Page 29 of Stalkers Anonymous

Hailey is clearly in some kind of danger, and I have the skills to help her. That’s not stalking—that’s being a decent fucking human being.

I pull out my phone, ignoring Jack’s Did you get her number? text while I pull up a private browser window. It would be so easy to get answers. I could probably have a full picture of the situation in under an hour.

Don’t do it, Cole.

The voice in my head sounds disturbingly like Tyler’s.

I force myself to pocket the phone and keep walking.

…

Hailey and I have been texting all afternoon. Pretty much since the second she woke up. I’ve been avoiding what I really want to talk about, but I can’t take it anymore. The itch to know is eating me alive. It’s taken everything in me not to dig deeper on my own, but I have to know she’s safe.

Cole: Actually, I wanted to ask you something. About yesterday.

The three dots appear, then disappear. Appear again.

Hailey: The note?

Cole: Yeah. I know you said you had it handled, but I’ve been thinking about it. Do you have a home security system? Is that something you’ve put much thought into?

There’s a long pause. I can imagine her on the other side of the screen, debating how much to tell me, whether to keep insisting everything’s fine or admit she’s worried.

Hailey: Honestly? Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I don’t have a security system at my apartment. I didn’t think I needed one.

My pulse quickens at the thought of her completely unprotected.

Cole: Nothing? Smart locks, alarm? Does the building have cameras?

Hailey: Lobby has a camera on the front door. Other than that, just a regular deadbolt and a baseball bat by the door.

A baseball bat. Jesus Christ.

I type carefully, not wanting to sound like I’m lecturing her.

Cole: A baseball bat is a great start for close range, but prevention is also important. Cameras would deter someone from being bold, too. There are some pretty affordable options that are easy to install.

Hailey: I wouldn’t even know where to start. I’m not exactly tech-savvy.

Cole: I could help with that.

I pause, contemplating what to say next. I have a metric fuck-ton of security equipment at my place, but I can’t really tell her that without scaring her off. That’s something future me will have to ease her into. For now, I have to play it cool.

Cole: I can stop by my home security guy’s place and pick up something simple for you. Nothing overwhelming, I promise.

The three dots appear, disappear, appear again. I hold my breath. Please let me help.

Hailey: Would you really? That would be amazing.

Relief floods through me.

Cole: Of course. When works for you?

Hailey: I’m off for four days starting tomorrow morning when my shift ends. But I’ll probably sleep most of the day.

Cole: We could grab dinner tomorrow evening and I can talk you through some options. If you want.

I hit send and immediately wonder if I’m pushing too hard. Am I being creepy?