Letters to Me
Page 7
“I can try ma’am, but I don’t think it will work.” Just then I hear a car pull up and make out the front bumper of Cole’s car. Thank goodness! “I’m sorry sir, excuse me.” The delivery guy drops the package on the door step and takes off towards his vehicle. I’m a little freaked out because he didn’t get my signature and he just dropped it and ran as soon as he saw Cole. Cole, who is now giving him a murderous stare. I open the door for him and he walks in as he picks up the package.
“Would you mind locking the door behind you that guy just gave me the creeps.”
“What did he want?” He asks quickly and looks around. He locks the door.
“To deliver that package.” I point towards it but back up a little.
“Honey, he was driving a regular off the street car. Not a delivery truck.” He looks at me seriously.
“Oh my goodness! Really?” I start to worry. What would I have done if I would have been alone and he tried to come in?
“Yeah babe. Are you ok?” He comes towards me slowly with his hands out.
“No, I need to finish cooking.” I move to the kitchen grateful that I didn’t open the door all the way, and that Cole had got here when he did or I would have taken the chain off like an idiot.
“It smells delicious.” He gives me a peck on the cheek and sits at the island.
“Thank you,” I say and I throw off the robe I have on.
“About as delicious as you look. Are you trying to get me in trouble?” I turn and arch my brow at him.
“No, I just figured you have seen me in less might as well be comfortable.”
“Oh, well by all means.” He smirks mostly to himself. I turn to finish cooking and make the gravy. I get out the plates and ask him to get a few tv trays out so we can watch the movie and eat at the same time. Cooking for my man is so uplifting to me. I don’t really know why that is. After we put in the movie and sit to eat, I ask him how it is.
“It tastes wonderful. Almost too good to eat.” I blush. It’s not really hard to make this meal, but this is the most elaborate meal I know how to make.
“Thank you.” We start to talk about how next week is the playoffs. Then we talked about how I was planning on going on a tour of the University of Alabama to see if that is somewhere I want to go. We finish eating in silence and I notice he keeps looking over at the package that the mystery person left.
“Can I open it? It’s not safe and I don’t want you attempt to open it and hurt yourself.” He says and points towards it with his fork.
“Yes,” I say. He walks over and opens it. I can’t see what it is but when he opens it his back goes stiff.”
“What is it Cole?”
“I’m going to text your mom and tell her what happened and let her know that I think I should stay with you tonight. Someone sent you a sign to stay away.” What?
“Ok from what?” I ask him a little scared.
“Who, and they say stay away from me.” I look at it now and it’s a weird looking note that says Stay away from Cole, or else. In stupid magazine clippings like a kidnapper or something in the movies. Below it, a dead rabbit. What the heck?
“Why would someone send this to me and who was that guy who brought it if he wasn’t with the post office?”
“I don’t know, but your momma is about to call you.” Just as he said it my phone buzzes on the counter.
“Hey Momma.”
“Kimber, are you ok?” She asks sounding panicked
“Yes, just a little frazzled.”
“I’m sorry honey. I wish I could be there, but I trust Cole to take care of you. I called his Momma and she said its fine for him to stay the night. I think that would be best. I trust you both not to do anything stupid. Stay safe baby.” She says quickly.
“Ok Momma, I love you. Stay safe.” Just like that she hangs up. I look up at Cole. “Well I guess you are staying with me tonight.”
“I guess so. Is that ok with you?” He says with a furrowed brow.
“Yes, that is perfectly fine.” I say.
“Ok well what movie do you want to watch?” He asks me as he takes the box and shoves it outside the back door.
“I don’t know. We can just turn on the tv and watch junk until we fall asleep. How about that?”
“Sounds perfect.” He smiles while washing his hands.
“Ok let me get some pillows and blankets from my room.” I go and get the stuff from my room and come back to the living room and lay it all out on the floor. Cole looks at me with a confused look. “We are having a sleep over!” I smile really big.
“Sleepover!!” He tries his best to sound like a girly girl. I fall into a hysterical giggle fit. “Kimber, I don’t want to lay down with you while I smell like this,” he laughs. “Will you be ok if I take a shower?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine. Go. There are towels in the closet just inside the door.”
“Be right back.” I sit and wait. He comes out in a towel. “I forgot my bag.” He reaches down and get it and the towel drops just enough for me to see that deep v around his hips. I’m not able to stop the gasp that escapes my lips. He looks up and winks. “I’ll be right back.” He walks back in the room in some lose fitting sweats and a tank top. God, I’m a goner. Now I know how he says he feels.
“Ok honey, lets watch tv.” He lays down next to me and we cuddle. Then my mind starts to wonder about other things that happened throughout the day. I sigh. “Cole, what do you think is going on with that package?”
“I don’t know Kimber it’s stupid don’t worry about it just sleep honey.” Easy to say, but hard to do.
“I’m not tired.” I say and turn on my back to look at him.
“Yeah, ok. Whatever you say.” He smiles looking down at me. He rubs the side of my face with the back of his thumb.
“I’m not.” I yawn. Maybe I am a little tired.
“Shh, I’m here I’ll take care of the big bad and the ugly. You’re safe. Sleep baby.” I laugh at him softly.
“So, are you kicking me out? I’m the big bad and the ugly, right?” I say with a smile.
“Hush woman, you know better.” He starts to play with my hair and rub my hip. I get all types of butterflies, but can’t keep my eyes open. I turn towards him and kiss him softly and close my eyes.
“Thank you, prince charming.” I whisper and smile sleepily.
“I am no prince charming, princess.” He continues to rub my hip.
“I think so, and I’m more of a house maid.”
“Shh, Kimber quit talking. I know you are trying to keep yourself awake.” His stern voice is back.
“Not..” Everything has a dreamy haze.
“I love you dear. Goodnight.” He whispers to me.
“Night…” I go to sleep fast, and I wake just as fast. It’s still dark outside. I was having a horrible dream. Glass breaking and people yelling. I look up at Cole, and he is still sleeping. Then I hear it again. Glass breaking.
“Cole,” I whisper and shake him softly. His eyes snap open.
“What’s wrong?”
“I heard something.” My heart is hammering out of my chest.
“What did you hear honey?”
“Glass breaking.” As I tell him there is another glass that shatters.
“Stay here.” He tells me this and stands with the agility of a ballerina. He goes around the house and a few minutes later he comes back. He is on the phone.
“Yes sir. Yes sir, that’s the right address. Thank you. Do you need me to stay on the line? Ok thank you.” He hangs up.
“What? Who was on the phone?” I ask.
“The police. All of the windows of your room have been busted.”
“Cole, wh-what’s going on?” I start to cry softly and I notice I’m shaking uncontrollably.
“I don’t know, but now not only am I here but the police are going to be patrolling. I need to call your Momma.”
“Ok, tell her I’m ok and if she needs to stay at work she can.”
“Yes.” Tears are still flowing from my eyes. He comes to me and holds me tight and rubs my back softly.
“Everything is fine honey I am here. I’m not going anywhere.” Just then his phone rings. “Hello, yes ma’am I’m here with her and she said she’s fine. No, I don’t mind.” He hands me his cell phone.
“Kimber? Honey are you ok? Dispatch just called me and I listened to Cole’s message.”
“I’m fine Momma,” I make my voice cold and distant. “It’s just a few windows Momma I’ll be fine. I love you. I’ll see you in the morning.” I hold it together just long enough.
“Love you too sweetie. Let me talk to Cole.” I hand him the phone and motion for him to talk.
“Yes Ma’am? Yes, I can, they are patrolling now. I won’t let her. We are staying in the living room. Thank you. You’re welcome. You too.” He hangs up and puts the phone down. “Okay, Kimber lets go to back to sleep so that we can be well rested for tomorrow.”
“What’s tomorrow?” I ask curious.
“A new day.” We both lay down on the blankets in the floor silently. I don’t want him to lose sleep just because I can’t. “Kimber, I won’t go to sleep if you won’t.” I consider not saying anything, but finally give in.
“Cole I’m scared. This is so strange. Why is someone doing this? Who is it?”
“Honey, I don’t know. I’m here and I’m going to keep you safe, sleep.” I close my eyes and force myself to breathe deeply. I fall asleep after a few minutes. Nightmares plague me through the rest of the night. Screams and knives and burning buildings. I wake when Momma gets home and Cole is sitting with her at the kitchen table. They both look up when I stand and walk towards them.
“Mornin’” I say and go and get some juice and turn to look at them. They are both silent and looking at me. “I’m fine.” Momma rushes me and holds me tight. I look over her shoulder and Cole puts his head in his hands.
Chapter 7
Thank goodness it’s Friday. I throw on my favorite pair of jeans, flip flops, and sweatshirt. I throw my hair up in a messy bun. Cole and I talk about going to his house so that he can change so I’m in a hurry. I don’t like being late.
“Cole, honey are you ready?” He wants to drive me to school. That’s ok with me as long as we aren’t late.
“Yeah, I think I may just wear a t-shirt over my tank top and wear these pants so we don’t have to go to my house. What do you think?”
“I think everyone who is infatuated with you will be distracted by you. I don’t care either way.” Honestly, I just want this day to end so that we can get on with the weekend. No game tonight. Nothing pressing just have to get home and patch up the windows in my room.
“Ok let’s go to school.” He grabs a hair tie that I left on the table from the night before and puts it on his wrist. He smiles at me and grabs my bag and walks out on the porch. I lock the door and follow him to his car. On the drive to school, we listen to music, dance, and act silly. He is good at distracting me in many ways. We get to school early and sit in the car with the music playing softly. He puts his hand on my knee and looks at me seriously.
“Kimber, if there is anything that makes you feel uncomfortable today or unsafe, text me and I don’t care where I am, I will come to you. I love you and don’t want you hurt.”
“I will, Cole, I love you too.” I lean into him and put my head on his shoulder. I don’t know who is doing this but I am not going to let them ruin my relationship with Cole. “Let’s go in.”
“Ok, you sure you’re ok?”
“Yep!” I say in my cheery, but a fake voice.
“Ugh, I hate it when you are fake, but I don’t blame you for it. Don’t let this get you down honey.” He shakes his head just enough for me to notice.
“I’m not going to.” We walk hand in hand into the school straight to my homeroom class. He doesn’t stop at the door like usual but walks all the way to my seat. My homeroom teacher and the whole class look at us like we are crazy. I get to my seat and Cole sets my bag down next to the chair. He then goes down on one knee, in front of everyone, and kisses my hand.
“I love you, beautiful. Stay safe.” He kisses my hand again and then walks out. I’m blushing a bright crimson color, and I sit down. I sigh internally. God, this has got to be the best that I’ve ever felt at school. Well, minus our music room exploits. Then just thinking about that I bush an even deeper color of red. Rachel walks in as the final bell rings. She takes her seat and then laughs.
“What are you blushing about?” Before I can answer the girl that sits in front of her, Julie, tells her.
“Oh, she only had Cole drop her off to her seat this morning.” I look at her and look at Rachel.
“Kimber, what’s going on he never comes in here.” I whisper to her what happened the night before. She gasps and tells me that she will stay close to me during the classes we have together.
“Rach, you sit next to me in every class. It’s fine. I’m fine.” I’m not really. I can’t help but think that this is all connected. I just can’t figure out how.
“Ok well if you say so.” The bell rings for our first class. I walk out to find Cole standing there.
“What are you doing?”
“I am escorting you to all of your classes today. I got it cleared by the principle and all of my teachers to leave a few minutes early and come in a few minutes late.”
“Cole, I’m fine really.”
“Uh, no, you are not and I can see straight through you.” I look up at him with tears in my eyes.
“Rachel didn’t.” I say softly.
“Honey she knows you, and I’m sure she doesn’t believe you for a second.” He says then looks around and down the hall.
“Let’s go I don’t want to make you any later than you already will be.” I say trying to sound strong and confident.
“Ok.” We get to my first class, and I look up at him.
“Thank you.” I say and look down. He grabs my chin and forces me to look at him.
“Kimber, you are my world. I will protect you with my life. Now go learn stuff.” I giggle.
“Yes, sir.” I look into his eyes and there is a fire behind them I have never seen before.
“Get to class.” He says and walks away
“Ok honey love you!” I call to him. He turns towards me.
“Love you.” He mouths and waves to me. I walk into my class only to remember that Quinn is in this class and she has something to say obviously as she walks a straight line to me.
“I hope you know that you are just another notch on his bedpost. I intend on making him mine, and soon.” With that, she slowly turns and walks her voluptuous body away from me. I feel like I should tell Cole. I grab my phone and sit in my seat. I text him quickly.
Q. Black is taking you away from me soon she says I type quickly.
That bitch I expected that.
It’s fine I’ll let her think what she wants
The rest of the class passes in a flicker and Cole is at the door as the bell rings. He comes straight to my desk. I stand. He looks me in the eyes and kisses me fiercely. Good thing the teacher left the room because I would get detention for this. He takes my hand and we turn to go to the next class. The day continues like this and finally, history comes.
“Finally, I can spend the next hour and a half not worried about you.” He says and sighs.
“Cole, I don’t think that anything can happen while I am in school.” Then I suddenly don’t believe it. I start to shake a little. Thankfully, I sit behind him and not in front of him.
“You never know. Let’s get to class to watch that movie.” He starts to rub my shoulder. I am not hiding anything from him. I never can.
“Oh yeah. Movie day.” Great. I can’t stand watching movies in class. I’m a dork I know, but I want to li
sten to the actual material.
“I love you so much.” He says looking down at me.
“I love you too.” I say and smile up at him. We walk to class and take our seats as the substitute teacher comes in with the tv on a pedestal. I hate these movies; they always make me tired. Plus, it’s Friday and I just want to get out of here. Except I don’t want to go home. Momma knows that I’m going to be at Rachel’s house all day and all night tomorrow. She doesn’t have to know that I’m not going home tonight. I start to get a plan in my head. The teacher starts the movie and I lean up closer to Cole’s ear.
“I need to ask you something when school is out. If you want to do what I want then we can leave together. If not, I will go home with Rachel,” I whisper to him. He turns and looks over his shoulder with a smirk to melt anyone, male or female. I smile shyly back. He knows exactly what I am up to. I text Momma and tell her I’ll be at Rachel’s tonight. Either way, this goes she needs to see this text even if it’s a lie. Momma trusts me, but I am not going to be a sheltered little girl.
I watch the movie and take notes at the appropriate times. We have covered all this information in class already and it just seems monotonous to go over it again in movie form. The last fifteen minutes of class are spent free for study time. The test is moved to Monday. I don’t need to study this subject so I start to pack up. It’s Friday, I want to get my weekend started. Usually, I dread weekends and love being at school. At least I’m around people, unlike at home when no one is there anymore.
The end of day bell rings and I am out the door and Cole is right behind me. He wraps his hands around my waist and pulls me to him.
“What do you have going on in that mind of yours?” He asks with a smile, but there is worry in his voice.
“Well I thought since all of this drama is going on that we would run away for the night. Me and you. Doesn’t matter where we go, I just want to listen to some music and have a good time with you.”
“Hmm, sounds like something that I would love to do. Any ideas?” He asks.
“No, but we would have to take my car. I told Momma that I would be with Rachel.”
“You sneaky girl. I’ll think of something follow me and I’ll drop off my car at the house and tell my Mom that I’m staying with Mathew.”