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Eleven
Phillip
Despite my resolve last night to put some distance between myself and Dustin, I didn’t hesitate this morning when he asked if we were doing breakfast. Then again, he’d dropped everything the instant Adrienne called.
And it was a completely different situation.
I opened the passenger door for Adrienne. “You take the front. I’ll call the police.”
She took her seat, lips pursed, and I slid into the second row, putting myself between Dustin and Addie so I could see them both.
“What are young going to tell them?” Adrienne asked when I pulled out my phone. “That my ex-husband dropped by my apartment to talk to me?”
Dustin started the truck. “He’s stalking you.”
“Says you. Says me.” Adrienne’s voice was tight. “He’ll say otherwise.”
I hovered my thumb over the keypad, ready to dial. “It’s three against one.” It didn’t work that way, I knew, but she couldn’t let this drop.
She twisted in her seat and covered my hand with hers. “Please don’t. I’m not...” She clenched her jaw as she trailed off.
“Not what?”
She puffed out her cheeks and exhaled. “Not in the mood to be told it’s nothing, and that maybe I should just hear the guy out.”
“Ah.” That killed a lot of my replies.
“What are you going to do when he keeps coming back?” Dustin navigated traffic with practiced ease.
Adrienne shrugged. “I’ll deal with it. I didn’t this time, but I’ll figure it out. I’m sorry I made it your problem, but I know it’s really on me to handle.” She sounded apologetic and distressed.
Neither one felt right.
“He wants to talk, then tell me where he lives and I’ll go talk to him,” Dustin said.
I understood the sentiment, but also the futility of it.
“That will not make things better.” Adrienne’s answer didn’t surprise me.
Dustin turned another corner toward our usual breakfast place. “It might.”
She shook her head, but a small laugh escaped. “I can’t stay by your side forever, and if you piss him off, he’s going to look for a way to make himself feel better. I just want him to go away, and I’ll figure it out.”
I wanted to tell her ignoring the problem wouldn’t make it go away, and I didn’t see how it could. But like any troll in any online game or forum, giving him attention wouldn’t help either.
“I’ve got it, I promise,” Adrienne said.
I wasn’t used to hearing that tone from her. Deception? It couldn’t be. I didn’t know her well enough to make assumptions, though, and despite all of this, I only needed to know her well enough to teach her how to do my job.
Dustin could stand getting to know her better, though. The two of them worked well together, already, and that dynamic could be enhanced. This morning seemed like the perfect way to nudge their friendship closer, and for me to start stepping back.
That didn’t mean I liked dropping the subject of how to help Adrienne with her ex, but I didn’t know what to say that hadn’t already been said.
We reached the same diner we hit up every other weekend, parked in the same spot, and inside, waved at the same waitress as we sat at the same table as always. When did my life become so intertwined with Dustin’s?
The difference today was Dustin slid in next to Adrienne. They were cute together. A knot formed in my chest and I ignored it.
“Hey, guys.” Heather greeted us with her same friendly smile. “And new friend. Is this your sister?” She looked at Dustin.
