by E. L. Todd
“Thanks for coming with me. I had a lot of fun with you. I always do.”
I looked away to avoid the intensity of his gaze. His face was perfect. His lips were thin and wide, his eyes sparkled, and his chiseled jaw was firm and strong. I imagined him shirtless and the thoughts just became worse. “Well, good night.”
“Please let me take you home.”
“That’s unnecessary,” I said. “I can take care of myself.”
“I never said you couldn’t. And I asked nicely.” He crossed his arms over his chest and stared me down.
“No.”
He sighed. “I’ll walk you out, then.” Kyle came to the front door and opened it. “Have a good night.”
“You too.”
“Please let me walk you home,” he blurted.
“Why?” I asked, sighing.
“It just—gives me peace of mind.”
“You know I can take care of myself. You’ve been on the receiving end of that tazer,” I said with a smile.
“Well…the other night…it just made me feel differently.”
I knew what he meant even though he was incredibly vague.
“Please let me take you home. I won’t stay. I’ll walk you to your door and leave.”
The desperation in his eyes went straight to my heart. His command over me was surprising. There were so many things I was feeling, but I couldn’t describe any of the emotions. I knew one thing; I was definitely confused. “Okay.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
We left the apartment and walked back to my building a few blocks away. I watched the people around me, and when I looked at him, he was doing the same thing. He seemed relaxed all the time, but he was always alert and aware of his surroundings.
When we reached my door, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Thanks for walking me home.”
“Thank you for letting me. I know that was hard for you.”
When I turned toward my door, he grabbed me and hugged me. I realized we were hugging a lot more lately. I was confused about what I was feeling, but I knew I liked it. It was a rare moment when I felt safe. It became silent while he held me. And when he hugged, he used his entire body to embrace me. His hands wrapped completely around me, like he was going to pick me up. His legs touched mine and his chest pushed against my breasts. I didn’t let him go after a few seconds and he didn’t release me either. We stayed that way for a long time.
Finally, he pulled away. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow. I’m going by Starbucks. Would you like anything?”
“Black coffee.”
“You got it.” He waited for me to open the door and walk inside. When I closed the door and looked through the peephole he was still standing there. After I turned the lock, making an audible click, he disappeared down the hallway.
8
When I got to work the next morning, my coffee was sitting on my desk. There was also a note.
Layla,
Thanks for going to the game with me. I’m surprised I could enjoy spending so much time with a treasonous Giants fan.
I smiled then put the note in my desk. I left my office then approached his. The door was closed so I knocked. There was no answer. I recalled him mentioning something about a meeting so I assumed that’s where he was. I went back into my office and got to work.
“Can I come in?”
I looked up to see Taylor standing in the doorway.
Kyle’s words came back to me, his warning about Taylor. “What can I do for you?”
“I just wanted to stop by and say hello.”
“How’s your wife?” I asked, looking at my computer.
“She’s good.”
“What does she do for a living?” I didn’t care at all, but I wanted to take the offense in this conversation. If I held the power, he couldn’t control the conversation.
“She’s a housewife.”
“Cool. And how are your kids?”
“They are good. Little brats sometimes,” he said with a weak laugh.
“Well, I should get to work,” I said, looking at my computer.
“What are you doing tonight? I usually take out the new girl for drinks.”
“I’m busy,” I said quickly.
“How about tomorrow?”
“Kyle and I are going to the Yankee game.”
“Oh. Are you and he—like—together?”
I wanted to say yes so he’d leave me alone, but I didn’t want rumors to spread that I was sleeping with Kyle. “No.”
“Oh.” He sounded relieved. “How about the next night?”
This guy just wouldn’t give up.
“Layla is either busy, sick, and or isn’t interested in the near future.”
I looked to the doorway and saw Kyle standing there, his hands in his pockets and a murderous look in his eyes.
Taylor flinched when he realized Kyle was standing there. “Hey, Kyle.”
“It’s Mr. Benedict,” he said as he stared him down.
“Of course, sir,” he said with a nod.
“Stop harassing my employees. Just because I didn’t get your position terminated doesn’t mean I won’t try again.”
“Are you threatening me?” Taylor asked.
“I will be if I see you bother my employee again. This is an office that has zero tolerance for sexual harassment.”
“I wasn’t sexually harassing her,” he said incredulously. “Tell him, Layla.”
I froze, unsure how to respond.
“That isn’t what I saw,” Kyle said. “You asked her out three different times and her every response was no. That’s qualifies as harassment to me. Now get out of her office and get back to work.”
Taylor squeezed past him then disappeared into the hallway.
Kyle shut the door and approached my desk. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Was he bothering you?”
“He was just being a little annoying.”
“Well, I think he’ll leave you alone now.”
“Thanks,” I said, looking at him in his dark suit. I could still see the aggression in his eyes. He didn’t seem like an angry person, but he could snap pretty quickly. He was definitely intimidating when he wanted to be.
“I don’t want you to ever feel unsafe when you’re here, or with me.”
“I don’t,” I said quietly.
“Okay. Did you like your coffee?”
I nodded. “Thank you. How was the meeting?”
“Boring like always. When they talk about fashion, I have to pretend I understand what they’re saying. My responsibility is numbers so I just focus on that. Our magazine is either selling or it isn’t.”
“Why don’t you find something else you like?” I asked. “Like a sports magazine?”
“I’ve looked. I haven’t found a job that has the same pay or better. I really don’t want to take a pay cut.”
“I can understand that. I was a bartender for years because I had to be.”
“Speaking of that, I’m playing at a piano bar on Friday. You should come.”
“You’re playing in front of people?” I asked incredulously.
“Well, it would be pretty pointless if there was no audience,” he said with a laugh.
“That’s so cool. Of course I’ll be there.”
His cheeks reddened slightly while he smiled. “Thanks.”
“That’s so badass. Do you play anything else?”
“I play the guitar but I’m not nearly as good.”
“That’s even cooler.”
He nodded. “Thanks. Well, I’ll let you get back to work.”
“Kyle?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for you—you know.”
“Anytime.” He left my office and disappeared.
I finished the workday and completed all of my assignments. Right at five o’clock, I was ready to hit the road. I grabbed my purse then locked the door behind me.
K
yle closed his door and looked at me. “I was just about to come get you. I figured you would work all night unless I dragged you out.”
“No. I’m tired tonight.”
“Me too. I don’t really want to go to the gym.”
“Then don’t,” I said.
“I had Mexican food for lunch. I definitely need to go.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I caught that.”
I did it again.
He nudged my shoulder with his.
We left the building then reached the street. Kyle started walking with me even though he lived the opposite way.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Walking you home.”
“You don’t have to do that every day.”
“I know,” he said as he kept walking.
I stared at him for a moment before I looked straight ahead. When we reached my door, I stopped. “What are you doing tonight?”
“I’ll probably be jamming tonight.”
“Jamming?”
“Practicing the piano,” he said with a laugh.
“Oh.”
“Unless you wanted to do something.”
I wanted him to come inside but I realized I shouldn’t ask. We had been spending the entire week together. We should have a break. No two friends spent this much time together. I didn’t even see Janet and Cassie that much. “No. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“I’m just a phone call away,” he said as he hugged me.
I melted as soon as he held me.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Bye.”
He pulled away and waited for me to walk inside. After I locked the door, he turned and disappeared. As soon as he was gone, I felt his absence weighing on me. I didn’t know what the hell was wrong with me. I shouldn’t be feeling this way.
I showered then changed my clothes, lying on the couch after the long day. I was hungry but I didn’t feel like making dinner. I wished Kyle would cook for me. There I go again. I pushed the thought back. I grabbed my kindle and started to read on the couch. The light faded from the windows but my screen gave me enough light to read by.
There was knock on the door that interrupted my story. I was slightly annoyed that my quiet time was being ruined. I walked to the door and looked through the peephole. There was no one there. I assumed a solicitor was going from door to door so I turned around and walked back to the couch. The knock returned and made me stiffen.
I came back to the door and looked through the peephole again. There was a young boy, early teens, standing outside. He didn’t hold a box or a banner. Since he was just a kid, I opened the door.
“Hey,” I said with a smile. “How can I help you?”
The kid turned and walked down the hallway, not saying a word to me. A hand pushed my door in and John came into my apartment, pushing me back as he stormed in. Holy shit. He shut the door then stared at me.
“Now we finally have a chance to talk.”
I felt my arms shake in fear. I forced myself to remain calm and collected but it wasn’t working. I fell apart into the weak girl I used to be. He was so frightening and the fear made me regress to an earlier time, to a person I no longer was.
He was blocking the kitchen so I couldn’t grab a knife. I didn’t think I would attack him even if I wanted to. He was too strong for me to overpower.
“What do you want?” I asked weakly.
“To talk. I already said that.
“About what?”
“Why did you leave me?”
“That’s a stupid question.”
He marched to me and I immediately stepped back, knowing his hand would collide with my face. He didn’t raise his palm but he glared at me. “I love you, Layla. I admit that I was wrong before but I’m not like that anymore. But it did hurt me that you ran away. I want us to be together again.”
“I don’t want to be with you, John. Please leave me alone. I’ve done nothing to you.”
“Who’s that asshole you were with? Your boyfriend?”
I said nothing, not sure what response would be better.
“Well, he isn’t anymore. It’s me. I’m glad we got that straightened out.”
“Please just go.” My voice squeaked, betraying my weakness and my fear.
He grabbed me by the neck. “Don’t be scared of me.”
I stilled, feeling his hand around my throat. “Then let me go.”
John stared at me for a long time before he released his grip. “Let’s start over. I’m a different man. I’m sorry for everything I did to you.”
“I’ve moved on. Please leave me in peace.”
“No.”
“Then you aren’t as sorry as you claim.”
He shook his head. “I came all the way here to be with you. I tracked you down, searching for you endlessly. If that doesn’t say true love than what does?”
“Stalking is not a sign of love,” I snapped.
He glared at me, clenching his fists at his sides. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. It’s your choice.”
“It doesn’t seem like it.”
He stepped closer to me, his shoulders tensing. “We’re picking up where we left off. When you fight me, that’s when you get hurt. Just do what I say, and there won’t be any pain or problems.”
I tried to step around him but he grabbed me by the arm and pushed me back. “Where are you going?”
“I left my kindle on. I don’t want to drain the battery.”
“That’s what’s on your mind?”
“It takes a long time to charge.”
He released my arm. I grabbed the kindle then closed the screen. He stared at me, watching my every move. “This is a nice place.”
“Thanks.”
“You live alone?”
“No.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Who else lives here?”
“My roommate.”
“Well, your roommate is never home. At least I haven’t seen anyone come here besides you and that guy.”
“You’ve been watching me? You’re so fucking psycho.”
“What did you say to me?” he said, raising his hand slightly.
“I’m not letting you do this to me again. Get the fuck away from me.”
“I’m the man. I call all the shots.”
“Then start acting like one,” I snapped. “Men don’t have to elicit fear in others to gain loyalty and respect. Now just go.”
“No. I’m not leaving.”
I turned and walked toward my bedroom.
“Where are you going?”
“Away from you.”
He stood in front of me and shut the bedroom door.
“So, I have to stay in your sight the entire time? I have a job.”
“No you don’t. You’re quitting.”
“I don’t think so.” I walked toward the bathroom but he grabbed me.
“You want to get slapped?”
“Can I take a piss? I was sleeping when you came to the door. Now I have to pee.”
He followed me to the bathroom then stood in the room.
“I’m not peeing with you watching me. What do you think I’m going to do? Jump out the window and plummet to my death? I admit that would be better than spending any more time with you.”
He glared at me then left, slamming the door behind him. I immediately locked it and pulled out my phone. Without thinking, I called the first person that came to mind.
“That’s ironic that you called,” Kyle said. “I was just thinking about you.”
I felt myself start to cry. “Kyle, please come to my apartment.” I whispered but my sobs came through.
John tried the lock door then pounded his fists against it. “Open this fucking door!”
“Please,” I whispered. I heard something drop and keys jiggle.
“I’m coming,” Kyle said. “Call the police.”
“No, I can’t,” I said.
His breathing became d
eep and heavy. I could tell he was running. “Call the fucking police.”
“Just get here,” I said with a sob.
“Baby, I’m coming. I’m running as fast as I can.”
I sobbed on the phone while John slammed his body against the door, almost breaking it. I sat on the toilet and buried my face in my lap. Kyle’s breathing was fast, like he was running a marathon. Time seemed to stretch so slow. John pounded on the door then walked away. I knew he was grabbing a knife to pick the lock. When he got through, I wasn’t sure what he would do. But I knew it wouldn’t feel good.
“I’m in the building,” Kyle said with a deep breath.
“Please hurry,” I whispered. “He’s going to break down the door.”
“I’m here.” He hung up. I heard the front door crash open as Kyle stormed into the room. “I’m going to kill you, motherfucker!”
John abandoned the door, leaving me alone. I got up and unlocked the door then ran into the living room.
Kyle looked angrier than I’d ever seen him. His eyes were wide with ferocity, living daggers flying out. His neck was covered in sweat and his arms were flexed, ready to rip John apart.
John held a knife in his hand, the one he used to pick the lock. “Let’s tango,” he said, spinning the knife in his wrist.
Kyle rushed him and I screamed. “Stop!”
Kyle grabbed his arm then bashed his head with his own, sending him back to the floor. He grabbed John by the collar then smashed his fist into his face, sending blood across the carpet. John’s head rolled back before he kicked Kyle, making him lose his balance.
“Fuck with me and I’ll kill you,” John said as he got up and grabbed the knife.
I ran into John and pushed him down, sending the knife flying under the couch.
Kyle got to his feet then pushed me back, sending me across the floor. He punched John again then kneed him in the stomach. John stumbled back then turned toward the door, knowing he had the lesser hand without a weapon.
Kyle rushed him but John slammed the front door closed then bolted down the hallway. When Kyle and I both reached the outside, he was nowhere in sight. Kyle remained still.
“The fire escape,” he said suddenly. “Stay here, Layla.” He rushed down the hall then looked out the window. “He’s already at the street.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the confrontation was finally over.