“Maddox, it’s late.Are you drunk?”
“Sober as a judge.Listen, Laurie.I can’t go into too many details, but my girlfriend and I need a place to stay tonight.Our places aren’t safe.”
“My God, what happened?”
“I… I…”
Fuck.I need to come up with something believable, but I can’t tell her the truth.Something just serious enough to get her to open her doors, but not so terrifying that she hangs up and blocks my number.
“It’s… There’s this stalker.An ex-employee of my father’s.Got really screwed over by the HOUSE Act.I’ve already reported him to the police, but I’ve received all sorts of threatening messages from him.The cops suggested I find a place to spend the night where he wouldn’t think to look for me, and I thought… You know, given our history…”
“You figured no one would ever ask their ex for a place to stay.”She chuckles humorlessly.“I suppose that makes sense.”
“So can we crash with you?I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
“Maddox, of course you can stay here.But probably best to limit it to one night, all right?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.Thank you so much.You’re really helping us out here.”
“Yes.You mentioned a girlfriend?”
“Yeah… I hope that’s not a problem?”
She chuckles.“Of course not.I just need to know if you’ll need separate beds.It sounds like I can put you both up in my guest room.It’s a queen that you can share.”
The word “queen” rattles me a bit, but I steady myself.
“Yeah, that’s fine.”I sigh.“If I’d known when I woke up this morning that I’d be asking Laurie Caulkins for a favor…”
“It’s actually Laurie Guildford now.”
“Shit.You got married?”
“It’s been over a decade, Maddox.Of course I got married.”
“Well, congrats.”
“You can congratulate me in person.When can you get here?”
“You still live in Evanston?”
“Yeah.I’ll text you my address.”
I check my watch.“We can get to you in a half hour or so.”
“Great.I’ll make sure the dog is outside so you don’t get attacked.”
“Great.Thanks again, Laurie.”
“Don’t mention it.Drive safe.”
“Will do.See you soon.”
I end the call.Laurie sent me her address, so I plug it into my Maps app.
“Who’s Laurie?”Alissa asks.
I draw in a long breath.“An old…friend.”
