“Yeah, I know, but I don’t want to worry her. She’s got a lot going on right now with school and she’s about to start traveling with us on the weekends. Thank Christ for that. I wouldn’t be able to leave town if she didn’t come with us.”
Silence.
“Listen, I wasn’t insulting your ability to watch out for her man; I’m just fucking going crazy thinking about how something might happen to her.”
Silence.
“She’s coming here tonight and I’m going home with her. I’ll take her to school tomorrow. Can you get her after class? Oh yeah, tomorrow night is a new place. I know the layout, but you might want to come with her.”
Silence.
“Yeah, I’ll bring it to you tomorrow morning. Thanks, man.”
He hangs up. When he sees me, panic washes over his face. I cross my arms over my chest and plant myself in place. I raise my eyes, waiting on an explanation.
He sighs loudly and throws his head back. “How much did you hear?”
“Start from the beginning and I’ll let you know where I walked in.”
“Sparkle, I’m not sure-”
“Don’t you dare! You tell me right now or I’ll turn around and leave.”
“I was talking to Finn.”
“That much I know.” I shoot back angrily.
“The threats haven’t stopped. This morning, I found a note on your car in front of my house.”
“What did it say?” I soften my tone. I’m starting to get crept out.
“’BITCH’ in what looks like fingernail polish. But the way the polish dribbled down the paper, it looked like something out of a horror movie.”
“What else aren’t you telling me?”
He lets out another breath. “I’ve been getting weird, suggestive text messages and hang ups at the house. None of them have been traceable so far.”
“Weird how? Show me.” I walk over to him and motion to his phone.
“I really don’t want to; they’re gross.”
I stare at him again waiting.
“Before you see them, I want you to know that none of them are real. I’m not sure where this sick fuck is getting them, but there’s even one with an apa. I know it’s not me because the piercing’s not the same. I have never changed my barbell and very few people have actually seen it.”
He scrolls through his messages and shows me at least a dozen pornographic images of different poses and sexual positions. He shows me the picture with the piercing and I laugh out loud.
“You’re right; that’s definitely not you.” I cover my mouth. This is not a good time to be laughing.
“You’re not completely freaked out?”
“I guess I should be, but I’m more pissed at you and Finn. I can’t believe you guys kept this from me. Don’t do it again.”
“I’m sorry; I wanted to protect you. I was hoping to find this fucker so you wouldn’t have to worry anymore.” I can hear the shame in his voice.
I lean in and kiss him to let him know we’re okay. I don’t want him to know how freaked out I am inside. But I’m worried about him, not me.
“Baby,” he says against my lips. “Out of curiosity, would you have known that wasn’t my dick if I hadn’t told you?”