Page 20 of Marked By my Stalker
I never thought I’d ever be caught quite so literally with my pants down, but here we are. I’m batting a thousand. I’m not sure how much her mother has seen, but I take the opportunity to pull out and button up as she parks on the opposite side of the truck.
Fucking hell!
I glance toward Kera, trying to console her, but her little face is already red, and her hands are shaky.
This isn’t how I saw things going down.
“What the hell is going on here?” Linda spits. Her entire body is trembling, even her voice. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone this angry and I’ve been to fucking war.
“Mom,” Kera hops from the truck, her clothes back in place, though the sweater is backwards, “how did you find us? This mountain is huge!”
Her mom tips her head to the side. “I’m the one asking questions, Kera. What are you doing up here with this man? No,” she holds up her hand, “don’t tell me because I already know. He took advantage of you, didn’t he? He tricked you. God,” she glances down at the ground and begins to pace, the tips of her fingers kneading against her forehead, “this is all my fault. I hired him. I hired him and he’s been out here manipulating you this whole time.”
“Mom,” Kera presses, “stop. He’s not manipulating me. I like him.”
Her mother’s brows narrow heavily as she tugs at her sweater. “That’s what manipulation is, sweetie. He’s almost thirty years older than you. He’s your father’s old friend. You don’t like him. Any man who’d do this to you out here,” her voice rises, “right off the road, is a terrible person. Anyone could’ve seen you two.”
Kera rolls her eyes and crosses her arms in front of her chest. “How did you know I was here? You’re tracking me, aren’t you? You’ve got something on my phone.”
“Kera,” her mother sighs, “that’s not what we’re talking about. There are much more pressing matters. And truthfully, you should be happy I knew where you were. I knew something was up. I could hear it in your voices when I called earlier.” She reaches out for her daughter as the final bit of sun dips behind the range.
“No! I’m not going with you!” Kera tucks against my chest. “I’m sorry, Mom, but you’ve crossed too many lines. I’m staying here with Jack.”
Linda glances toward me with the stare of the Devil himself. “I swear to God, Jack, I trusted you. I know Mike would’ve trusted you, too.”
I deserve this. I’ve betrayed her trust.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen.” I clear my throat, heart hammering as the words spill. “I care about her.”
“Oh, my Lord! You’re sick!” Her tone is ragged and rough. “My husband saved your life! Now you’re sleeping with his daughter?” She says it like it’s the most vile thing to ever exist.
Maybe it is.
“I get it,” I say steadily, holding Kera tight, afraid she’ll be swept away. “I’d be upset too, but I didn’t plan for this. Neither of us did. It just happened.”
“You’re going to hell!” Her face is dark red with some kind of rage that I suppose is saved for protective mothers.
“Mom!” Kera snaps. “Stop! You need to leave.”
“I’m not leaving without you, Kera bear. If that means I fight this man, I will.” Linda steps toward me, chest puffed as though she’s really going to fight me for Kera.
I know I should be gentle here, but I meant it when I said Kera is mine. I’m done pretending.
“Lin, stop,” I urge. “We can talk about this peacefully.”
Linda scoffs, arms folding tight across her chest. “There’s nothing to talk about. You’re going to jail, and I’m taking my baby girl home.”
“I’m nineteen years old, Mom! I’m an adult. You can’t send him to jail. This is crazy!” Kera huffs, lands her hands on her face, and twists into my frame as though not looking will make it all go away.
I take a breath. “Lin, I know how much Mike loved his family. And if you think for a second, I’d dishonor that by screwing around with Kera, then you don’t know me at all. What’s happening here is real.”
“Oh my God, Jack. You’ve known her for a what… a month? Two? And how many of those days did you actually talk to her?”
The silence stretches long and sharp because that part is true. Whatever happened between Kera and I happened hard and fast.
Kera turns back, exhaling loudly as she says, “Mom, this doesn’t make sense to anyone but me, and that’s enough! Take it or leave it! You don’t get to control my life!”
Linda’s eyes soften, just a fraction. I can’t tell if it’s defeat or exhaustion, but I know it’s not understanding.
