Page 39 of Defending A Promise
“No, really? Wow, that’s great.”
“Isn’t it? She just signed the lease here,” she waves at the building behind us. “and now I’m going to show her the Simmons house over off of Palm Drive.”
Shit. I didn’t say I wanted to see the house. I’m living with Declan right now and have no intention of leaving and we’ve certainly not talked about it.
“Well…” I’m just about to clear the air when Declan’s radio goes off and he holds up a finger stopping me from talking.
“PD334 go ahead.” He says into the radio and then listens to the dispatcher as he types something in the laptop that’s hanging over the passenger side front seat. “10-4. Enroute.” He says into the radio and turns to us. “I’ve got to go ladies. Be safe.”
“We will, Declan. See you soon,” Roxanne singsongs as she finally releases her talons from Declan’s forearm. He gives me one last look before driving away and the hurt in his eyes is evident. I wish I was able to clear up the misunderstanding before he had to leave.
“Isn’t he just yummy?” Roxanne asks as we both watch the patrol car exit the parking lot, lights and sirens on, and turn out of sight.
“Yep,” I answer her while I’m trying to drag my stomach back up from where it fell. “Yummy.”
After declining the invitation to see the house Roxanne mentioned, we parted ways, and I decided to go to my parent’s house to check on things and get the mail.
The entire drive over all I keep thinking about is that look that was in Declan’s eyes when Roxanne mentioned that house for rent. He looked like he was really hurt by that, and I don’t know what to do with that information. Does he want us to stay with him or was he just hurt that I never mentioned it to him – not that I even thought about it until Roxanne said something. And what if I really did want to see that house? Would we still be together or am I just a convenient companion right now?
Having a house of my own for Nicholas to grow up in isn’t a bad thing. We lived in apartments in Atlanta since buying a house was outside of my price range in that area as a single mom and business owner. Having something that was all mine, a place where Nicholas could make friends in the neighborhood, and a place we could call home has always been a dream of mine – and why shouldn’t I look at the house? Declan and I aren’t anything official yet, are we? Should we?
I’ve been sitting in this truck, which smells exactly like Declan, in my parents’ driveway for ten minutes arguing with myself and getting nowhere. I pull out my phone to text Declan but decide not to bother him while he’s at work. With my luck, I’ll text him in the middle of a gun battle or something and get him killed all because of my insecurities. No, we can talk tonight at home.
Not home – at his house – it’s not my home and I need to remember that no matter how I feel about him or where Nicholas and I are staying.
I turn off the truck and climb out and instantly my senses go on high alert. Something feels off, but I can’t put my finger on it. The hair on the back of my neck stands up and I’m not comfortable. My gut is warning me of something. It’s the middleof the afternoon and the sun is shining bright, and nothing seems out of sorts, but I still feel weird – like I’m being watched.
As I make my way to the mailbox, my eyes are darting in all directions trying to find something or someone out of place but finding nothing. Everything looks normal – like it has for all the years I grew up in this house and on this block. I grab the mail and quickly go to the front door. There’s a package by the door with a smile on the side of it, but nothing else looks out of place. I unlock the door and quickly close it behind me.
The note the stalker left on the inside of the door the other night catches my eye and still sends chills down my spine. He was inside this house. He knows we’re here. I don’t feel safe here anymore. He’s invaded my family home and I hate him even more for that.
My phone rings and I jump. I look down at the screen secretly hoping it’s Declan but see my mother’s smiling face. She’s been gone since Saturday and so much has happened in the last three days. I yearn to talk to her, but I decide not to mention what’s been happening. My parents deserve this trip and I’ll do anything to make sure they have a great time and not worry about things here.
“Hi Mom. How’s the trip?”
“It’s amazing. We’re having so much fun, Riley.”
I sit down at the dining room table and flip through the mail, but nothing is for me. “That’s fantastic. Where are you?”
“We’re just outside of London and about to get back on the ship.”
I smile at the excitement in her voice. My mom sounds happy. “That’s great. So, tell me all the things you’ve done so far.”
“Eat. That’s all we’ve done is eat. This ship is amazing, and the food is out of this world. I swear I think I’ve already gained ten pounds.”
I laugh, “You could use another ten pounds, Mom. You’re too skinny.”
“Yeah right.” She doesn’t believe me. “How’s Nicholas doing?”
“He’s good. He’s loving school.” I look down at my watch and realize that Declan is probably picking him up from school right now so they can go on their guy’s night out together.
“And how are you doing?”
What she means is if everything is okay and if I’ve heard from my not-so-friendly neighborhood stalker. Although she has no idea that he’s now here in Hibiscus Harbor.
“Everything’s good, Mom. Status quo.” I lie right through my teeth. Everything is not good. The stalker is here, their home has been violated, and I’m falling in love with my brother’s best friend who is probably pretty upset with me thinking I may be moving out. Nope, definitely not all good.
“I’m glad to hear it, Riley.” There’s a loud horn in the background. “That’s the ship calling everyone back onboard. I’ve got to go; I don’t want them to forget us.” She laughs. “I’ll call you in a few days. Love you.”
