Page 54 of Snapping the Ice
And it had been the first time I’d seen his controlling side. After drinking too much tequila, he’d become aggressive toward me at a bar, assuming I had stared at another man for too long.
I opened my mouth, and then I clenched my teeth. No, I had to keep quiet. Maybe then he’d leave, and I wouldn’t have to deal with the cops.
“I know you’re in there. I saw your car around the corner.” He tapped on the door with something. The bat, maybe? “It would be a shame if someone vandalized it. This isn’t the best neighborhood.”
“Fuck.” He wouldn’t, would he? “Tate, leave me alone or I’ll call the police!” Should I record this? I yanked my phone from my pocket and turned on the video camera. Hopefully, it would detect his voice from behind the door. “You need to leave, now, Tate.” I waited, shifting my stance.
No sounds came through.
Was he gone? I pursed my lips. Of course, as soon as I started videoing he’d leave. I stood recording for a few long minutes and silence crowded the studio. Slumping my shoulders, I ambled to my desk and dropped into the chair.
My phone blared in my hand.
I jumped. “Holy shit.” Holding the phone to my face, I read the screen.Lucasscrolled across the top. My jumbled heart warmed. “L-Lucas?”
“Hey, Ezra. We just got into Denver. How are you? Did you get the order of protection?”
I wouldn’t worry him. With a trembling hand, I brushed a lock of hair from my shoulder. “I did. It went smoothly and Tate was served.” Fuck, why did I blurt that out?
“He was? How do you know? I guess the court notified you then?”
“Um…” I’d totally forgotten they would have sent me a text about it. “Oh, yes, I got a text.” I set the phone on speaker and opened my text messages.
334598
This is the Scottsdale Municipal Court AZPOINT notification system. Your order has been served.
There it was. I had been so engrossed in my work that I didn’t notice it. “Are you ready for your next game?” I’d change the subject. Then I could resist revealing what had just happened. I glanced at the door. But what if the asshole was fucking up my car?
“Sure am. I’ll be on it tonight. I won’t fuck up like last night.”
Had it been because of me? We hadn’t talked about it in our quick call last night. “Lucas, I hope what’s going on here isn’t causing problems for you.” I brushed my fingers over the edge of my keypad.
“Shit, I didn’t want to bring this up, but I want to be straight with you.” He let out a long exhale. “I have to admit, I was worried about you in the beginning. I can’t have my phonewith me in the game and I was worried you might call or text?—”
“Please, don’t worry about me, Lucas. The police are aware of the situation, and I think Tate got the message. Okay?” My chest squeezed.Lies, all fucking lies. Maybe I’d come clean with him when he got home? But then what would he think of me?
“Ezra, you’d tell me if he showed up, even with the order in place, right?”
I swallowed through a lump in my throat. “Of course,” I croaked. Fuck.
“Ezra?” His voice lifted. “I can take it.”
I inhaled deeply, gathering my strength. “I’d tell you.” My eyes stung. It was better for him if he didn’t know, even if I had to lie.
“Okay. Well, I’ll be home soon, and let me know if anything happens.”
“I will. Win your game tonight.” I forced a smile. “I’ll be watching.”
“Oh, we’ll win.” He chuckled. “Miss you.”
“Miss you too.” I swiped at my eyes. He didn’t deserve my fucked-up situation. “Bye.”
“Bye now.”
I hung up the call and swiveled to my desk. It was quiet for now, and I didn’t have time to deal with the cops. I’d keep editing, and if my car was damaged, then I’d call.
I’d successfully DoorDashed food to the studio for lunch and dinner without run-ins with Tate. Maybe he’d finally given up. I sent off an email to Jessica, the Firebirds PR person I worked with, giving her access to a Google drive containing all thephotos for the calendar. Then I left the studio as night fell, orange and turquoise hues painting the sky. The cooler night air whispered against my skin as I strolled to my car, my head on a swivel for any sign of Tate.
