“A relationship with Hadley. I’m not trying to be a dick, but she’s been hurt a lot by the people who love her most. I was surprised you two were together, but I’m not blind to the way she looks at you. To how she’salwayslooked at you. If you change your mind midway through this thing, it’ll kill her.”
I stopped my slow back and forth rocking. “I’m not going to change my mind. Hadley was my refuge, too. I needed her just as much. I just let myself run scared. I pushed her away, and I’ll never forgive myself for that.”
Hayes studied me. “Just wanted to hear that you were sure.”
I was. I’d never been more certain of anything in my life.
28
Hadley
“I’m not goinginto work an hour early with you so that I can twiddle my thumbs.”
Calder’s jaw hardened as he glared at me from across the kitchen. “I don’t like the idea of you being alone right now.”
I set my empty bowl in the sink. “I get that you’re worried, but Hayes left me a terrifying goody bag of all sorts of things to keep me safe.” There was pepper spray, a taser, some spiked thing to put on my key chain, and a personal alarm. “No one is going to kidnap me when I go get coffee downtown. I’ll park right in front of the coffee shop.”
Calder said nothing, simply leaned against the counter with his arms crossed.
I crossed the space and laid my hands on his arms, stretching up on my tiptoes and brushing my lips against his. “I need a little bit of normal. I want to get coffee for Jones and me. If you’re nice, I might even get one for you.”
“Fine,” he grumbled. “But text me when you get there and when you leave for the station.”
“Deal.” I would take it and run. “Now, go so you aren’t late for your meeting.”
“Bossy,” he muttered.
I slapped his butt as he walked out of the kitchen. “Or am I just a boss?”
“I’ll take it either way.”
I chuckled as I heard the front door close and Calder’s SUV start. Thankful we’d picked up mine on the way home last night, I grabbed my bag and headed out, locking the door behind me.
I found a spot almost directly in front of The Bean, which was lucky since tourist traffic was picking up. It would be June before we knew it, and the season would be in full swing. I hopped out of my vehicle and headed towards the coffee house.
I inhaled deeply as I entered. Had to be one of my favorite scents in the universe. I waved at Meghan, working the espresso machine, and then smiled at Calla behind the counter.
“Hey,” she greeted. “You okay? Toby showed me what happened to the channel.”
That little happy buzz I felt at the scent of coffee fled in a flash at the memory of all those photos. “I’m hanging in there. Just need to be a little more careful for now. We need to keep with no new videos or posts for a while longer.”
Calla winced. “Does Toby know?”
“I texted him, but I’m pretty sure he thinks I’ll change my mind.”
“I’m so sorry this is happening, Hadley.”
So was I. The thing that had given me community and purpose was now showing me its dark side. I’d always known it had been there to some degree, but this was a whole other level of messed up. “Hopefully, they’ll figure out who’s doing this, and we can all get back to normal.”
Calla gave me a reassuring smile, but I could see the doubt around the edges. She knew as well as I did that finding someone who was harassing you online was like searching for a needle in a haystack. “I hope so. And in the meantime, I can make sure you’re caffeinated.”
“That would be greatly appreciated. I’ll take Jones’ and my regular orders.”
“Coming right up.”
The bell over the door tinkled, and I glanced over my shoulder. My appetite for coffee soured as Jackie strode towards me. As she approached, I took in everything about her. The angles of her face were sharper, everything about her harder somehow, but I guessed that was what happened when you went to prison.
Jackie bypassed the register and came straight to me. Her gaze was assessing, sweeping over my face and body. I suddenly wished I wasn’t wearing my uniform. Jackie wore figure-hugging black pants and a shirt that dipped in the front, showing off a hint of cleavage. My uniform consisted of cargo pants and a button-down that weren’t exactly the height of fashion.