Izzy.
“Why the fuck would she leave? What the hell did you do, Link?”
I hang up the phone, not wanting to face that answer right now. I pushed her away, but now, I’m going to go get her back.
“Rogue, I need you to tell King that I had to get back. It’s a fucking emergency.”
“I’m riding with you. Ain’t leaving a brother exposed.” He rises from the table. “I’ll find King and let him know while you go take some deep breaths and pack your shit. We don’t want you crashin’ out on that highway.”
He’s right. I need to get my nerves under control. I’ve got an eighteen-hour drive in front me. Too many fucking seconds away from my girl.
17
Shayna
“Okay, so these aren’t as good as yours, but I tried.”
Izzy places a plate of chocolate chip cookies down on the table, and my stomach churns. I can’t eat anything. My appetite disappeared the night Link broke my heart, and it’s not even budging in the presence of my favorite treat: chocolate chip cookies.
“God, why the hell won’t he just leave me alone,” Izzy sighs, looking at her ringing phone. The thing has been going off every twenty minutes. It’s like the doctor goes in to handle a patient and then comes right back out to harass my friend. It’s almost getting a little concerning.
“Is that the doctor again?”
“Yes.” She nods, exasperated. “I’ve blocked him a dozen times. I don’t understand how he’s still getting through.”
“He’s probably using one of those apps that generates new phone numbers.” I hold my hand out for her to pass it to me.“Let me see if I can figure out a way to block all unknown numbers.” Right as she hands it over, the thing buzzes with a text.
Unknown Number: Why won’t you answer my calls? I need to talk to you, Izabelle. I told you I’m not in love with her anymore. You need to believe me.
As I’m reading his first message, another one chimes in.
Unknown Number: You know how good it is between us, babe. It’s never been like that with anyone else. And don’t pretend like you don’t need me. I know how desperate you are for my dick. I still have every single text message you’ve ever sent. All the times you begged your doctor to prescribe a remedy for your ache. God, I still think about that first time I examined you.
Jesus, this guy has a problem. And when another text comes in, I’m officially alarmed and ready to dial the police.
Unknown Number: I’m coming over and if you don’t let me in, I’m going to break that door down and remind that little pussy how hard she likes to be fucked. You better be ready to open up those legs, Izabelle, because I’m done with these games.
“Um… I think you should file a restraining order.” I swallow hard, handing her back her phone so she can read her texts. Now, I’m officially concerned and think that the guy is a complete stalker.
“I um…” Her cheeks are bright red now; I hope that’s not because she’s turned on by what he wrote. “I don’t want to ruin his career. And what would I even say? My ex is sending me texts saying he wants to fuck me?”
“He’s threatening to break down your door. He’s psychotic, Izz.”
The expression on her face doesn’t look like she disagrees with me, but knowing her, she’s not going to go to the police.She’s too nice. And whether she wants to admit it or not, she still loves him.
“Do you think I should call his wife or send her screenshots of these texts?”
“No!” I practically shriek. The last thing you need is a jealous, crazy soon-to-be ex harassing you too.”
She nods, knowing I’m right. “Then what can I do to get him to stop?”
“Tell him you’ll file a restraining order if he doesn’t stop. Or…” An idea pops into my head. “You can tell him you’ve moved on and are seeing someone else.”
There’s suddenly a pounding on her door and we both are yelping in fright. He’s here. What was he doing, texting her from the parking lot?
“Let me get it,” I tell her. I’ll make sure he never harasses my friend again.
My mouth is fired up, ready to launch into the asshole as I open the door, but there’s a different asshole standing before me. The one who decided to rip my heart out of my chest and squash it between his bare hands. The pain rushes right back in and tears sting my eyes, threatening to weaken me again. I thought I’d never get them to stop, but Izzy’s crazy stalker managed to distract me from the pain.
