CHAPTER TEN
Stalked on All Sides
I bit my lips as she asked the heavy questions again.
“Would he be willing to help you with this?”
“I don’t really feel comfortable asking him
that.”Why not? You’ve known him as long as you’ve known me. You two are super close. I’m sure he’d do it for you.”
“Maybe, but you don’t know my mom. She wouldn’t be satisfied with dating. She won’t really leave me alone until I’m married. I’m not going to ask Dylan to marry me.”
At least, not when it’s not real. I couldn’t ask that of him, especially given my very real feelings for him.
Shut up, Kenzy. You’re ignoring those feelings, remember? Dylan is your friend.
“I suppose that is a bit much to ask. What’s going on with you and Luke anyway? You haven’t said a word about him in days. Usually, you never shut up about him.”
I can feel my face going red. “We kind of had a fight.”
Let me guess. He’s not happy that you’re still investigating him?”
“Not at all. Do you think I’m doing the right thing? Should I back off?”
“No way. I know Dylan. There’s nothing worse for him than keeping secrets. Remember when I planned that surprise birthday party for you? He was miserable for
weeks, not telling you. The sooner you find out what he feels he can’t tell you, then the happier he’ll be.”
“That’s what I think too.” My doubts soothed, I reach for my phone. Still no message from Dylan. Maybe it’s time for me to break the silence.
Kenzy: Dylan, I’m sorry about what happened. I miss you. Can we meet up:
There’s no response. I see that the message is read, but Dylan doesın’t reply. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying not to think the unimaginable.
What if I’ve really pushed him too hard? What if he’s willing to end our friendship to keep his secret?
I don’t know what I’ll do without him.
***************
It’s only as I’m taking my lunch break later that day that my phone pings again. I hesitate, wondering if I should look at it.
It’s probably my mom or Raymond.
He can be bullheaded when he wants something, and I wouldn’t put it past him to get a new number just so that he can keep trying to convince me to come back to him.
I feel like I’m being stalked on all sides.
Between my mom and Raymond, I can’t get any peace.
Maybe I should ignore the message. It’s probably the… Or it could be Dylan.
It’s that thought alone that has me checking my phone. To my delight, I see Dylan’s name.
“Hey, it’s ok. I know you could never let a mystery die. That’s one of the things I love about you, how passionate you are. It’s just difficult when I know what’ll happen once you find out.”Dylan said
I try not to stare at the word’ love’. I know Dylan just means the love of a friend, but it still has my heart fluttering.
“What will happen?” I replied
“You’ll cut all contact and never speak to me again.”
He said. The words hit me like a slap. How could Dylan think I would abandon him like that, especially after learning what has been causing him so much internal turmoil?
“I would never do that.”
“If you didn’t, it would be worse. If you stayed, you would be in constant danger.” He replied
I hesitate, unsure how to respond. The last thing I want is another blow up.
“Dylan… are you involved in something illegal?
Because if you are, Hannah can help you.” I responded
“Kenzy… It’s nothing like that. Trust me, you don’t want to be involved.” Dylan replied
“We’ll see. Can I see you?” I questioned
“How about lunch tomorrow?” He suggested
“Great!”
I know I have a silly grin on my face as I put my phone back in my bag.
Lunch tomorrow suddenly seems like a long way away. I don’t know how I’m going to wait that long.
***
I wave as I see Dylan, resisting the urge to get up and shout his name. He sees me and comes over, smiling broadly.
“Kenzy. It’s good to see you.”
You too.” I’m not sure which of us moves first, but suddenly Dylan and I are hugging.
I can’t be the only one squeezing just a little bit harder than usual, holding on just a little bit longer.
When we break away, I can tell my face is flushed, but Dylan doesn’t mention it. We quickly get drawn into conversation, both avoiding the topic of our previous fight.
Dylan knows that I can’t go against my nature and let a mystery go. I know that I can’t hope to make him happy about it.
It’s not like we don’t have anything to talk about. Dylan is so easy to talk to, and I find myself opening up to him in ways I haven’t with anyone else.
I know it’s over with Raymond, and in many ways, it’s a relief, but I still miss him, you know? I don’t think it’s even him I’m missing – it’s just having another person to lean on, to hold me while I go to sleep and tell me everything is going to be ok.
Dylan’s expression softens into sympathy. “I know it must be hard. You were with him for a long time. It’s ok to miss him.”
“I just feel like it’s stupid. I should hate him for what he did to me – and I do, in some ways, but in others, he’s just Raymond. He’s my home – or at least, he was.”
It’s not stupid. Someday, you’ll find someone who will love and respect you as you deserve, but for now, it’s ok to grieve.”
I’m on the brink of telling him about my disastrous breakup sex with Raymond, but my phone rings. I want to ignore it, but I see that it’s an unknown number. I have to answer unknown numbers because of my job
– it could be a source called “Hello?
“Kenzy! I’ve been trying to get hold of you. I think your phone must be broken or something.”
I grit my teeth. “Raymond, I told you to stop calling me -”
“Listen, I called your mother, and she said she’d love to have us over for dinner. Would tomorrow work for you?”
“Raymond! Get this through your head! We are not together anymore. You have no right to call my family and arrange dinner dates. Just leave me alone.”
“Don’t be like that. I know you’re mad, but this temper tantrum has gone on long enough, it’s time-”
Dylan snatches the phone out of my hand.
“Shut up,” he growls. He sounds so fierce that his tone sends a thrill of fear through me, even though I’m not the one it’s directed at. “If you ever call her again, I’ll kill you.
“Do you understand? I will rip your heart out through your throat and eat it if you ever even think of contacting Kenzy again. Do you understand me!” The roar from his voice sends a cold thrill down my body and I wonder if he is actually going to do that!