The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (37 page)

“You want my opinion?” Reese asks.

“I really do.”

“Well, I’ve always thought he was hot.  Hell, every woman on Earth thinks that.  But after yesterday, he has been elevated to the status of demigod.  He was protecting your honor and safety.  Then, the two of you are seen out, holding hands and canoodling.  You both look like you’re madly in love.”

“You can tell?”

“Oh, yeah! You are one lucky girl, Jette.”

“I can’t wait for you to meet him.  Any chance you could make a trip to New Jersey soon?”

“I don’t know, Jette.  I just started my new job.  I don’t get many days off yet.  Maybe you guys could take trip to Wisconsin.  Do you know if the Sentinels are playing Green Bay this year?”

“I honestly have no idea.  When I find out, let’s make plans.  Promise?”

“Deal.”

F
or the first time in days, I drive my car alone to my house so I can get changed and check on things at home.  Adam gave me the alarm code so I can let myself in. 

The moment I walk in, I’m welcomed home by my dog.  I drop the overnight bags in my hand and give her a proper greeting.  It’s great to spend time with Maddy after all these days.  I take her outside and toss her a Frisbee for a while.  She’s full of energy and I didn’t realize how much I missed her.

It’s nice to be home.  Walking around and straightening up, I collect the tulips and hyacinths that Evan sent me on Friday and they’re starting to die.  Besides, I have a gorgeous bouquet of red roses to take their place.  Looking at my beautiful flowers from my thoughtful boyfriend makes my heart sing.

I start to text my friends to see who’s available to go out tonight.  I compose a group message to Emmy, Derek, Marcus and Auggie. 

Not surprising, Emmy is the first to respond.

The next text is from Auggie.

Marcus replies for both him and Camilla.

Eventually, I get a response from Derek, too.

Amazing!  I’m so excited.  All my friends will be going out to celebrate with us tonight.  This day just keeps getting better and better.

I’m blasting my iPod playlist and enjoying some new Fall Out Boy when my music is interrupted by an incoming call.  Hoping it’s Evan, I rush over to answer it.

“I’m calling about your ad on Craigslist.  Are you still looking to have some fun tonight?” The voice on the phone sounds incredibly creepy with a fairly severe speech impediment. 

“What the hell are you talking about?  I didn’t place a fucking ad on Craigslist.  Who is this?”  Oh my God!

“Call me if you change your mind,” he says. 

“Don’t ever call me again,” I shout at him, and abruptly end the call.

I don’t even have time to consider the meaning of that call when another one follows in the same context.  This man’s name is Hector and he wants me to meet him at the diner for a quickie.  I have a few choice words for Hector before I end his call.

My phone doesn’t stop for the next hour with incoming calls and texts.  Men are sending me pictures of their junk and invitations to hook up all over town.  I have to turn my phone completely off to stop the incessant calls.

I grab my laptop and pull up Craigslist.  It takes me less than five minutes to find the ad with my phone number on it.  As I’m reading it, I cannot believe what I’m reading.

My phone number is listed, but a few of the numbers are spelled out with words. There’s a picture of some random girl’s cleavage attached to the ad.  Holy shit! 

I can’t hear anything except my own heartbeat thumping in my ears.  This is almost too much.  What did I do to deserve this?  Why me?  Who could hate me this much that they want to turn my life upside down?  Is it even
my
life anymore?

In all my life, I’ve never been a victim and I’m not about to start now.  I refuse to call Evan so he can run over and hold my hand and tell me what to do.  I need to get into action mode.  This is a problem, and like all problems, there is a solution to be found. I will not allow my life to be controlled by some sick and twisted asshole.  Whoever this is, he’s starting to get sloppy and make mistakes.  He’s leaving a trail and I intend to use all the resources available to me to find him.

I waste no time in following the guidelines and reporting the ad as harassment and abuse to Craigslist.  I put 911 in the subject line, hoping it will get immediate attention.  It doesn’t say how long it takes to remove abusive ads.  All personal postings expire after seven days, so I know that even if they don’t respond immediately, the longest I’ll have to wait is one week.

Now I have to find a way to stop the unwanted calls from getting through.  A simple Internet search returns with information on the Do Not Disturb settings for my iPhone.  When activated, it only allows calls from my Favorites list to ring through.  It’s perfect.  I add all my close friends and immediate family to my favorites and it works.  No more unwanted calls or texts.  This small conquest is giving me the sense of control that I so desperately need right now.

My next step is to call Adam.  If he can track e-mail hackers, maybe he can have this online ad tracked, too.

He answers on the second ring, “Hey, Jette. What’s up?”  I meticulously explain the problem, ask him to help, and he’s all too happy to oblige.  Adam encourages me to call the police and make a report.  It may help later on if we document the incidents now. 

I know he’s right, so I call the police station looking for Officer Harper.  He’s not available, but the dispatcher takes my information and promises to pass along my message.  He suggests I make copies of everything and drop it off at the police station.  He gives me his name and assures me that he will make sure everything gets to Officer Harper who will prepare a report and call me when it’s ready to be signed, probably early tomorrow.

When Evan arrives to take me job-hunting, I ask him to join me in the kitchen.  He sits down at the island, and I open up my laptop, quickly pulling up the online ad for him.  I want him to know that I can handle myself and that I’m done running and hiding.

As he reads it, I can see his anger building.  “Juliette, if I
ever
find out who’s behind this, I swear to God, I’ll kill him.”  Evan gets up and begins to feverishly walk around the house, unable to find an outlet for his anger.

“Let the police do their job, baby.  Take me to the police station to drop off copies of all this crap, okay?”  I show Evan a folder that contains copies of the ad and the letter of complaint I sent to Craigslist, as well as a copy of the police report from last week.

“Juliette, did you call the police already?  Do you mean to tell me this isn’t going to become a fight?”  He’s shocked.  I like the fact that I can still surprise him.

“No fighting today, baby.  I called the police, filled out a complaint with Craigslist, and forwarded all the information to Adam.  He’s already got his people looking into it for us.  Aren’t you proud of me?”  He should be impressed, I am.

He sweeps me into his arms, brushes the hair off my face, and whispers in my ear, “I love you so much.  Thank you.”

Paint the Town Red

A
fter running our errands by filling out a few job applications and delivering paperwork to the police station, Evan drops me back off at home to get ready for our night out.  The DND setting on my phone is working perfectly.  Now, it only rings with welcomed calls.  Texts still come through, but at least they are silent and I’m not constantly reminded of this dreadful situation.

I have a new routine as I enter my house.  First, I secure the front and back doors.  Once I am certain the doors are safely locked, I check the windows.  After scanning the rooms for any signs of trouble, I can relax.  I accept this new reality, knowing that this, like all undesirable situations, is only temporary.

I haven’t had much alone time lately, and I’m glad to have it now.  Dinner’s not until seven and that leaves me plenty of time.  I grab my iPod to keep me company while I shower.  The first song to come on is the Script’s “Hall of Fame”. 

Tonight’s a special night, so I decide to spend a little extra time fussing.  I pull out a curling wand from the bottom drawer and opt to give myself some loose ringlets and curls.

The last time Emmy and I went shopping, I bought an ivory asymmetric one-shoulder top at Victoria’s Secret that I could pair perfectly with my black mini skirt.  The top is flirty and flowy and the crepe fabric feels amazing against my skin.  All that’s left to do is strap on some heels, throw on a few accessories and head over to Evan’s.

It’s a short drive to Evan’s house.  When I arrive, he’s got his bare feet propped up on the coffee table with an open playbook in his lap.  He didn’t shave today and the resulting sexy stubble makes me hungry for his attention. 

He notices my empty hands immediately.  “Hey, beautiful.  Didn’t you bring anything?” he asks.  I guess he thought I’d be carrying an overnight bag.

“I brought myself.  Isn’t that enough?”  I pluck the playbook from his grip and plant myself on his lap.  Wrapping my arms around his waist, I squeeze him hard.  Snuggling up closely, I inhale his unique scent, both clean and manly.  He presses his cheek against mine and hums in my ear, “More than enough.”

Evan tilts me back just enough so his eyes can travel down my body, closely inspecting and appreciating.  His eyes alone can make my temperature rise.  His lips curl devilishly and I melt in his arms. “I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off you tonight,” he declares.

“Right back at you, chief.”  Pulling back just enough to look into his face, I confess, “I didn’t bring anything because I really want to sleep in my own bed tonight.  Are you mad?”

He’s quiet for a moment, clearly considering his options, and then asks, “How big is your bed?” 

W
e drop off my car at home and arrive at Moonstruck in Asbury a few minutes before seven.  Evan had me reserve the private VIP Room tonight for our group.  It’s nice to be able to make plans and reservations for Adam, rather than have him make them for us.  This is the very least I can do to show my appreciation for everything he’s done over the past few days.

Situated right on Lake Avenue, the restaurant is located in a large three-story Victorian home completely updated with a quiet ambiance and tasteful décor.  There is a lovely view of the eclectic homes of Ocean Grove just across Wesley Lake.

Evan and I are escorted to a private room on the third floor.  The waitress takes our drink orders while we wait for our friends to arrive.

Bounding up the steps first is Auggie, looking as handsome as ever.  Tonight, he’s sporting a black button down shirt and a pair of old faded jeans that look positively wonderful on him.