Page 51 of The Brickwall and the Bombshell

Mack

Thanks.

Me

It was a nice save on the series and you had some good plays. That out you threw to second was a game changer.

Mack

It was a team effort. Owen was throwing heat tonight and their bullpen gave our bats a chance to shine in those last two innings.

I love that about him. Even though he can be so cocky sometimes, he’s also humble and never misses a chance to praise the people around him.

People think of Ross as the team captain, which he is, but Mack is like second in command and he’s so good at communicating with his team and rallying the troops. Not only is he aggressive as a defender, his batting skills are impressive. And the mental support he brings is invaluable. I’ve seen him walk out to the mound and completely turn an inning around—going from bases loaded to that final out to win a game. He’s incredible.

Me

Well, it was a great game and it kept me busy taking stats and notes. I appreciate the distraction. I swear these walls are starting to close in on me and the food from the vending machines is no longer appetizing.

Me

And all I have in my desk is a cup of ramen and two bags of pretzels.

Me

And I’m so tired all I can think about is crawling into bed and sleeping for at least eight hours.

It’s not that I haven’t pulled all-nighters while working here. I’ve done plenty, but they’re usually adrenaline-fueled nights due to bad weather or major news events. Tonight is slow on all fronts. And the longer I’m here, the more I think this is stupid and I should just go back to my apartment, which isn’t far.

Now that the stalker can’t track me with my phone and I have someone on patrol who would follow me home, it’s probably okay—

Mack

If I get to town and your fine ass isn’t safe and secure in that station waiting for me, there’s going to be consequences for your actions, Reporter.

Have I also mentioned he’s bossy and demanding, and quite possibly a mind reader?

Speaking of minds, I can’t help the filthy direction mine goes, wondering about all the delicious consequences he’s threatening me with.

An hour later, when I’m still sitting at my desk, willing my eyes to stay open and finding myself drifting off every now and then, someone calls out my name from the doorway of the newsroom.

“Greer, you’ve got a delivery.”

Blinking my eyes, I squint at the clock on my computer. It’s a little after one o’clock in the morning.

Who on earth would be sending me something? And what?

My mind immediately goes to my stalker, wondering if this is a new tactic. Since he can no longer track my phone or hack into my personal information, he’s decided to make contact by sending me something.

The thought makes me lightheaded even though I’m sitting down, and my hands tremble as I let my mind run wild.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Charles, one of our producers, says as he approaches my desk. “Just looks like grilled cheese and soup from the place down the street.”

About that time, my new phone dings with an incoming message and I grab it so fast I almost drop it. I don’t know what I expect, maybe a message from the person who’s been terrorizing me for the last few weeks. But it’s not, and instead, it’s someone who was equally as unexpected, but in a completely different way.

Mack

Sent you some food and I just got notification it was delivered. Didn’t want you to starve before I got there.

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