Page 56 of Just Is Not Enough

I hit call on Luke’s number faster than ever before. It just rings with no answer. Grabbing my keys I practically run out the door without saying a word to Kelsey.

I have tunnel vision as I making my way to my car, dialing Luke’s number over and over again, that I don’t see someone come up behind me. I’m pinned to my driver’s door by a body pressed hard against my back and a large hand tight around the back of my neck.

“Where are you off to so quickly, Kaden? In a rush to make sure he’s okay?” Tyler’s menacing tone throws my mind into a panic worse than it was already.

“What do you want, Tyler? Why are you doing this?”

“Why? I told you before, no one gets to have you. Not then, not now. Your little boy toy is no exception.”

I think back to those times he was in a jealous rage, remembering those exact words that didn’t seem as important back then as they do right now.

“Tyler what are you talking about? You were the one who left me. You wanted nothing to do with me. You got married. Why all of a sudden am I so important to you?”

“You think me walking into that asshole’s restaurant that night was a coincidence?”

He sinister laugh at his admission makes my stomach turn. His grip on my neck tightens causing me to cry out in pain.

“Leave him. Tell him you’re done or next time it won’t be your parking lot I show up in.”

Before I can respond, Tyler is ripped from behind me releasing me from my confinement. I spin to see the commotion and find Tyler being shoved away from me by Austin, stumbling to regain his balance. Austin acts as a barrier standing between Tyler and myself. I’m thankful Austin is a bigger guy knowing Tyler won’t be able to overpower him.

“Kaden, are you okay?” Austin asks not taking his eyes off Tyler.

“Another guard dog, Kaden? You fucking this one too?”

“I don’t know who you are, asshole, but you better walk away before you see how hard this dog bites.”

I massage my neck as Tyler gets up, “See you soon, Kaden.” Tyler retreats to the other side of the parking lot, both Austin and I watching him until his car disappears.

Austin turns to me with concerned eyes. “Are you okay? Who was that guy?” I hear Kelsey approach asking the same question having caught the end of the confrontation.

“Thank you, Austin. I’m okay. He scared me more than anything. Can I explain later? I really need to get home and make sure Luke is okay.”

“Dr. Parker, please be careful.” Kelsey pleads.

I nod as I get in my car and speed out of the parking lot.

I call Jackson on the way to Luke’s place and inform him of everything that has been going on. He doesn’t seem as surprised as I thought he would, and it makes sense when he confesses Luke had called him a week or so ago asking him to get information on Tyler from the city’s system. Jackson apologizes saying he refused because he didn’t want to lose his job. He is already on his way to meet me as I am pulling up to Luke’s apartment.

I choose to take the three flights of stairs knowing its faster than waiting for that slow elevator. Barging into Luke’s apartment I see him wide-eyed, standing with wet hair and a towel around his waist in front of the fridge. I’m panting as I slam into his body causing us to stumble backwards into the counter.

“Kaden, what the fuck? What happened? What’s going on?” He drops the water bottle from his hand, closing his arms around me.

I don’t reply. I can’t even if I tried. We stand there in a tense embrace until Jackson is rushing through the open door.

“Fuck, you’re okay. Geez, I’ve never been so scared in my life.” I can hear Jackson huffing behind me most likely from taking the stairs, as well.

“Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on here?”

I don’t let go of him, letting Jackson explain knowing I wouldn’t be able to at the moment. Luke’s arms have me in a death grip as the story goes on. When Jackson is finished telling him everything, Luke grasps my biceps gently pulling me off him.

“Angel, did he hurt you? Are you okay? Say something, please.”

I nod when his hands cusp my face. “I’m okay I was just terrified he did something to you. You weren’t answering your phone, and I wasn’t paying attention in the parking lot when he came up behind me. Then Austin showed up out of nowhere and I don’t even remember anything on the way here besides explaining what happened to Jackson. I may have blown a few red lights.”

He engulfs me in his arms once again. Jackson and Luke discuss what can be done from the little information we have about Tyler and what he has been up to. Jackson says there isn’t much. I could press charges about him putting his hands on me in the parking lot, but even that wouldn’t do much to him.

When Luke decides to take matters into his owns hands I interject myself into the conversation, “Luke, please don’t go after him. He’s fucking unhinged right now. He threatened to hurt you. Please, can we just take other measures. I’ll pay more attention to my surroundings and park my car outside the front door of my office. I won’t go anywhere alone. Please just don’t go near him.” I can’t beg him enough. He doesn’t respond to my pleading. Jackson let’s Luke know he will speak with his supervisor to see what else can be done. He said maybe a restraining order is a possibility.

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