"Didn't mean to freak you out, though, Ms. Paranoid." He grins and pushes his body off the counter.
He walks by me and grabs the door handle. "Later, Ms. Walker, if you need anything, let me know."
Are you kidding me right now? Who even does that? Who was this guy anyway? I sit down and go through my email to find my reservation confirmation. There it is. Banks Properties. I close out the window and go to Facebook to creep. Judson Banks. Nothing. Well, that was a bust. I am usually really good at Facebook investigation, thanks to Cami. I don't have much energy to keep trying and honestly could care less. I have already forgotten what he even looked like, and I don't think i'd be able to find him anyway. I sling the phone down on the coffee table. I want to go out for seafood but decide against it. Ultimately, I decide to stay in tonight and order take out.
After a few minutes of rummaging through the cabinets, I find a wine glass and overfill it with Moscato. I barely touch the pizza I ordered and run a bath. I slide my tiny body into the bubbles, and once again, I feel at peace. Something about the water washes away all my fear. I close my eyes, and the first thing that comes to mind is the image of Dakota's face, his eyes filled with tears. Why don't I miss him? I mean, I guess I do, sort of. In a sick and twisted, "I don't want to be alone" kind of way.
The house is silent. No one to ask me how I'm doing. No one to judge me. No one to know my secrets. This place is perfect. I slip on an oversized sweatshirt and some leggings and go to the couch, alone, finally.
CHAPTER 3
JUDSON
Intrigued is about the only word I have to describe what's going on in my head right now. Who is this girl? She can't be more than 20-21 years old. She looks like she is still in high school, though honestly. I flip open my laptop and scroll through about what seems like ten thousand emails, looking for her booking. I'm typically not the one to handle anything to do with any of the vacation properties, but I figured I would run her the key since I'm in town. I skim through the email and don't find much more information than her name, Blakely Walker. I don't even entertain the thought of social media and pull my laptop closed.
I blow out a laugh at myself for even caring and pull out my phone. My baby brother is in school in Savannah, and if it weren't for me looking out for him and paying for everything, I'm not sure where he would end up. He has been in and out of trouble since mom died, everything from drugs to bar fights. You name it, Jameson is at the heart of the scene. I may be a lot of things, and the way I turned out could be questionable, but one thing is for sure, I am a damn good brother. That kid hasn't had much direction, but what little he has received has been from me, not that I should be giving fatherly advice to anyone. I click the message, ready for a dirty meme:
Jameson- Big game against State next weekend. You want to get your busy ass down here?
Judson- Someone has to pay for your drinks you are buying for all your girlfriends. I'll try to be there.
It's his first year of college. He just turned eighteen, and up until I moved him into an apartment a month ago, he lived with me. When dad got in trouble, I went to court to be his legal guardian. Unfortunately, when you're 22 with a 12-year-old to look after, it doesn't do much for the dating scene. Not that any of the girls from college even stood a chance. I wasn't much for relationships. Luckily Aunt Karen was close enough to help with Jameson occasionally so I could still make work trips and shit that paid the bills. Jay has played football for the better part of his whole life; he loves it and is pretty good. I wasn't much for the sports scene. It was hard for me to watch something where I couldn't control the outcome. I encouraged him to put everything he had into sports the latter part of high school to keep him away from a lot of the trouble he was getting in. He ended up playing college ball as a walk-on, and so far, so good. I don't mind taking care of him. I try to do what mom would have wanted. I've learned the hard way that I can't be his best friend, so we are close, but it's not what a typical brother relationship should be.
Shit. I guess I'm going to have to watch some football.
As soon as I lay my phone back down on the sleek counter, my mind shoots right back to her long dark hair swinging. I run my hands through my hair. I don't think I've ever been so fascinated by a woman, especially one not ready for a night on the town. This girl had not one ounce of makeup on, and she was still beautiful, freckles and all. The way she tossed her attitude at me finds the corner of my mouth turning up into a smirk. I mean, I did let myself in the house and scared the shit out of her, but she wasn't the least bit afraid. The little spitfire probably would've tried to kick my ass, not that she could've, but hell, that would've been fun to watch. I sink back into the couch cushion. I have to think about something else,someoneelse.
CHAPTER 4
BLAKELY
November 5
The past few days went by pretty fast. The beach has really calmed my soul. When I am looking out into the ocean, everything seems so much bigger than just me. Sometimes I feel like I could just go out there and let it swallow me and forget everything. Unfortunately, it's not that simple, and every night when I close my eyes, it catches back up with me.
"Blakely, wait! Please let me hold you! It's going to be okay, just stop..." I jerk awake in a cold sweat. I run my sweaty hand over my forehead and pull myself up to sit. What time is it anyway?
I grasp my phone and push the home button to awaken the time. 5:50AM. Great. Well, there is absolutely no way I can go to sleep after that. I need coffee. I cram my feet into some tennis shoes and grab my purse and keys. The smell of the beach fills my nose as I open the door. The salt air is definitely something I could see myself getting used to. I walk to my car and open the door. Instead of getting in, I slam the door back. I wander down the street to a little diner that I saw on my way in.
It's small and has a retro vibe, and not very busy considering it's only 6 AM. I slide into a corner booth and pick up a menu and flip through. I decide on a waffle and order a coffee. The waitress comes back, and the most amazing smell of coffee fills the air. I find myself smiling.What the hell is wrong with me?I giggle a little under my breath, I really am losing my shit.
"So, the crazy girl also laughs at herself?"
A man slides into the booth across from me. I look up at him, but I can't get any of my words to come out.
"Judson, from the other day… remember?" I just look at him. Why am I not speaking? I'm typically a talkative person, and it's not often I'm rendered speechless.
The waitress comes by, "Hey Judson, Can I get you anything?"
"Coffee, Anna, thanks." He smiles at her and then looks back at me. That smile. Who is this guy? Is he following me? He's tall, muscular build. He is dressed in a hoodie and sweat pants, tousled dark hair and dark eyes. He looks at me, and I feel like those dark eyes are looking straight into my heart.
"So what is a pretty girl like you doing here alone at 6 AM?" He smirks. The stubble on his chin is inviting me to look, and it's practically begging me to touch it.
I take a sip of my coffee.
"I don't know what is a guy like you doing breaking into houses and stalking girls?"
He laughs. "Easy killer. I come here a lot, and I don't typically classify myself as the psycho-stalker serial killer type."