Standing There (Love in the Park 1)

I wash off and get out because I have a lot of security issues to handle, then a concert in the park with my sister. Shit, I forgot I have to pack for my work trip in the morning. After slipping on some shorts and a tee shirt, I make coffee and look for some food. I should hire a cook or something, but I’m not going to do that yet because maybe Lindsay likes to cook. Soon this will be her kitchen to do whatever she wants. I’ll let her make that choice. See, I’ve already laid out the future. As soon as this fucker is caught, I’m going to come clean with her, steal her heart, and fill her up with my babies. Damn, this is hell. Thinking about her, learning about her, falling in love with her all from a fucking safe distance.

The past three weeks have been a mix of hell and pleasure. Ever since I saw her picture, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to stay away from her. I had to know her. I had to protect her. Fuck, I felt torn between breaking my rule and getting mixed up with a client or fucking going against the client’s wishes. He doesn’t want her to know about the stalker’s release, but I feel she should know. Then again, I don’t want to see the pain in her eyes.

The day of the graduation, I fucked up and almost blew my cover just to say hello to her. My man interrupted my walk, stopping me from going to her. “What the fuck are you doing?” he said. I didn’t get pissed because he was right. You don’t risk your cover.

After that, I stayed away. As hard as it’s been, I had to keep my distance. If I had to be there, I would have caved. They’ve even gone ahead and stopped telling me where she’s going because they know there’s a huge chance I might show up.

Tonight, I’m actually taking the night off to take my sister out to a concert in the park. It’s a festival that happens every year, the Taste of Crest Hill. I’m sure my thoughts will be on Lindsay, and I’ll be looking for her everywhere. It’s what I do all the damn time. From the grocery store to my office lobby and even my house, I picture her there. I’m fucking too damn obsessed. Not like this fucker though, I could never imagine hurting her. He needs a bullet to his nuts first, then a few cuts before getting the business between the eyes. If he comes near her, nothing will save him from me. Nothing.

I go into my kitchen for a cup of coffee. It’s three in the afternoon, but I love coffee. The doorbell rings, checking the phone surveillance, I see it’s my little sister and my dad. I walk to the door, then let them in. “About time,” Casey complains like a typical teenage sister. I’ve gone through two of those already.

I bow mockingly. “Excuse me, madam. My house isn’t small. What brings you here so soon?” She’s not supposed to be coming for another two hours. That cut out one more fantasy of Lindsay tonight. I’m like a crack fiend or something. I haven’t seen her in a week, and it’s fucking painful.

“Your mother and I have a date, and I didn’t want her coming on her own,” my dad fills me in.

And the whining begins in 3…2…1

“I’m seventeen, Dad. I have my own car even though you have excuses for me not to drive it most of the time. I could have come by myself.” I knew it. She’s as typical as they come, but I love her.

“You’ve crashed twice.”

“Fender benders,” she contests.

“It doesn’t matter.”

I break it up before she gets really pissy and doesn’t want to go which will likely happen. “Anyways…it’s cool. I have that movie you wanted to watch. We can see it before we leave.”

“Yay,” she squeals, clapping her hands together like she’s a little kid. I know she has a crush on the actor. I shake my head and chuckle.

“I wanted to have a word with you about tonight.” Oh no. The way that came off, I know my dad has something shitty to tell me. “I need you to meet with the mayor while you’re there.”

Yep, shitty it is.

Chapter 2

Lindsay

It’s mad how packed the park is. Every year there’s the annual Taste of Crest Hill, but this year they have a Beatles tribute band called, Standing There. We search for a parking space in the lots they set up for the event. It’s a large festival at the end of every summer. People from outside the area come in to enjoy the music and food. We have our lawn chairs to sit, but I know the second the band comes on, we’ll ditch them for the stage. I came here with my best friend Katherine because we love the Beatles and saw this posted online.