but I did it anyway.

“Cheers.” I took a big sip and prayed I was right.

Chapter 33

Emily

Four days later and Craig still hadn’t contacted me. All that worrying for nothing. All the added stress, for nothing. All the extra coverage Chris would have to pay for, for nothing.

I felt like an over-reactive scaredy cat.

I hadn’t heard from Jamie either. Except yesterday, when he came to the house to tell me officers had arrested Craig the day before, at work, and he’d posted bail that morning. When I mentioned wanting to block Craig’s number, Jamie asked me not to. He said Craig might contact me before coming here, giving SSI time to prepare.

That was it, he didn’t try talking to me about anything else.I was right, he changed his mind and doesn’t want to go out with me.

After four days with out a peep, I was beginning to think Craig had finally given up. SSI had helped me move, andreport him when he violated the restraining order, so maybe he finally realized it was stupid to keep harassing me.

Is it finally over?I hoped so. I was done with him; he’d never touch me again. Sadly, it seemed I was done with Jamie too, though that wasn’t by choice.

Later, Ashley called and said, “I’m coming over tomorrow.” She insisted on take me out to Sunday brunch, and shopping, claiming I needed some cute new clothes, and something sexy for when Jamie got his head out of his ass and finally asked me out. She didn’t believe for a second that Jamie didn’t want to go out with me.

“Listen Em, it can’t be easy worrying about protecting you when all he wants to do is kiss you. He’s afraid he’ll fuck up.”

I can’t believe she’s defending him.“I don’t think that’s it. I think he realized I’m too messed up and have too much baggage. He changed his mind after he saw all those texts from Craig.”

“You forget, I was there. I saw the look on his face. He was scared-”

“Of failing at his job.”

“You don’t really believe that, do you?”

“I don’t know. He told Chris I was more than a job but now, now he’s acting like I’m nothing more than a client he has to protect. He said I'm a distraction.”

“You’re acting like an idiot-”

Did she just called me an idiot?“What?”

“You heard me. I love you Emily Taylor, but right now you’re acting like an idiot. Think about it, he lost his wife to a stalker. He’s not afraid of failing at his job. He’s afraid ofmaking a mistake and losing you. Like he lost Isabelle. Why can’t you see that?”

“I…” Could she be right? I hadn’t really given him a chance to explain.Did I twist his words and freak out over nothing?What would he have said if I hadn’t run out on him?

“Listen, I know you’re not an idiot, so please just think about what I said.”

Maybe she had a point. Jamie had felt helpless when he lost Isabelle a few years ago. And maybe he was worried about me getting killed by Craig.But wouldn’t he want to be closer to me, not farther, if that’s the reason?I convinced myself it wasn’t the same. Isabelle was the love of his life. I was his best friend’s little sister who wasn’t smart enough to leave the guy who beat her up. He wanted to do his job and protect me. And that was all.

When I didn’t answer her right away she said, “We’ll talk about it tomorrow, over mimosas.”

I emailed Meg at SSI, so they’d know I was going out. I pounded the keys on my laptop as I apologized for not having enough details.Why am I apologizing for having plans with a friend?I told her Ashley was picking me up around eight, then we were going out for breakfast and shopping. I hit the enter key harder than necessary to send the email. My frustration was unjustified, but I was sick and tired of having to report my every move like a kid who got grounded for missing curfew.

I want my life back.

I knew it was for my safety, but I was convinced the threat had passed. Craig hadn’t contacted me and I’d didn’t think he would, so I thought it was crazy I still had a bodyguard.Craig’s messages had scared me, so I’d felt better the first day or so knowing someone from SSI was nearby. But I didn’t need them anymore. Surely if he was going to retaliate, he would have done it by now.

In her reply, Meg told me not to apologize for not having all the details, which took a little of the energy out of my anger. She asked if we wanted Eric to drive, suggesting it’d be easier for everyone. She added it might be fun if we thought of him as our chauffeur, adding we could have mimosas at breakfast or drinks at lunch without worrying about driving. Meg had no way of knowing Ashley and I had teased Jamie about being our chauffeur when we went to the fair last week. I cringed at the memory. What had started as an amazing weekend had ended in fear and heartache.

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