The only thing now we need to address is the stalker thing.
I prompt her on it when we’re halfway back to her place.
“Babe, that was a lot,” I say as I reach for her hand and give her a squeeze.
“It was,” she sighs. “And I need to talk to my sister.”
“Soon.” I nod. “Let’s just take a breath. We both need it.”
“Can we go back to Mercer?” She asks.
I glance at her. “You want to go and stay there?”
“Yeah. I think it would be good for us to get out of the city. Don’t you?”
“You still want to be near me?”
She glances at me. “Ty, you’re worth all of this that we’re going through. I’ve never felt this way before. It’s scary what’s unfolding, but I’m willing to see where this takes us.”
“You’re beautiful. I meant every word I said to your parents. I also believe you’re too good to me, Cindy. And if you want to walk away now, I can accept that.”
“I don’t want to walk away. I meant what I said too.”
I don’t know how it can be possible she’s not heading for the hills, but I’m glad about it.
“Why don’t we grab some things from your place and we’ll head out there?”
“That sounds good.”
I’m stunned but pleased she wants to be there with me. Thank God she has some time off work. I don’t know how she would be doing any of this and going to the stadium right now. It’s a lot on both of our parts.
“Cindy, your mom said something that disturbed me quite a bit this afternoon.”
“What part?” She scoffs sarcastically.
“The college stalker?”
She pales a little and shifts in her seat. “Oh. That.”
“Oh, that? It doesn’t sound like a small thing, baby. The worst part is, I may have accidentally overheard your dad on the phone talking to your mom when I was going into his office a while back.”
She stares at me. “You overheard him talking to my mom?”
“He said something about a stalker in college, yes.”
“Oh my god. And you’re just telling me this now?”
“It was before we started… shit!” I run a hand over my head. “Nothing I say is going to be right at the moment. But yes, I overheard the back end of a conversation. And since I heard it, I’ve felt protective towards you, more than normal.”
“Like meeting me outside the stadium after I finish work?”
“Yes, that.” I nod.
“What else?”
“Tell me what happened first.”
She shakes her head. “Have you been looking out for me without my knowledge?” She asks.