Neon Yellow: Obsessive Adhesives (7 page)

"I've been thinking...” Spencer took a deep breath and decided to get it over with, quick and painless, like pulling off a Band-Aid. “We shouldn't see each other anymore."

"That just means you probably shouldn't think.” Jason moved the chair so that his knees were touching Spencer's. “Why? Did you get another note?"

Spencer felt a spark shoot through him where their knees met. If just a knee touching him could illicit such a response, what would Jason's naked body pressed against him evoke? Spencer shook his head; no use thinking about what would never happen.

"Doesn't matter if I got another note.” Spencer grabbed his coffee mug and stood. “We're too different, why waste the time when it won't last?” He walked toward the lunch room, knowing what he was doing was for the best. Jason's safety was paramount. Spencer would never forgive himself if something happened to the man because of him.

Of course Jason followed him into the lunch room. He'd been half expecting that. What he hadn't expected was being slammed against the door and kissed soundly, with Jason's hard body pressed against him. His hands were on Jason's back, pulling him closer, the note falling to the floor.

"Now the truth,” Jason growled.

Spencer tried to regain his composure after that fucking fantastic kiss. “I-” Spencer noticed that the note had fallen from his hand and bent to pick it up, cursing as Jason reached it first. “Don't!"

"Don't what? Don't read the note that's got my boyfriend so worked up that he wants to dump me before we've even given a relationship a try?” Jason smiled and took a step backward, away from Spencer. “Nice try, but I'm not very happy with this joker."

Spencer took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes, knowing he had some explaining to do. But hearing the words ‘boyfriend’ and ‘relationship’ gave him some much needed courage. “I don't think he's joking."

Jason looked up from the note. “Why? Has something happened?"

"Isn't what the note says enough?” Spencer put his glasses back on. “He was
watching
us."

"Has he
done
anything?” Jason asked, his voice and eyes hard. “He has, hasn't he?"

"Yes,” Spencer whispered. “The coffee mug on my desk is from my house. I didn't bring it in. And...” Spencer didn't want to say it. The thought of someone else in his bed still royally creeped him out.

"And?” Jason prompted, his voice a lot gentler.

"I think he was in my bed."

Jason's arm slipped around Spencer's shoulders and, despite the fact that anybody could walk into the lunch room, Spencer let himself be drawn into Jason's embrace. “Why didn't you call me?"

Spencer tensed. “Because I am capable of taking care of myself. I'm not some damsel in distress."

"I didn't say you were.” Jason released Spencer and ran his thumb under Spencer's eyes. “But you didn't sleep?"

"No.” Spencer leaned into the touch. He couldn't explain why he felt so comfortable around Jason. “I couldn't sleep in a bed that smelled like someone else. I stayed on the couch."

"And tonight?"

Another night on the couch didn't appeal to Spencer, but he didn't think he could sleep in his bed—even if he sterilized the bedding. He didn't have many options available. A room at a hotel seemed a waste of money. “More of the same I guess."

Jason nodded. “You phoned the cops? What did they say?"

"I didn't.” Spencer held up his hand to cut off any remarks from Jason. “Did you really expect me to call the police and have them rush to my house because my sheets smell funny? I'd rather not be brunt of jokes at the police station."

Jason rubbed his hand across his eyes and sighed. “Love, they have to take all accusations seriously. They'd have taken fingerprints, maybe. Or taken the sheets away for analysis; God knows what else the sick fuck did.” He took two coffee mugs out of the cupboard and poured two coffees, adding three sugars to each one, then milk. “And after this note, you'd better start taking it seriously, too."

Love? Spencer liked hearing it but didn't take it to mean anything profound. Jason probably said things like that to everyone he knew well. “I feel like I should be able to take care of this myself. It'd be humiliating telling the authorities about this. I'm a guy, I should be able to deal with it on my own."

"You're kidding, right?” Jason shook his head. “I'm a guy and I wouldn't be. Stalkers don't care who they hurt to get what they want. And there's nothing to say he won't hurt you, either. They're not totally stable."

"That's easy for you to say.” Spencer grabbed one of the coffee mugs off the counter. “
You
weren't picked on and shoved into lockers.” Frustrated that he'd dragged up those memories, Spencer took a sip of coffee and tried to focus on the issue at hand. “I just feel... inadequate... having to go to the police with a bunch of notes—that I don't have anymore—and a possible break-in where all that was done was roll around in my bed and take my coffee cup—only to return it to me.” The whole thing just sounded ludicrous. Like he was that weak, pathetic, sissy-boy from high school again.

Jason rolled his eyes. “Inadequate? This guy can get into your house. What if he comes back with a gun tonight?"

"Why would he? I still don't understand why he's... bothering with me."

"Why wouldn't he bother with you?” Jason shrugged. “Maybe he thinks you're an easy target. At the moment, you're proving him right."

"Right, with all the possible people in Summerset, he chose
me
. If I were to stalk someone, it'd be someone like you.” Spencer knew he wasn't a prime stalker subject. But, his mind took a turn into a scary place. What if this guy was some kind of
serial killer
? What if this sicko targeted people because they were dull? The coffee cup trembled in his hand.

The door opened and Rosa walked in, totally oblivious to the conversation she'd just interrupted. “Morning boys.” She poured a coffee, added her diet sweetener and tutted that there were no chocolate-chip cookies left by Friday. “Charlotte's looking for you, Jason. Didn't say why."

Jason looked at his watch. “C'mon Spence. Time to start work."

Spencer caught a flash of yellow as the Post-It disappeared into Jason's pocket. “Okay.” He followed Jason from the lunch room.

"Don't trust anyone,” Jason murmured as he passed Spencer's desk on his way up to the manager's office. “I'll try to find you for lunch but, if not, don't go home without me."

Spencer nodded. Lunch seemed so far away. What was he going to do until then? Actual work was out of the question. How could he concentrate when someone in the office was scaring the crap out of him? One took it for granted that one's co-workers were sane. His heart was beating a quick tattoo inside his chest as he examined each of the suspects. Well, Jenny and Rosa were crossed off the list; the culprit was a man.

Mark? It was suspicious that Mark had sat with him at lunch the other day. Was it Mark's way of making first contact? Spencer's gaze landed on the next prime suspect. Eli, with his dark eyes and exotic looks. Could it be him? No, Eli just seemed too nice and good looking to need to resort to stalking for a date.

Spencer didn't know what he was going to do. He could report the notes to Mr. Edwards, the manager. But what if it was him, the wife and kids being a cover for his deranged extracurricular activities? Spencer stared at Jason's empty chair, trying to will the man to appear. Jason was trustworthy and Spencer was grateful to have someone he could confide in—even it did make him feel like a wuss. Some things were hard to forget and being tormented in high school was one of them.

The day went by at a snail's pace. Spencer was certain that if he didn't leave soon his heart was going to explode from the stress. Jason had been kept busy all day doing one thing or another and had to work through lunch. And, all things considered, Spencer hadn't had much of an appetite anyway. Thank God it was Friday and he had the weekend to figure out what to do. Maybe he should go to a hotel until things settled. Money really wasn't an issue; Spencer was a thrifty person. He could splurge and go to The Madison and order room service and drink his way through the over priced mini bar. Or he could get a room at The Ishtar; the mirrored ceiling and vibrating bed would be good for some cheap thrills. Both options would be more fun with someone, the latter more so. Especially if Jason were that someone. Jason: the way he'd slammed Spencer into the lunch room door and kissed him. Those kisses ignited a fire in Spencer he hadn't known existed. God, what Spencer wouldn't give to look up at a mirrored ceiling and see Jason's perfect ass in the reflection. To see those cheeks hollow each time he thrust...

When Jason finally appeared at the end of the day, Spencer almost believed that he had actually conjured the man back, he'd been on Spencer's mind nearly all day. His stomach flipped when Jason looked up from his briefcase of IT paraphernalia and winked at him.

"Okay, Spence?” he asked quietly.

"Yeah, just eager to get out of here."

Jason smiled and nodded. “I'll give you a lift home."

Spencer wasn't sure what he thought about the offer. On one hand, he'd have more time with Jason. On the other hand, it seemed like Jason was trying to protect him, and that made Spencer feel inadequate, as if he wasn't man enough to handle his own problems. Irrational, yes, but that didn't change the fact that Spencer felt that way. However, having Jason spend extra time with him, and perhaps share a few more kisses, was definitely a plus.

"Okay, thanks.” The chance for kisses had won out.

"And here.” Jason gave Spencer a Post-It, neon yellow of course—it's what the company liked; that color had a sense of urgency, apparently—with his cell phone number on it. “Use it. Anytime. I always have the thing with me.” As if to prove this point, the chorus of Greenday's
21 Guns
played from Jason's pocket. He shrugged and slid the phone open. “Hey. Nah, not tonight. Something I have to do.” Jason laughed. “Get your mind out of the gutter. Yeah, okay, Nick. Bye.” He slid the phone closed and grinned at Spencer. “Wanna go out tonight?"

Nick?
Who the fuck was Nick? First Thad, now Nick—exactly how many men did Jason have lying in wait? But, Jason had said no to this guy and asked Spencer out. Truthfully, Spencer wasn't all that eager to go home.

"Sure.” Spencer tried to sound nonchalant. “I just want to go home and change into something more appropriate."

"No probs. I'll pick you up at seven. Think about where you'd like to go."

Spencer nodded. “Ready?” He didn't care that technically there were still five minutes before the work day officially ended.

Jason grinned and slanted a look at Spencer. “Leaving early isn't a good idea. Especially as you don't want them to know what we're up to."

Brows drawn together, Spencer slumped back into his chair. “Fine,” he snapped. The lack of sleep and worrying finally caught up with him as he folded his arms on his desk and rested his head, eyes closed. He heard Jason laughing at him and something that sounded like, “Feisty, I like that,” but couldn't summon up the energy to retort. Even flipping the bird seemed like hard work.

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"Hmmm, that's nice...” Spencer murmured as butterfly kisses fluttered down the back of his neck.

"Good. Could be the end of something awesome if you didn't like my kisses."

Spencer laughed softly. Waking up next to Jason was exactly as he'd thought it would be. Except he hadn't reckoned on harsh lighting and a phone ringing in the distance. He also hadn't thought his back would ache and he'd have pins and needles in his arms. Come to think of it, apart from the kisses, it was nothing like he'd thought it would be.

"Ow.” Spencer rubbed his stiff neck. Straightening his glasses, he pried open his eyes, taking in his surroundings. “Why are we sleeping at work?"

"
We're
not. You decided to take a little nap and I thought I'd wake you the classic fairy-tale way.” Jason straightened and picked up his brief case. “C'mon, Sleeping Beauty."

Spencer was thankful that Jason was driving him home; a ride on the bus would certainly have put him to sleep. But as they neared his house, Spencer's stomach started twisting in knots. Whether it was over the impending dinner with Jason or just an unwillingness to enter his home again, he wasn't sure. A night at The Madison was looking better and better. He'd just have to see how the evening went, maybe his nerves would settle after his date.

"I'll see you at seven,” Spencer said as Jason stopped the car.

"You will. Got my number? Let me know where you'd like to go.” Jason leaned over and kissed Spencer, a chaste kiss given the time of day and the amount of children there were playing in front yards.

"I got it.” Spencer fished the number out of his pocket and held it up. “And I don't care where we go to eat. I'm not that picky.” He left the car, closing the door firmly behind him. Once he had his key in the front door, he turned, waved to Jason and watched the car drive away. A shower and a change of clothes and he'd be good to go.

Spencer pushed open the door and stepped over the thresh hold. The sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks. The living room was trashed; books thrown off shelves, his couch overturned and cushions flung across the room. Suddenly, Spencer couldn't get enough air into his lungs, his chest felt constricted. He had to get out of there—fast. He didn't care if anything was missing or what the motive was. It was just the final straw; the one that finally made him realize this was serious and that he needed help. In no time, Spencer was standing on the sidewalk where Jason's car had been only moments before. He whipped out his cell phone and dialed Jason's number.

"Yeah?"

"J-jason?” Spencer flinched at how his voice shook.

"Spence?” Spencer heard the volume on the car radio drop a few decibels. “Spencer? What's up?"

"Can you come back?” Standing on the sidewalk airing his dirty laundry wasn't something Spencer wanted to do.

"Be there in five."

The phone went dead and Spencer stared down the street waiting to see Jason's charcoal grey sedan. It had to be the longest five minutes in his life. Relief washed over him when Jason arrived and literally leapt out of the car, almost before it stopped, enfolding Spencer in a hug.