I lean forward and kiss him again, amazed at how perfect this night is turning out to be. The only thing missing is food.
“Didn’t you say you were taking me out to dinner?” I accuse.
His eyes widened. “Shit, how did I forget to feed you?” he murmurs. “My cock doesn’t count, right?” I burst into laughter.
“I’m not sure if your laughter is an insult or not, but I'll take it as a compliment,” he grins. He pulls out his phone, and I frown at him, confused.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Ordering a pizza,” he shrugs like it's the most natural thing in the world to him.
I laugh. “Will they even bring it here?”
“Trust me. Up until last week, when I was distracted with you, I was here until nine or ten every night, just working on my design. I ordered a lot of pizza.”
“That's crazy,” I say, shaking my head.
“Yeah, you’re telling me. The pizza guy knows my name and my order.”
“What about your kids?” I ask. “Who looks after them when you work late?”
He smiles. “Shirley.”
“Shirley's been with you for a while, hasn't she?” he nods.
“Yeah. Just over ten years.”
“She must be important to you.”
“She’s like family,” he admits. “After Marley died, the kids missed some of that stability, and I found Shirley brought a bit of that back for them.”
“What about your parents?” I ask him.
“They died years ago, and Marley’s are gone, too.”
“Wow,” I mumble, my heart aching for him. “Poor kids.”
“Exactly,” he says. “Shirley was just another rock in their lives when everything felt like it was falling apart.”
“And yours, too, I bet,” I say softly.
He smiles. “Yes. Mine, too.”
We talk a little while longer, about everything from our pasts to our futures, to our favorite things, and everything in between—until Nick's phone rings to interrupt us. It’s our dinner, and while he goes outside to get it, I hang back on the stage and look around.
I could stay here all night.
It really is just the perfect place to think. When Nick walks back in, and I remember how hungry I am, I sit down, and we eat. It doesn't take us long to demolish the whole pizza.
“Maybe I should've ordered two,” he chuckles.
“Maybe you should have,” I agree.
“And you didn't even think to bring a bottle of wine,” I tease him. “Such an amateur.”
He grins. “I did say I’d been out of the dating scene for a while.”
“Excuses,” I say, narrowing my eyes.
“This has been great,” he says, reaching for my hand. “I've enjoyed tonight.”
“Me too,” I admit.
He glances at his phone and sighs. “I wish we didn't have to end this so soon, but I promised Shirley that I’d be back by nine. She has something on early in the morning.”
“That's okay. I'm kind of hoping that you’ll take me on more of these things,” I tease.
“Dates?” he asks. “I can assure you there will be plenty more,” he says. He leans in and kisses me. I sigh as his lips press against mine. “Are you ready to go?”
“Actually, do you mind if I hang around here for a little longer?” I ask him.
He frowns at me. “Sure, but how will you get home?”
I roll my eyes. “It’s not even nine, Nick. I can walk the five minutes, I’m sure.”
He smiles and kisses me, his eyes leveling on mine. “Okay. But text me when you get home, or I’ll worry about you.” He hands me the key and smiles at me. “I’ll get that back off you tomorrow.”
“You, uh, have something of mine, too,” I mumble, my cheeks heating.
He frowns, then smiles when he remembers what he has safety stashed in his pocket.
“Ah,” he murmurs, pulling them out. “I was hoping these would end up under my pillow tonight.”
“Creepy, much?” I say with a laugh. I lunge forward and snatch them from him, then put them on, threading them through my legs. I pull them up without revealing too much, while he watches, a smirk on his face.
As soon as I’m alone, I walk around the building, admiring it from every angle. Every step I take I see a new mark, another piece of history. I run my finger over the latest set of initials that someone has caved into the date wall in the lobby and smile. I know they’re new because of whose they are.
NJ + AM = 4EVA
He must have done that when he went to collect the pizza. My heart swells as I run my finger over his initials and smile. He is so damn sweet. Why couldn’t my father see that?
Sighing, I sit down on one of the old chaise armchairs in the lobby, a feeling of regret coming over me. I should’ve come here more often because now, I wasn’t going to have the chance.
This might be the last time I see this place in its original form.
I’m sure Nick will do amazing things, but it still makes me sad. I know it’s silly for me to be so invested in a place I’d been to maybe twice since the time with my mother, but I couldn’t help it. I guess in a way, it reminded me of how much time had passed without her in my life. Chances are, I’d never see her again.
My phone buzzes gently in my pocket. I fish it out and see a message from Nick.
Nick: Is everything okay?
Confused, I check the time. Shit. He left me close to two hours ago. Embarrassed, I text him back.
Me: Sorry, I guess I got distracted. I'm leaving now.
I place my phone back into my pocket and walk toward the exit, where I let myself outside and lock the door. I shiver, wishing I’d had the foresight to take a jacket with me. I walk down the steps and look around. There’s not a single other person in sight. I’m not usually someone who scares easily, but the darkness of the night, combined with the complete silence, and I’m jumpy. That, and I can't shake the feeling that someone is watching me.
It isn’t the first time I’d felt uneasy like that, either. Before, I’d put it down to me just freaking myself out. Tonight, though, I’m not convinced it’s that. I quicken my pace and turn the corner, my arms wrapped tightly around my waist. Out of nowhere, a hand covers my mouth.
I gasp and struggle, desperately trying to wrestle out of their grip but it’s too strong. My heart pounds as I’m dragged backwards. I see a brick wall I recognize. The alleyway behind the theatre. I feel sick. I try to fight, but I can’t break free. I try to scream, but my muffled cry is lost in the wind. I freeze as he slides his other hand over my dress and across my waist. Oh, God, no. Please, no. I squeeze my eyes closed and brace myself.
“I never realized you were such a slut until tonight,” a voice hisses in my ear, too low for me to recognize. “I’m disappointed in you, Anna.”
I know him? Or at least, he knows me. I struggle against him, a new wave of energy hitting me, but it’s no use. Then, I’m suddenly thrown onto the ground.
“Get the fuck away from her.”
Dad.
I crawl far enough away that I feel like I can turn my head. I look up, just long enough to see my father struggling with my attacker. Dad has him by the arms, which are twisted behind his back. I gasp and get to my feet, my heart racing. Nathan. Tears sting my eyes.
Thank God Dad was here.
“Anna, call the police,” Dad says calmly.
Nodding, I take out my phone. My hands shake so much I can barely hold it steady, but somehow, I manage to complete the call. Two other men race over to help Dad restrain my attacker. I stand just out of the alley as I wait for the police, shaking uncontrollably. They arrive minutes later. One talks to me while the other officer places Nathan in the back of the police car.
“Are you okay?” The officer asks. “Did he hurt you?”
I shake my head and then somehow find the strength to nod.
“I’m fine. He didn’t get a chance before my father…” I s
hudder, not wanting to think too hard about what could’ve happened. She nods and takes off her jacket, putting it around me. I accept it gratefully.
“I’ll call you an ambulance, just to check you over,” she says.
“No, please don’t,” I say, not wanting this to become a big deal. “I’m fine. Really. I’m just shaken up. Once I get home, I’ll be okay.”
“Okay, but we’ll need you to make a statement. It’s better if you can do that tonight. Can your dad take you in?”
“I’ll drive you.” Dad nods. I turn around, not realizing he had walked over to us.
“Thanks,” I mumble.
We walk in silence to his car. I get in, still shivering.
“You’re shaking,” Dad says.
He shrugs off his jacket and hands it to me. I take a deep breath, trying to hold back tears as I slip it over the officer’s jacket. The combination of the two extra layers begins to stem the cold.
“Did he hurt you?” he chokes out. I shook my head.
“No. You got there—” I close my eyes, not trusting myself to finish the sentence, but then I take a deep breath and force myself to. “He didn’t do anything other than scare the hell out of me.”
“Jesus, Anna.” He hits the steering wheel, making me jump. “I could’ve killed the guy,” he mutters. “I wanted to fucking end him. Just like that. I could’ve snapped his neck.”
I believe him, too. There was a reason he was banned from attending my little league games when I was ten. He lost the plot during one game and punched a referee so hard that he broke his nose. I’m pretty sure he got banned from playing soccer when I was younger, too.
He glances at me. “Do you know him?”
“I…I’ve seen him around,” I say honestly. “I think I might’ve seen him watching me.”
“And you never thought to tell me about it?” he growls, his eyes flash with anger, but I know it’s not directed at me for once.
I wince and decide not to tell him about the time he exposed himself to me. Mainly because I’m too embarrassed. I know I should have reported him then, at the very least. If I had, then maybe this wouldn’t have happened.
“I'm sorry. I didn't think it was important, and you haven't exactly been easy to talk to lately,” I mumble.
He sighs and glances at me. “This is about Nick now, isn't it?” he asks sharply. I don't answer because I’m not in the mood for another argument. Dad doesn't press me to answer him, and I’m thankful for that.
We arrive at the station and go inside, taking a seat in the waiting area. I’m fidgety and jumpy, but considering what almost happened, I think I’m in pretty good spirits. All I want to do is get home so I can go to sleep. I shift uncomfortably in my chair, feeling restless. I’m about to stand up and go for a walk when a lady officer calls my name. I stand up and follow her. Dad gets up, too, but I shake my head.
“I need do this by myself,” I say. He shrugs like he doesn't care, but I can tell that it hurts him that I don’t want him in there.
I'm led into a room where they ask me to tell them exactly what happened. It's a brief summary because thankfully not much did happen, but I make sure to tell them everything.
“There was another incident three months ago,” I add softly.
She glances at me, nodding for me to continue.
“I was leaving the library to walk home late one afternoon when he jumped out from behind the side of the building.” I pause, frowning as I remember. “His, uh, his zipper wasn't up, and when I glanced down, I saw his penis poking out through his pants. He kept smiling at me.” I flush, embarrassed that I dismissed it so quickly as nothing. I never thought it would escalate to this.
“Is that all that happened?” she asks.
I nod. “I looked away and quickly left. He never bothered me again. I caught him watching me sometimes, like, when I was studying in the library a couple of weeks ago, but he never physically bothered me. I thought he was harmless,” I mumble.
I shudder, all those times he was watching me…God knows what he's been fantasizing about. I’m just relieved that my father was there to stop him before anything actually happened.
She tells me that I’m free to go. I thank her and walk back out into the waiting area. I’m surprised to see Dad is still sitting there because I’d half expected to be catching a cab home after what we’d been through over the last few days.
“You waited,” I said, pointing out the obvious.
“After what happened to you? Of course, I did,” he mutters. He seems angry that I’d suggest he wouldn’t. In hindsight, it was a pretty stupid thing to think. As if he’d leave me there to get home alone after what happened. “Come on. I'll take you home.”
I follow him out to his car and get in, clicking my seatbelt into the lock. It’s nearly eleven, and while I’m exhausted, I don’t think I’ll be sleeping for a while. I just keep thinking…what if Dad hadn’t turned up when he did? How far would Nathan have gone? I shudder, pushing it out of my mind. I’m okay, and that’s the main thing. I’ll drive myself crazy if I focus on the what ifs and the maybes.
I turn to Dad, a question burning in my mind.
“How did you know I was there?” I ask, frowning. Dad furrows his brow, his grip on the wheel tightening.
“I saw you go in there with Nick,” he mutters.
“At six?” I ask. He nods, color creeping into his cheeks.
“It’s irrational, but I wanted to make sure you were okay, so I waited until you left. I saw him leave, but not you. Then, when you finally did come out, it was dark, and I wanted to make sure you got home okay.”
“Why?” I ask softly. My heart races. I can’t believe he would sit there for that long to wait for me.
“Because you’re my daughter,” he finally growls. “I’ll always worry about you, Anna.” He stares at the road for a long time before facing me. “When you were little, I’d sometimes sit out the front of school and just wait for you, because I was afraid something would happen to you.”
“Really?” I whisper. This was the first I’d heard of this.
He nods. “I don’t know if it’s a single parent thing…I don’t know if Nick feels the same about his kids…” He stops. I glance out the window to avoid where I know this conversation is heading.
Neither of us say anything after that.
We pull into the driveway and Dad parks the car in the garage. I get out and walk up to the front door. I glance over at Nick’s window, then meet Dad’s gaze. I frown and look away, embarrassed that he caught me mid-thought.
He sighs and unlocks the door, then stalks inside and down to his room, slamming the door shut behind him. The sound echoes through me, making me jump. I quickly go inside, too, then lock the doors. Five minutes later, I’m checking again that I locked them. I know I’m just anxious over what happened, but every tiny noise has me jumping.
I wish Nick was here. Then I remember he doesn’t know.
Fuck.
It’s been at least another two hours since I told him I was leaving the theatre. I glance down the hallway to check that Dad’s door is still closed, then I pull out my phone. There’s a heap of missed calls and messages from Nick.
“I was getting worried about you,” he chuckles when he finally answers my call. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I just got home.” I pause and rub my head, knowing he’s going to overreact when I tell him. “Please don’t freak out, but I just got back from the police station.”
“What happened?” he asked, concern in his voice.
“I…when I was leaving the theatre, I was attacked. I’m fine,” I quickly add. “I promise you, I’m okay. I just wanted you to know.”
“Holy shit, what happened? Never mind, I’m coming over.”
“Nick, wait.” But he’s gone before I can tell him not to come.
I get up and walk over to the door. He’s there when I open it. Part of me is terrified of what Dad will do if he sees him here, and the
other part of me is touched that he cares so much. He wraps his arms around me and kisses me.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” He asks. He glances back at his house, and I guess it’s because the kids are in bed. I walk outside so we can sit on the chairs on the porch. I sit down, but he stands, facing me. “What happened?”
“I was walking home. I hadn’t gotten far when someone grabbed me from behind. He covered my mouth so I couldn’t scream and dragged me into the ally,” I say. My heart pounds, retelling the story. I shiver because, in my mind, it’s like it’s happening all over again. “I was so scared. Then out of nowhere, Dad took him down.”
“Your dad was there?” says Nick, sounding surprised.
I nod. “He saw us go into the theatre together, and he waited to make sure I was okay.”
Nick shakes his head, his eyes full of anger. “I’m so sorry,” he mutters. “I never should’ve let you walk home. I shouldn’t have left without you.”
My eyes widen. “No. You’re not doing that. I will not let you blame yourself because some creep who has been watching me for weeks decided to attack me,” I say. “I asked you to leave, Nick. I wanted to walk home. Do you really think I would’ve taken no for an answer?” I raise my eyebrows at him. He laughs and sits next to me, wrapping his arms around me.
“No,” he admits. He frowns suddenly. “Back up, he’s been watching you?”
The front door swings open.
“Anna, are you okay—?” Dad stops when he sees Nick.
I cringe. Here we go again.
Chapter Sixteen
Nick
“What the fuck were you thinking, leaving her there?” Dan growls.
His hands clench into fists by his side, and he glares at me as I tighten my grip around his daughter’s waist. I frown because I’m beating myself up enough without him hammering it down my throat.
“I left her there at eight-thirty in the evening in a quiet town, Dan,” I say. “It wasn't like it was three in the morning in the middle of the Bronx. She wasn't ready to leave, so I let her stay.”
My heart pounds. I’m seconds away from breaking but doing everything I can to keep it together. Thank fucking God she isn’t hurt.
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