Page 5 of 4th and Goal
“That’s worse!” Addy and I shake hands, and he leads her out of the athletic complex. With a heavy sigh, I realize I’m not nearly done with work for the day, so I head up to the surveillance office to review footage.
Eric and I are just finishing up our reports when my phone rings. “Mason, what can I do for you?”
“Are you still working?”
“I am.” I click to put my phone on speaker and set it on the desk between Eric and I. “Eric’s with me, we’re in the surveillance room, we had a situation here—”
“Daya Moul?” Eric and I share a look before I answer Mason.
“Yes?” Mason relays that he was called to Daya’s dorm, where Daya’s undergarments were displayed with a picture of her for all to see. We coordinate notes, timeline, and then Eric and I dive into the footage surrounding the dorm. Mason says he’ll call Addy to update him. Hooded figure, 5’7”, both locations.Nothing to go on, unfortunately. But I finish up the report so it’s on record.
“Eric, I’ve made a security alert in the system, but when you see the others, please relay the need for diligence.”
“Yes, sir.” I’m at the doorway, about to break free for the night and go home to crack open an ice-cold beer and watch the game I didn’t get to see much of while I was working, when Eric stops me. “You ever get the ‘feeling’?” He’s smiling but I nod solemnly because I do get the “feeling”. I’m getting it right now. “This is just the beginning.”
And he ain’t just talking about the football season.
Lilly 5.
For the love of all that is holy! My phone buzzes incessantly on the corner of my desk. Face down.
With a huff of impatience, I flip it over, ignore the dozen missed calls, and open my messages. What is his deal?
Conner:I understand you are upset, perhaps it’s close to your time of the month. I believe the last week apart was good for us. However, I have already apologized for my behavior, though I do not believe I did anything wrong. I will give you until Monday to get over your snit, then we will meet for dinner to discuss us like adults.
Conner:Ignoring my calls and messages is childish, Lilly.
Conner:Take some Midol, eat some chocolate, and behave like an adult.
Conner:Monday, 6pm, Lion Ale House. DO NOT BE LATE.
“AHHHHH!” I scream, pushing my phone away, then shaking my fists. GOD! How did I not know he was like this? I called him Monday night after I got home from work. I told him that I have enjoyed our time together, but I believe it has come to an end. We want different things out of life, blah, blah, blah. I tried to be as polite and kind as I could, snapping my mouth shut to hold back the clichéd,It’s not you, it's me.
It sure the hell is him! I’m delightful. He was reserved on the phone, claimed he understood, and disconnected the call. As far as breakups go…it was only my second in all my 26 years and I was dumped the first time, so I think it went ok. But I didn’t have any sense of closure. Of course, I didn’t, because according to Conner, we haven’t broken up!
“Lilly!” Jenna stands in my doorway, her eyes darting wildly over every inch of my office. “Are you ok?”
“Shoot. Sorry. Yes.” I screamed in my office! Where people can hear me. Geez, get a grip, Lilly. “Just working through something.” Jenna’s body deflates, and she rolls her eyes as she takes a seat in front of my desk.
“We’ll talk about that soon. Right now, we have a problem.”
“Oh, goody,” I deadpan.
“You know who did it?” I ask after Jenna has laid it all out. Daya Moul is being harassed. She had two incidents this past weekend after the game, and today on her way into practice.
“Yes.”
I eye my friend for a moment, then sigh. “But you don’t have proof.”
“It’s Shaye. Lilly, I know it.”
“I don’t doubt you. But there’s nothing we can do without concrete evidence.” I bite back a groan when my phone vibrates again. Jenna looks at it, then arches a brow in question at me. I shake my head and lean back in my seat, closing my eyes. “First Heacock. Now Daya. Anything else?”
Jenna gasps, jumping up in alarm, her arms waving about. “Why would you put that into the universe? What is wrong with you?” I start laughing and then I can’t stop. I needed this. I finally getcontrol of myself to find Jenna back in her seat staring at me expectantly.
“No.” I don’t want to talk about it.
“Tough shit.” She slyly lifts her hand, her fingers nearly touching the back of my phone. I try to snatch it before she does but darn her athletic speed. I’m a desk jockey and apparently slow as molasses. I grimace while she reads the text previews on my screen. Her face flushes, eyes narrow.
