by Ryan, Syd
“Jamie, listen to me. I need you to pack your stuff and stay with me a couple of days until we know everything is going to be alright. Can you do that for me?” I feel like I’m in a maze and can’t get out even though I have a friend giving me directions. “Jamie, I want you to get off the phone and pack up a bag for a couple of days. OK?” Regan tells me in a soothing tone. I know she will be a great mother one day. A good, loving, put-together one.
“OK, Regan. I will do it.”
“After we get you out, I will have Grayson go over to your apartment and see if we need to contact the police.” I end the call, agreeing to what Regan thinks is best at the moment.
I should be packing my overnight bag, but fear has me sitting on the edge of the bed. I can’t get up and move; a sense of dread is taking me over. The rational part of me knows he can’t get to me since I’m locked inside my apartment. But maybe he could get a key from the apartment complex maintenance guy. He can charm people into thinking he has no issues. A million thoughts run wild through my brain, making the fear worse. I completely understand why people have anxiety disorders—the feeling can be crucifying.
I manage to stay lost in my thoughts until the doorbell rings. I’m too frightened to get off the bed. I know that Regan is coming over to get me, and I need to answer the door. But I’m fearful of what is out there, even though I expect it to be my best friend. I have to open the door. He will not leave until I open the door.
“Jamie, open up. Regan called me and told me that I needed to come over.” I open the door and am greeted by the one and only Gavin Rodgers.
Chapter 8
I need to get myself together. I’m praying that Gavin doesn’t see me as the chicken shit that I feel like at the moment. I want to strangle Regan more than ever. I have no doubt that I will be going off on her. “Hey, Gavin. I’m not sure why Regan sent you over here. I’m sure you have better things you could be doing.” But my shaky tone gives it away.
“Jamie, I’m here because I want to be here. What is going on? Regan told me you have someone stalking you. I’m not playing games with you, I want to know what the hell is going on. I told you to call me if you need anything, and I hear from your best friend and not you. I want you to tell me everything from the beginning.” Gavin says all this in an authoritative caveman tone, which I don’t appreciate.
I’m thoroughly distracted by Gavin’s hotness. I’m in a crisis, and his heavenly body is throwing me off my game. I would probably sell my soul to the devil just to experience it. He is looking pissed as I stand there staring at him. “Gavin, please come in. I would prefer not to have this discussion in front of all my neighbors.” I shut my door with a little bit of force, to make myself feel in control. “Would you like to have a seat?”
Gavin looks around my apartment. I can’t believe Regan did this. I’m going to throttle her. I want to get my hands on Regan even more than Gavin at this moment. I would say that speaks volumes considering I am dying to get acquainted with Gavin’s V-shaped abdominal muscles. I’m feeling self-conscious as Gavin looks through my apartment.
“How long have you lived here, Jamie?”
I was hoping he would not lead off with that. Now I have to explain myself. “I have lived here for six months.” He shakes his head, and I can see the wheels turning. “If you are going to psychoanalyze me, you can go ahead and leave.” He needs to know I’m not in the mood for bullshit.
“Your apartment looks like you just moved in, that is why I was asking you. OK, let’s table this for another discussion. We have more pressing matters at hand. I want you to tell me what is going on, from beginning to end.”
I sit on the sofa and draw my legs up toward my chest. I want to curl up in a ball and hope it all goes away. “The night I came home from the first anger management session, I learned that Doug from Anesthesia lives in the townhouses across from my apartment. Doug invited me to use the pool with him, and I politely turned him down. He offered to help me carry my bags to the apartment. I didn’t want him knowing where I lived. I made some excuse and thanked him for offering to help me.” I take a deep breath to calm my nerves.
Gavin’s body language speaks volumes. His anger is reaching a boiling point. “So, you are telling me that Doug lives in the same apartment complex.” Gavin shakes his head like he is having trouble accepting this information.
“How did you not know he lived here?” I say. “I thought you guys were bros before hoes.”
“Obviously, I have not been to his house. Doug and I hang out at work, sometimes meeting up at a bar. Our schedules are busy, and that is pretty much all we do. His on-call hours are all over the place.”
“Well, as you know, I have worked sixteen-hour shifts for the past two days. The gang wars don’t stop for emergency room nurses. Let me go back. When I have spoken with Doug in the past, he was just a plain asshole. But that day in the parking lot, I was creeped out by him. He didn’t seem to want to accept ‘no.’ I got an eerie feeling from him. I went home, locked up all the windows and doors, and texted you. For the past two days, I haven’t heard from him. My guess is that he was just as busy as we were in the emergency room.
“When I saw Doug the other day, he kept insisting on us using the apartment complex pool. I brushed him off, and I got the feeling he didn’t like it. I purposely went the other way going back to my apartment. Today, I came home from the beach. A note was on the door, and I thought it was some bullshit from the maintenance guys and they needed to come in.” I go over to the dining room table, pick up the note with a Kleenex, and hand it over to Gavin.
He reads the letter and lays it on the table. He looks frustrated. I know it must be hard knowing your friend is a dick. It happens to me all the time. But that doesn’t take away from what he is feeling at the moment. “Gavin, if you want to go home, I get it. I wouldn’t want to put you in an uncomfortable situation.
“I’m going home alright, and you need to pack a bag because you are coming with me. I’m not leaving here without you. Regan was spot on about calling me. Jamie, I do not want to hear your shit. Please do not give me a hard time. It is taking everything in me not to go and rip Doug to shreds.” Gavin’s voice leaves no room for argument, and his crystal blue eyes and the hardness of his jaw reveals his barely contained anger.
“Umm...Gavin?”
“Jamie, the only thing I want to hear from you is that you are packed and ready.
“Do you think we should contact the police?”
Gavin takes a breath, attempting to center himself. “I have a guy I play basketball with, in a pickup league, who is a police officer. I’m going to contact him and have him look into it. Until I hear back from him, I do not want you staying here.” Gavin places his hand on my cheek, tilting my head so I’m looking into his eyes. “I can’t have anything happen to you, Jamie. It would kill me if you got hurt. For the love of God, please pack your stuff and put me out of my misery.” The sincerity in his eyes speaks volumes. I have never been someone’s priority before.
I’m already scared of this stalking situation, and now that Gavin is showing me he cares about me, all these unwanted and crazy thoughts are going through my head. I’m in my spare bedroom trying to pack a bag. I need some control over this situation, so I’m only going to take enough clothes for two days. This gives him two days to contact his friend at the police station. If I need more time, I will just go to Regan’s house. I’m off one more day, then work the next.
I grab my berry paisley Vera Bradley duffle bag. I pack my scrubs, yoga pants, and a tank top. I add fun to my overnight bag by packing my white see-through bikini and my pink vibrator. I put my makeup bag and hygiene stuff in there and add my flip-flops and nursing shoes. I’m going to treat these next two days like a vacation—a staycation, that is—and I plan to be utilizing his pool.
I walk out into the living room and see Gavin lost in thought. He is looking out the window, and I wonder if he is trying to find Doug’s apartment.
“I think...I have everything ready.’’
Gavin nods. “I made sure everything is locked up when you were getting your bag ready.”
“I already had that taken care of, as you saw. I have lived in some pretty shady areas, so I know to make sure everything is secure. How do you want to get to your house? Do you expect me to follow you, or do you want me to ride with you?”
“I want you to ride with me. I can’t let anything happen to you. I mean it, Jamie.”
“Gavin, you can’t expect me not to go anywhere for the next few days. How am I supposed to get to work?”
“I will take you anywhere you need to go, and if for some reason I can’t, you can use my extra car in the garage. I’m planning to be off work the rest of today and tomorrow. I will go back to work when you go home.” Gavin smiles brightly like the cat that ate the canary because his plan is working to perfection. All I know is he is not keeping me on lockdown. If I want to go somewhere without his ass, I will do it happily.
I lock the apartment up securely, and Gavin eyes my keys. “Don’t even ask,” I say. “I will be keeping these.”
Gavin chuckles at that one. Of course, he is not going to admit he was going to take them. He takes the duffle bag from me; it’s nice to know chivalry isn’t dead. As he opens the door to leave, I look around for Doug. My anxiety rises; I felt calm up in my apartment. My eyes are starting to tear up. If I’m honest I haven’t cried since the day I found the letter my parents left me. I keep telling myself this isn’t the time to be upset. If I’m going to cry, it has to be over something way more critical than this shit with Doug. I’m not giving Doug this power over me. I refuse.
It feels like Gavin knows what is bothering me. He moves the duffle bag to his other shoulder and holds my hand for dear life, like he is afraid to lose me. I admit I need this from him.
The only time I saw Gavin’s car was the night I stayed over at his house. It was dark, and when I left in the morning, I was in such a hurry I didn’t notice it. He drives a brand-new black Honda Pilot. Damn, this car is expensive. I’m sure it’s about thirty-eight thousand dollars.
Gavin releases my hand, and I don’t want him to. He puts my bag in the trunk of his car, which has third-row seating. I love Hondas even though they’re expensive; I love any car that is less than five years old for that matter. Gavin walks me to the passenger side and belts me into the seat.
“ I like your car. Hell, it seats eight. Do you drive a basketball team around?” I laugh
“No, not a basketball team. Well, maybe if it is a team of boys. I got this car in preparation for having kids one day.” I am speechless. I don’t know if I should be happy or scared. “I’m not sure if you remember that I live in a gated community. I feel so much safer with you at my house.”
I remember a lot of details about his home, but I pretend not to be interested. I can’t have him thinking he has the upper hand.
“Sorry, I don’t remember. Is it OK for me to be at your house since I’m in your anger management group?”
Gavin releases a puff of air; I can sense his frustration with me. Of course, I love it. I want to see him off his game. “The anger management group at the hospital is not a therapeutic group, it is an educational group. Therefore I’m not comitting any ethical violations.”
I laugh at him. “Whatever makes you feel better...Gavin. The reason I’m bringing it up is that if Doug gets wind of me staying with you, I’m sure he is going to go to your supervisor or the director of the hospital.”
“Doug needs to be worried about himself, especially if he wants to keep his job. I wonder if anyone has made any sexual harassment complaints against him. I’m going to tell Jason in hospital security to keep an eye out for you and to keep his eyes on Doug and his whereabouts.”
“I can talk to Jason or the security supervisor myself.” I am frustrated. I can take care of myself; I have been doing it for years. Hell, I took care of my sibings since I was ten years old.
“Jamie, I know you are a strong woman and can take care of yourself. You take care of yourself and others all the time, let me take care of this for you.” I nod and stare out the window, looking everywhere and nowhere, realizing Gavin has one-upped me in this situation.
Chapter 9
When we arrive at Gavin’s, I’m even more exhausted—the past two days are catching up with me. I knew becoming an emergency room nurse would be stressful, but these gang shootings are something else entirely. It is too much. I want to put in another year in the emergency room. Then, hopefully, I will get a job at a plastic surgery office. I’m ready to join the world of shallow assholes and get free work done on myself.
Gavin grabs my bag and walks to his door holding my hand. I feel like a proud girlfriend which, of course, I’m not. I enjoy the feeling, regardless. Gavin keys in the code to the house. “The code to the house is 0124. Use it anytime you need it. OK?”
He gave me the code to get into his house. I shake my head thinking, who does that? Apparently, he is not afraid I will rob him blind.
He places my duffle bag in the foyer. “Do you need a tour of the house, or do you remember?”
“All houses are the same, I think I’m good.” I don’t want to show him that I know details about his home.
“Jamie, you can stay in one of the bedrooms that has a full bath. The housekeeper was here yesterday, and everything is clean. Help yourself to anything, and if there is anything you need let me know.
“So, since your housekeeper cleaned up, have you been busy having guests over?”
“The last guest in my house was you, Jamie. You are the last person to spend the night here.” Gavin smiles vibrantly at me, leaving me dumbstruck.
Gavin throws me off my game; it is so frustrating. I want to share his bed, but I know that is not the best decision. I have a tendency not to make the best choices. I will own it. I need some space to get my thoughts together. “The day has been long, I’m going to take a shower. I want to get this beach off my body. I still have my swimsuit on.”
Gavin’s eyes sweep over my body, and his lust is clearly visible. “Sure, no problem. Do you want to order a pizza tonight? Tomorrow night I will grill us dinner if that works for you.” Gavin sounds distracted.
I gather my bag and head to the spare bedroom down the hall. Gavin’s bedroom is at the other end of the house. My room is simply furnished. The bed is queen sized with a standard wooden headboard. There’s a chest of drawers and a desk, and a window faces the backyard. He has one painting on the wall, the kind you’d see in a hotel room. I have to admit his house doesn’t look like a bachelor pad. Unfortunately, I have a lot of experience in bachelor pads. Taking in the environment, my guilt about my apartment begins to set in. I have nothing on my walls and boxes are still packed. There is nothing personal about it. I hope Gavin doesn’t bring up the apartment tonight. I have had enough for one day.
I plan to take a quick shower, but I zone out as I leave my conditioner on my hair for three minutes, and three minutes turns into twelve. What was I thinking about? Not a fucking clue.
I finish up quickly, grateful that I did my shaving earlier today. I go through the cabinets looking for evidence that a woman has stayed here, but I come up with nothing except a generic body wash. I dry off with a fluffy white towel and decide to buy some for my apartment. The luxurious feeling has me completely distracted and comforted. I lotion up my body, a necessity after a day in the sun. I attempt to comb out my wild curls and realize I’m too tired to deal with it this evening. I want to keep my bra off, but I just don’t feel like we are there yet. Bra, t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops are my attire for the night. No beauty pageant for Gavin tonight. I grab my Kindle, ready to finish a steamy romance by Vanessa Fewings. I almost have the series completed; Cameron is my book boyfriend. He is stiff competition for the real men in my life. Kindle in hand, I head for the living room.
Gavin is nowhere in sight. I lie on his sofa, making myself very comfortable. Gavin
has leather furniture, and the coolness is soothing on my skin. I cover myself with a throw blanket just as the doorbell rings. I answer the door, and the pizza delivery guy is standing there. I don’t even think he is old enough to drive. I signal him to wait a minute and go to get Gavin. Yelling his name down the hall gets no response. I hear a shower running. I walk to the edge of the bedroom so he can hear me. “Gavin, the pizza guy is here.” I get no response, and I walk in, repeating myself.
The sight before me has me utterly speechless. I can see Gavin through the frosted doors in all his naked glory. The side view of his powerful athletic form has my panties instantly wet. I find my voice a third time. “Gavin, the pizza guy is here.”
“Jamie, the money is on the table, tell him to keep the change.”
Walking out the door is the last thing I want to do at this moment. I want to join this beautiful specimen of a man in the shower. All I know is that, before the night ends, I’ll need at least three orgasms from my battery-operated friend.
I put the pizza on the kitchen counter and grab plates and napkins.
“Did you get everything OK?” Gavin walks out with a towel hanging low on his hips. My favorite part, the V, is on full display, and his chest is covered with droplets of water. The sight before me has me bewildered. “Yes, I got it. Thanks.”
Gavin winks at me as he turns and leaves the room. He appears a few minutes later dried off and wearing clothes. We both make our plates. “Do you want a beer?”
“Beer would be perfect to go with this pizza. I hope the pizza is OK, I ordered pepperoni, bacon, banana peppers, and extra cheese.” He got my favorite pizza. I smile brightly at him, thankful for the kind gesture. “How did you know what to order? Did you call Regan and ask her what I like on my pizza? That’s so high school.”
“No, I went the 2017 way. I used your phone and called a pizza place you had in your contacts, and they read your regular order to me.”