Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 33401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
As I scroll, I hear the trees out back scraping against the back windows. It must be a windy night. The branches scratch the glass and then fall away again, and I sigh. It's peaceful, but I'm restless. My body is sore, but I feel like I have energy. Why in the world can't I relax?
Scratch, scratch, scratch. The sound continues, and it seems to get louder. More consistent.
I sit upright, a chill running down my spine. Could it be a tree branch?
Or...
No, Bailey, I order myself. No, that's ridiculous. It isn’t your stalker, and he's not here. It's just a breeze and some branches.
I settle back into the pillows. But then I hear it.
Tap tap tap.
Someone is knocking on the window in my room. I'm frozen in terror. My blood runs cold and my limbs are stiff. Then, the worst realization of all hits me—my bedroom windows are open.
I can't scream. I can't breathe. My ears are ringing. The knock comes again, and now it's on the back door. Someone is trying to get in.
Fight or flight kicks in, and suddenly my body is flooded with adrenaline. I leap off the couch and race to the bathroom in the center of the house where there are no windows, making sure to snatch my phone off the couch. I slam and lock the door and sink to the ground, gasping for breath.
I need to call 911. But when I pick up my phone with my shaking hands, that's not the number I dial.
Instead, I call Porter.
"Bailey?" he answers, and his gruff voice is immediately comforting. "Baby, what's the matter?"
I gulp a lungful of air. "Porter," I sob, and tears are starting to flow. "Porter, please help me."
"Bailey." His voice is hard, and I can tell his protective instincts are kicking in. "Where are you?"
"Someone is outside the house."
"Outside the house?"
"Yes!"
"Is Renae home?"
"No, she went out for the night."
"Fuck. Okay, baby, listen to me. Do not unlock that door. Is there somewhere else safe that you can go?"
"I'm in the bathroom with the door locked. There aren't any windows and it's an old-style deadbolt—"
"Listen, I'm on my way, Bailey. Stay on the line with me. I'm going to drive as fast as I can, but don't hang up. Keep the doors locked and just try to stay calm. Okay?"
"Yeah," I breathe. Tears are streaming down my face, but the sound of Porter's voice is steadying me. He's going to protect me. "Thank you, Porter. I didn't know who else to call."
"I'm glad you called. Bailey. Are you breathing? Can you take a deep breath for me?"
I inhale slowly.
"Good, sweetheart. Again."
I take another shaky breath. Porter keeps coaching me, his voice soothing in my ear, until finally I feel calmer. Time doesn't seem to flow normally with all the terror that I'm feeling, so before I know it, I hear the tires of Porter's truck screeching into the driveway.
"I'm going to hang up now and check outside. But you don't have to be scared anymore. I'm here baby."
"Okay," I whisper.
The phone clicks and Porter is gone. A few minutes pass, and then there's a pounding on the bathroom door.
"Bailey it's me," he calls. "Let me in."
I scramble to my feet and throw open the door. Porter catches me as I hurl myself into his arms. He pulls me tight against his chest, and one of his large hands strokes my back.
"Shh," he murmurs. "It's okay. I've got you now."
"Oh, Porter—" I sniffle.
"Hey, it's alright. Did you call the police?"
I shake my head against his chest. "No. You were the first person I called. You just sounded so...capable, I guess."
Porter chuckles. "Well, thank you, sweetheart." He pulls back and wipes the tears from my face with his thumbs. When he speaks again, his voice is completely serious—there’s no room for argument. "Go pack a bag, Bailey. You're coming home with me."
I hesitate, and Porter tilts my chin up. "Did you hear what I said?"
I nod.
"Words, Bailey."
"Yes."
"Good. Go pack a bag, sweetheart. This is not up for discussion. I'm not leaving you here, and there is no way I'm letting you go to a hotel. Understand me?"
"Yes, Porter."
"Good girl."
His praise sends a thrill through my belly, and I feel an ache in my core despite everything. Porter's dark eyes are locked on mine, and he seems to realize the effect his words have on me. His lips curl into a satisfied grin, and he brushes a stray hair away from my face. "Pack a bag, Bailey, and let's get the hell out of here."
I hurry into my bedroom, throwing things into the first suitcase I can find. The wind is still blowing hard outside, and the occasional genuine scratch of branches against the window has me on edge. Is it possible I imagined everything?
It doesn't matter, though. I called Porter for help, and now I have to go home with him. It might feel like a punishment for some, but a big part of me is so freaking relieved. With Porter, nothing will happen. Surely, I'll only have to stay for a few days.