by Shelly Davis
“So the asshole actually went to your mom’s house, then a few days later followed you to the gym? He has some balls.”
“Yeah, I don’t know what he’s thinkin’,” I sighed. “I mean, does he think I’d go runnin’ back to him if he begged my mom to like him or if he’s always around. All it does is freak me out.”
“Well, hell yeah it does. He’s creepy as hell. It’s not normal to show up at your ex’s parent’s house. And it’s definitely not normal to follow someone around.”
“Why am I never in the room when you two are talkin’ shit on people?” Steve asked walking into the room. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you two waited until I left to start your gossipin’”
“It’s not gossip, Steve,” Jen complained. “Were talking about how Grant is stalking Mia.”
“I knew that Grant guy was an asshole.” Steve suddenly became extremely serious. “Mia, that’s serious and dangerous. You shouldn’t be goin’ anywhere alone.”
“I honestly don’t know. I mean, Jake chased him off. I wouldn’t think Grant is stupid enough to keep coming around.” But I knew I was lying to myself and to my friends. I saw him that morning on my way to school. I also saw him when Jake took me home the night before.
The truth was, I had no idea of what Grant was capable. I didn’t think he was violent or dangerous, but I also didn’t think he was capable of following me around and scaring the shit out of me either. I wasn’t prepared for anything he was doing and I didn’t know how to be ready for him if he became violent.
“Well, from now on I’ll wait in the parkin’ lot for you in the mornin’ and we’ll walk out together at night. No more stayin’ ‘til ridiculous hours to get shit done.”
I sighed, but I knew he was right. I had to at least admit I might not be totally in control where Grant was concerned. Hell, I was beginning to realize I wasn’t in control of much where Jake was concerned either.
***
Everything with Jake was amazing. We didn’t go back to his house for dinners, instead he opted to take me to public places. He insisted we needed to spend time together without sex getting in the way. The only problem was I was dying to be in his arms again.
Even though things were great with Jake, Grant’s craziness was threatening to make me lose my mind. I didn’t tell anyone, but he called almost every day. And every call seemed to get more desperate.
“Mia, please,” Grant’s voice whined on my voicemail. “It’s just a misunderstanding. I wasn’t following you around. I just happened to be behind you. Please …”
With that last plea, I deleted the voicemail. I wasn’t going to sit and listen to any more of his crap. It was always the same. Grant had called me every day at least twice a day since Jake told him to leave me alone. He was also seen around the school and the gym numerous times by several different people. My friends were worried and Jake was pissed.
Toni decided to wait to move in with Julius, so Julius was staying with us every night. Uncle Bobby was in contact with his friends on the police force again. Since he was seen following me around by so many people, I was able to get a restraining order. The problem was, it did little good for me if he decided to ignore it.
I was sick of his constant calls and his interference in my friends’ lives. Jake had started to pick me up in the morning and after school every day. No one seemed to do what they needed to do, too worried about me.
“Sonofabitch!” I screamed when my phone rang again. I ended up giving him his own ringtone so I knew not to even look when I heard it. “You piss me off, you fuckin’ jerk, you get on my nerves,” rang out from my phone alerting me to Grant’s nonstop calls. The Rodeo Song by David Allen Coe always made me laugh, but the lyrics were perfect for Grant.
Ignoring the call again, I buried my head under my pillow. I’d been hidden away in my apartment all day long. Jake was busy with something he wasn’t telling me about, which worried me. I was terrified he’d finally decided I wasn’t worth the effort because of this shit with Grant. We’d had several dates since we almost had sex. Normal dates where we talked about the past and the present. We talked about my time in Tennessee and about how he and Cade came to be in Mooresville. It was good to hear, but it all made me long to have that time back so I could make different choices.
Immediately my phone rang again; Grant calling again, goddamn-it. Ripping the pillow from over my head, I jammed my finger on the answer button. All I wanted to do was tell him to go to hell so I could get on with my life. I was worried about what Jake wasn’t telling me. I was worried about my friends holding up their lives for me. I wasn’t going to let it happen anymore.
“What do you want, Grant. Why can’t you get the hint and leave me alone?” I knew I sounded frustrated and annoyed, but I was done with this ridiculousness. He needed to get the hint and move on.
“Finally, Mia. I’ve been calling for days. I’ve been so worried. Why has that asshole been driving you around? Is he stopping you from answering your phone?”
“Oh my god, are you delusional? This has nothing to do with him.”
“I know they forced you to get a restraining order,” Grant continued. “It’s fine. I won’t let anything come between us. I know Jake has been lying to you. He’s been keeping you from me. But that’s all done, isn’t it? I’ve got you back now, don’t I? That’s why you finally answered.”
“No, Grant. You don’t have me back. I don’t want anything to do with you. I don’t want you. You need to leave me alone.”
“I know you’re just upset, finding out Jake’s lying to you. I know how that feels because that’s how I felt seeing you with Jake. But I knew you still wanted me. I saw how you flinched when Jake hit me. I saw it was Cade and Gage holding you back from coming to me. They’re forcing you to stay away from me. They’re all jealous of what we have. Even Toni’s jealous.”
“Get it through your hard head, Grant! I don’t want you! Stop calling me!”
With my shouts, Toni came running into my room. She had a look of fury and fear in her eyes. Julius came in behind her, poised and ready for a fight. They must have thought he got into the house somehow.
“Is Grant on the phone?” Toni whispered.
When I nodded, she came across the room. Took the phone from my hand and pressed the end button. Pressing the screen she focused on the phone.
“We’re blockin’ his phone number. He can’t call you anymore. Why were you talkin’ to him anyway?” she asked. “Honey, you shouldn’t let him get to you. He ain’t worth it.”
“I was just so sick of him callin’. I couldn’t take the ringin’ anymore. I just wanted to tell him to leave me alone.”
“You did tell him. But you were listenin’ to him to, Mia. What was he sayin’? Don’t let Grant poison what you got goin’ on with Jake. That’s what he’s tryin’ to do. He’s tryin’ to get you to think Jake’s messin’ around on you. Grant’s tryin’ to get you to question things so you go back to him. He ain’t gonna be happy until he destroys you.”
“He ain’t Todd, Toni.” The moment I said the words and saw her flinch, I regretted it. I knew she was right. Grant had gotten inside my head and made me question everything, even my best friend. The one person who had always been there for me, no matter what. And here I was bringing up her past and throwing it around like it was nothing. What that asshole Todd did to her was inhuman and horrific. Todd tried to destroy her in every way possible and here I was bringing it up like it meant nothing.
“God, Toni. I’m so sorry. You’re right, Grant got into my head. But that’s no excuse. That was messed up. I’m such a terrible friend. Look at me.” Tears poured from my eyes.
“I know you’re sorry, Mia. But you gotta stop listenin’ to him. You gotta stop talkin’ to him. He’s a cancer and he’s gonna do nothin’ but get inside your head and make you question everything. And quite honestly, he ain’t much different than Todd. He ain’t much different at all.”
“You’re right
. God, I know you’re right. I’m so sorry,” I sobbed. “I don’t know if I’m comin’ or goin’ anymore. I can’t think straight. I just want things to go back to normal. He’s screwin’ up my life and I’m disruptin’ everyone else’s lives. I can’t do this anymore.”
Toni sat next to me on the bed, wrapped her arms around me, and hugged me. “That’s what he’s tryin’ to do. He’s tryin’ to break you down and separate you from your friends. This is what men like him do, Mia. They separate you from your friends. They try to make you rely on them alone so you lose everyone around you. You gotta break away from him before he succeeds.”
“You know what we’re doin’ tomorrow?” Julius said from the doorway. “We’re goin’ out tomorrow and gettin’ you both new phones. That way we can eliminate him callin’ either of you.”
I looked between Julius and Toni and realization struck. “He’s been callin’ you too?”
Toni nodded. “Yeah. I don’t know how the hell he got my number, but he did. I blocked him too, but he’s called from different phones.”
“So we’re gettin’ you both new phones and you don’t give the number out to anyone but the people who must have it,” Julius said firmly.
“I can’t let you buy me a new phone,” I argued, but all that did was make Julius furrow his dark brown eyes at me. He was a huge man and he could be extraordinarily intimidating when he wanted to be.
“There ain’t room for arguin’, Mia. This is happening whether you like it or not.” He came into the room and before I knew what the hell was happening, he grabbed my phone from the nightstand, threw it to the floor, and stomped on it. “Oh damn,” he said with a fake shocked sound. “I accidently broke your phone. I’m so sorry. I’ll buy you a new one tomorrow mornin’.” He picked up the busted phone and strode out of the bedroom.
“Well,” I said, looking at Toni. “He don’t let you dwell on things and mull around decisions, does he?”
Toni laughed. “No he doesn’t. He’s a take action kind of guy. But he’s right. The sooner you lose your phone number, the better. We’ll get you a new phone and new number tomorrow, then Grant won’t be able to call you anymore.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Jake
“Jake, you need to jump on this now. There’s a chance it might fall through, there are still a couple people in the family who are debatin’ on what they want to do, but I’d like to talk to them about your plans for the place. They are very sentimental people. It might help them to let it go.”
“If they want to keep the place in the family …” I started, but Monique stopped me. We stood in the middle of the same restaurant we visited weeks ago, once alone, once with Cade, and then once with Toni and Julius. Monique thought the more people she could get on her side, the faster I’d relent. So far they were all adamant this place was perfect for me. I had to agree. The space was perfect, and the kitchen had every appliance and machine any chef could want. It was the kind of place I always imagined.
“No one in this family has ever run a business, let alone a restaurant. They have no idea what they’re doin’. As soon as they realize, they’re gonna let this place go. You wanna be the person who comes up in their conversations when they talk about who’s gonna keep the restaurant alive, like their uncle woulda wanted.”
She led me through the restaurant once again. This was the fourth time she brought me to look at this building, and every time we walked through, I loved it just a little more. I started imagining how I’d arrange the tables and bar area. I had a whole plan for the place drawn out in my mind.
“Fine,” I relented. “What do you want me to do?”
“Just write out what your plans are for the space. Do you intend on usin’ some or most of the furniture? What kind of restaurant are you intendin’ to turn it into? Just tell me what you see when you think about this buildin’. If I’m right, they’ll love it and decide to sell directly to you instead of goin’ through a bidding process.”
“And I’m sure you’re gonna make the bidding process sound like hell on earth.”
Monique smiled sheepishly. That woman had a way of getting people to do what she wanted. She never undercut them or ripped them off, but for people she cared for, she’d do everything she could to get the best deal on the right property while still taking care of the sellers. “For your information, the bidding process is a nightmare for everyone involved. It can get nasty and totally out of control. It ain’t worth it, if you can find the right buyer for the right seller. In this case, I think we have both.”
“Fine, I’ll write somethin’ up tonight and email it to you.”
Squealing loudly, she jumped into my arms and kissed me. Her smile was huge on her pretty face. She was truly a gorgeous woman. “I’m so excited. I promise, this is gonna be great. And you aren’t gonna regret this. You deserve to take this leap.”
Suddenly my heart jumped into my throat as realization hit. In a matter of months, this could be my restaurant. I could have exactly what I’d always wanted. The business I’d convinced myself would never happen. Then I started to imagine Mia being here with me. Could I actually have it all? The job, the life, and the girl?
***
Walking into Mia’s school, I thought about the last time I was there. Things had changed a lot in the short amount of time since. Being around Mia, spending time with her was like going home.
I walked into the gym to find Gage talking to a group of students. They all had their back to me and were completely engrossed in what Gage was saying.
“Mr. Hanson,” Gage called. “Come meet these guys. They’re on the football team. They heard I work at your gym and wanted to ask some questions about building muscle and strength training for football season.”
“Hey guys,” I said, walking over to the group of exceptionally large high school boys. They all looked huge in their bulky letterman jackets. “What’s up? Y’all seniors?”
“Yeah,” one boy said. “We’ll be the starting seniors next season. We’re wantin’ to bulk up a bit for next season. Got any advice?”
Gage and I went on to create body building workouts the boys could follow. We then invited them to come to the gym and give it a try. If they liked it, they could join.
By the time the boys left, one of Mia’s teaching aides came into the gym with some students.
“Hey Mr. Smith. Where’s the rest of the crew?” Gage asked.
“On their way. Miss Slone was dealin’ with a situation. They’ll be on their way in a minute.”
Mia wasn’t there yet, but Gage got started without her. “As yinz can see, we have some company today. Mr. Hanson has come back to play with us. Who’s ready for some kick ball?”
All of the kids jumped up and down and cheered. They all rushed out of the bleachers toward the gym floor and lined up. All of them except for little Molly. Molly came and stood by me. She looked up, her moon pie eyes huge in her too-thick glasses. She was an adorable little girl.
“I no wanna play,” she whispered. “Can I stand with you?” she asked with a huge, crooked-tooth smile.
Kneeling down in front of her so I could look into her eyes, I smiled. “Will you play with me if I play? I don’t know if I can do this by myself.”
A huge smile played across her face. “Okay ‘ake, I play too.”
I ran around with the kids for the next half hour, not noticing when Mia entered the gym. She stood on the side and just watched as the kids did their best to kick the ball and run the bases.
When the bell rang, signaling the end of their day, the kids got bundled up in their winter clothes and Gage lead a parade of students down the hall toward their busses. To some, the procession probably seemed like pandemonium with students everywhere, but it was organized chaos. It was bedlam, but it worked and everyone got to their busses safe and sound.
Mia walked up to me and smiled. “What’re you doin’ here?” she asked. Her smile could light up the darkest night.
Smiling down a
t her, I said, “I promised Molly I’d come back and play. Also, I wanted to ask if you’ll have dinner with me.”
“I’d love to.” Her smile widened and her eyes sparkled with happiness. “Just let me go get my things. I’ll be right back.”
Nodding, I watched her walk out the door. After about five minutes, I got bored. I decided to go find her. I made my way through the maze of halls to where I knew her room to be.
The conversation I heard made me stop in my tracks when I reached her classroom door. I stood frozen, listening to Mia and her friend speak. I couldn’t see them, but I knew they were near.
“I can’t believe that man is real,” her friend Jen said. “Men like that are usually fake as hell.”
“Jake ain’t fake, Jen. That’s just how he is. He’s a great guy.”
I felt bad eavesdropping, after all, it’s not cool listening to people talk about you. But no matter how much I knew I needed to move, I couldn’t, especially when I heard what they said next.
“Well, are you two together yet?”
“Sort of, I guess,” Mia said. “We’re gettin’ to know each other again. We’ve spent a lot of time together lately.” She let out a long audible sigh.
“What?” Jen pushed. “You like him, don’t you?”
“I’m in love with him,” she whispered. “I know it’s too soon and I know he’s probably not ready to hear me say it, but I do. I love him. I think I always have.”
My heart slammed in my chest hearing her confession. God, part of me wanted nothing more than to hear her say she loved me. But another part, the logical part wanted to take things slowly. I didn’t want her to love me, I wasn’t ready, at least not yet. What the hell was I going to do?