Putting her phone down on the nightstand, she stripped and grabbed one of Tyler’s t-shirts. Slipping it on, it came to mid-thigh and could easily fit two of her in it. Laying down in bed after shutting the light off, she heard Rowdy drop down onto the floor. Laughing at how he sounded like he just collapsed, she whispered, “Night Rowdy”, before she fell into a fitful sleep.
Chapter 16
When Friday rolled around and Keeley still hadn’t heard from the guys, other than the text they sent her to say they got there safe and they loved her, she was trying not to worry, but it was hard. Having not spoken to them since they left on Tuesday was hard for her, but at least she had Rowdy for company, so she wasn’t isolated and alone when she wasn’t working.
As she was about to leave for lunch, her desk phone rang. Picking it up, she was surprised by the menacing voice on the other end. “Bitch, you and those hound dogs better leave my Emily alone. She’s mine and you need to back off!” He yelled the last part at her, before hanging up. Still in shock, she jumped when Dane and Coop walked by her office, laughing about something.
“You alright, kid?” Coop asked her.
Shaking her head and taking a deep breath, she prepared to tell them about the phone call. “I think Emily’s stalker just called.”
“WHAT!” They exploded at the same time, coming towards her. “Are you alright?” Dane asked. Nodding her head, she explained everything the man had said.
“Shit. When was the last time you spoke to Emily? I haven’t heard from her since our initial meeting, Wednesday morning,” Coop said.
“I talked to her yesterday and she was fine; spooked, but otherwise fine. Do you think she’s ok?”
“We’ll go check on her, see how she’s doing. Why don’t you call Kennedy and the two of you can start your girls’ night early,” Dane suggested. Nodding her head, she grabbed her stuff, while they went to their offices. Worried about Emily, Keeley sent her a quick text.
K: Everything ok?
E: Fine. Why, what’s wrong?
K: Nothing. Just wanted to check in. Call me if you need me. Or the guys.
E: Thanks, I will.
K: Hey, you should come to girls’ night tonight, I’m leaving now, I can swing by and pick you up. Cheesy movies and junk food! You know you wanna ;)
E: I don’t want to intrude.
K: You won’t. I’ll be there in 15! :D
Feeling better knowing Emily won’t be alone, she walked to Dane and Coop’s office. “Hey guys, I’m going to pick Emily up on my way home. She’s coming for girls’ night.”
“Is that a good idea? For all we know this guy has gone off his rocker and might try something.” Coop worried.
“It’s fine. I have Rowdy, and we’ll call if we get scared or something happens.
Sighing because they knew she wouldn’t give in, they both nodded their heads and told her to have fun. Saying goodbye, she sent a quick text to Kennedy telling her of the change in plans.
*******
Pulling up to Emily’s house, Keeley honked the horn twice and waited for her to come out. A couple minutes later, Emily was out the door and locking it. Running to Keeley’s SUV with a smile on her face, she jumped in and exclaimed, “Thank you so much for this. I’ve never had a girls’ night before. I’m really excited.” Her smile and laughter was infectious, and soon they were laughing like old friends.
“Kennedy will be meeting us at my house in a couple hours,” she told her, starting the drive back home. Pulling into the driveway, Keeley smiled when Rowdy jumped off the porch swing. She had tried to leave him inside every day, but he refused to go in when she left for work. He was one very stubborn dog. After that first morning, she thought she would come home to a missing dog, but as far as she knew he didn’t stray too far. He always sat on the porch when she left, and was on the swing when she came home. It gave her a sense of relief knowing he was here, protecting the house, when she and the guys couldn’t be.
Getting out she noticed Emily looked weary about him. Trying to comfort the other woman, she told her, “He’s a rescue. Very sweet though. I haven’t even heard him bark yet. He also seems to be quite the ladies man.” Smiling and laughing because he was now laying on the ground inching his way to Emily. whining, and with what she could only describe as a smile on his face. Stopping a foot away from Emily, Rowdy rolled over to his back, paws up, wanting her to rub his belly.
Relief washed through her when Emily walked closer and started to rub his belly. Laughing when he licked her hand, she looked to Keeley. “He’s just a big baby, isn’t he?” She cooed to him.
Shaking her head at Rowdy’s antics she made her way to the door, unlocking it and walking in, leaving it open for them. Going straight to her room to change into shorts and a tank top, she marveled at how much her life had changed in the last month. She had friends, two very protective pseudo big brothers, and she was in a relationship with two of the most handsome and devoted men she’d ever met. For the first time she could remember, she was happy and free. Her self-esteem was at an all-time high. She wouldn’t say she was over what happened in her life before meeting Nathaniel and Tyler, but she was confident that she would at least have a happy life, and be able to move forward.
Hearing Rowdy bounding up the stairs, she started to make her way towards him and head back down. Entering the kitchen, Emily was just sitting on a stool looking around in awe. “This is a very gorgeous kitchen, I bet you love cooking in here!”
“I will admit it’s one of my favorite rooms in the house.” Keeley told her, making her way to the fridge to pull out the platters she had made the previous evening, for tonight. When her phone dinged, she went back to the entryway to retrieve it from her purse. Looking at it she saw two texts from the guys. Opening the one from Nathaniel first, she smiled.
N: Missing you like crazy, should be home Sunday. Love you <3