Sweet Taboo

Me: No, but thanks for the offer. I’m going to stay with a friend.

Annie: I’m a friend. You could stay with me.

I laughed,fully expecting that response. She lived across the street from Trent. How would that even work?

Me: It’s okay. I’m going to be in hiding for a bit. I’m not sure I’m supposed to tell anyone since that could blow my location and we have no idea who’s threatening me.

Annie: Well, you can’t think it’s me.

Of course I didn’t,but that didn’t mean I was going to tell her I was staying with D. Divulging that tidbit would only cause more stress. After all, her husband was still friendly with my ex.

Annie: Where the hell else would you go?

I was fully preparedto change the subject, but she was far too fast with her fingers this morning.

Annie: OMG. You’re staying with a guy. Who? Tell me!

Me: That’s a hard no from me.

Glancing out the window,I saw the police moving down my driveway and crossing the street to speak with my neighbors. Dear God. And although I was thrilled to see they were taking this seriously, I was also a little bothered. How long was I going to be stuck here?

My phone rang and I realized Annie was less than satisfied with my answer. “Yes?” I answered with a sigh.

“I know you didn’t think that was going to end our discussion, right?” Annie grumbled.

“A girl can dream,” I joked. I sank down in my desk chair. This could take a while.

“Who are you staying with?” Her question was direct and demanding.

“I can’t tell you.” I bit my lip and waited. This wouldn’t be the end of the discussion. Annie wouldn’t give up. She never did.

She gasped. “You think I’m a gossip.”

And there it was. “No, but you tell your husband everything. And he is…”

The words hung in between us for a few seconds. She wasn’t denying his character. There was that.

“Well, I don’t need you to tell me. I bet I can figure it out,” she huffed. “I mean, you wouldn’t just go stay with anyone. And honestly, I don’t see any other woman taking on this kind of mess.”

I rubbed my forehead. She wasn’t wrong. I didn’t know many females who’d welcome me into their home with all my drama.

“So, I’m guessing it’s a guy.” I could hear her pacing on the tile floor in her kitchen. “And I don’t see you running to the arms of some strange guy. You barely know any to begin with.” Annie sounded almost giddy.

“I really need to get going. Good talk,” I announced, hoping to end the call.

“Wait. Is it the security guard from the mall? Did you run into him again?” She whistled. “I’d have paid to see that reunion. He broke your heart! You told me you two broke up because he had the nerve to knock up his wife.” Sarcasm practically dripped from her voice.

I’d had enough. She meant well, but she could get me killed, if the person followed through on the threat painted on my house. “I’m hanging up now. I need to get going. We’ll talk soon.” Then I pushed the red button to end the call and forced myself to stand. As I stared out the window, scanning the area, I saw the police had moved onto another house and were on the porch talking to an older woman. I returned to packing the necessities from the office.

Soon the police entered through the front door. They were different from the ones who had been here the night before. This time, an older black officer walked over to my desk to speak with me. “Do you know anyone who owns a big black truck with a really loud sound system?”

I nodded sadly. “You just described my ex-husband’s vehicle perfectly. What about it?”

The officer pointed to the house across the street where I’d just seen them speaking with a neighbor. “Miss Abby says she has seen that truck going up and down the road several times a week ever since you moved in. Does he know where you live?”

“I didn’t think he did.” I frowned. “Of course, I did have an old friend over. She probably told her husband and they’re friends.” I didn’t feel so much vindicated as I did disappointed.

"Well, we’ll add this to our report. After all, this is a dead end street. There’s no reason for him to be driving by.” The officer scribbled into his notes. He spoke after stuffing his notes into his pocket. “I think we have everything we need here,” he announced. "You can make repairs on the home whenever you are ready."

"Thank you, officer," I said. "I guess I'm going to move out for a few days while we tried to get all of this sorted.”

"I know this is rough, but you're lucky to have some support to get through this." He took a step back and nodded at me before turning and walking toward the door. "We'll be leaving now. I hope you plan to leave soon too. Your friend made it clear that you shouldn't be left alone."

I smiled slightly. I had to admit it was pretty nice having somebody worrying over me a little bit; it made me feel like I didn't have to worry so much for myself. "Thank you. I'm ready to go actually. I'll just lock up behind us and be on my way."

Within minutes, I was driving toward the address I had been given in the text message from D. The closer I came to his house, the more I worried over how I would be received by the rest of his family. I'd seen the look Arionna had been giving me during tae kwon do class. And the last thing I needed was to create strife for someone who had been nothing but nice to me, aside from the time he broke my heart.