Page 5 of Marked By my Stalker
“Handle it how?” I ask, suddenly trying to compose myself.
He steps just close enough that I catch the pine scent again.
“However you need me to.”
Okay… now we’re talking.
“Well, I appreciate that, but I was just going to head back to the dorm to get some studying in before my test tomorrow morning. I’d tell you not to follow, but something tells me you’ll be a step behind.” I brush past him, heart skipping a small, uneven rhythm like it’s catching up to something I’m not sure of yet.
On my way out, I see Brick. He’s still posted in that same corner, leaning into a girl whose eyeliner wings are sharper than mine and whose laugh sounds like it belongs on a highlight reel. Her hand flutters up and lands on his arm, all casual and practiced, like she’s done it before, and he’s let her.
My boots scuff the entryway tile. I hesitate, just for a breath, wondering if I should say goodbye. Be the gracious one, be chill, be mature, but I’m not sure I know what that looks like right now. My stomach is churning in knots because I never feelquite good enough, like I’m always being compared, like there are a thousand other girls that do everything better than me.
Yeah, no way I’m dealing with his slow, syrupy, patronizing bullshit of an explanation tonight. All it does is tangle me up in ways I haven’t figured how to untangle yet.
No thanks.
Outside, the cool air hits me immediately. I love the early fall weather. It’s my favorite time of the year. Cool air, turning leaves, and warm cozy scents that make me want to sink into the house and do some cute little project I’ve been putting off all year. Maybe I’ll get time for that by spring.
I’ve barely made it a block when I hear my stalker’s boots behind me. We’ve done so well at keeping the fourth wall up between us… until now.
I glance back and see the tall, square-faced man not far behind. “You don’t have to walk alone.” I pause and wait for him to catch up. “It’s weird.”
“Not a stranger if I’m next to you?”
“Nah, I love it when my grandpa visits me at college.It’s so fun,”I grin playfully,“and easy to explain, too.”
“That noticeable?”
“Yes,” I grin, “that noticeable. Everyone on campus is calling you the C-lot stalker. It’s not that catchy, but you’d be surprised how fast it spread.”
He glances down at the pavement as we walk, then up again. “Well, this is an embarrassment to everything I’ve worked for. Dozens of high-stakes missions, but I can’t properly follow a college kid. It’s sad, really.”
“Extremely sad.” I laugh, rubbing my arms as I talk. It’s a little cooler tonight than I expected, and this sweater dress isn’t as warm as I’d planned.
There’s only half a beat before the C-lot stalker is stripping off his jacket and wrapping it around my shoulders.
“You don’t have to do that,” I mutter, fingers brushing the rough collar as it settles against my throat. The coat smells like him, warm and familiar.
“Well,” he hides a grin, “you can write it up in my formal review. Maybe your mom will throw me an extra twenty.”
“Sorry,”I laugh, tucking further into his jacket, “that comment wasn’t very nice of me. I just… my mom has completely lost her marbles. Ever since my dad died, she’s been hyper-protective. And I get it, but at some point, it’s just… it’s too much.”
“Your dad was a good guy. Did two tours with him. It’s part of why I’m out here.” His voice is low and steady. “Man saved my life once, and your mom was desperate for help.”
“Oh God!”I stop in my tracks and look toward the muscled, bearded man in the dim light of the night. “You knew my dad?”
“We were best buddies for a time when we were enlisted. Lived two separate lives on the flip side, though. I knew of you, but never got the pleasure… until now.”
I blink again and again, trying to wrap my head around this man and everything he’s saying. I clear my throat and stare at him. “Maybe you should’ve opened with that.”
“No point. Shouldn’t even be talking to ya.”
I sigh and turn forward, walking again, a little slower now. I don’t know this man any more than I did twenty minutes ago, but now that I know he knew my dad, for some reason he feels like less of a stranger.
I stare up at the man next to me and feel a twinge of warmth in my stomach. “You ever do this fun college stuff?”
He shakes his head. “Not for me. I’ve spent most of my time doing the military thing. Got out last year.”
