Page 22 of A Daddy for Maddy

Maddy, though. He was the real deal. Not playing. Not pretending. He seemed eager for a second date.

As I was getting ready for bed, the pre-dawn light turned the sky a dark violet. I closed the blinds and set my phone on the nightstand. It chimed.

I knew it was my stalker, but I had to be sure. I scrolled to my texts and yep, there he was. Insulting and rude and intrusive. Again. I got slightly paranoid that the text came right after I’d closed my blinds. But I let that thought go. This person was a nuisance, but they hadn’t actually threatened violence.

It was nice that Trent was taking the text stalking seriously, though. Using professional investigators had to cost a lot.

As I lay back in the darkness, I saw Maddy’s face in my mind. Bright. Young. Glowing. A knot formed in my stomach.

Was I being fair to the kid? With my job and the stalker, was it even safe to bring him into my life?

My muscles bunched. My chest rose with a deep breath. Everything inside me surged with a protective instinct. With me he would be safe. It wasn’t arrogance. I was quite able to take care of myself in dire situations. I had no fear for myself in that capacity.

But Maddy. He was small, young. Sweet.

He hadn’t balked when I told him about my stalker, which was a credit to his own strength. Another reason I was drawn to him. He was a brave boy.

I took deep, even breaths to calm myself from an abnormally busy night. Exhaustion took over and I was quickly asleep.

I woke around noon. Even my thick blinds didn’t keep the sunlight out. Not completely. The room was bathed in a warm, golden glow. I basked in the just waking feeling, then remembered. I had a sweet boy to text!

I sat up and picked up my phone. A text sat waiting for me.

Unknown: New day, but you’re the same asshole, aren’t you. Did you fuck him yet?

My heart rate immediately sped up. Him? Who? Was he referring to my actions last night? To Maddy? My stalker had never included someone else in his texts. He only taunted me.

Well, fuck.

Maddy said he worked noon to six. He’d be working right now. He was probably fine. Safe. I wanted to text him just to be sure. But I couldn’t let him know I was even a tiny bit nervous.

Colin: I enjoyed last night and would love to do that again. My shift is six to two a.m. Our work hours leave no time in between. Can I see you late again?

I stared at my phone as if Maddy might jump through it at any time. There was no response. But of course, he was working. He couldn’t just drop everything to text me back.

I took my phone with me into the bathroom and kept opening the shower door every ten seconds to check it. It wasn’t like me to be paranoid. Not like this. My stalker was my stalker. Whoever he was, he was mad at me. He didn’t even know Maddy’s name or who he was.

But then darker thoughts came. I’d taken Maddy home. Had he followed me? Did he now know where Maddy lived?

I couldn’t think like that. I wouldn’t allow the stalker to get into my thoughts. Text stalkers were cowards. That was why they used texts to harass others. They didn’t have the guts to face them.

I really hoped Trent’s investigators got an answer soon.

I fixed myself eggs and toast and sat eating. And staring. At my phone. I turned on the TV for a distraction. The news was on, droning about dark things.

I began to channel surf when my phone went off. I checked the texts. Stalker or Maddy? I smiled as I read.

Maddy: After your shift would be great. If I came to the club again, would it be bad? I would go to the littles room and color and not interfere with your shift.

Well, now. The little one was eager and smart. I loved the idea of him being where I could know where he was at all times. Did he understand that already? That I was somewhat controlling? I gave him credit for figuring it out. If Maddy didn’t like it, I would encourage him to tell me. We could talk tonight over another very late dinner.

Colin: It would be my pleasure to have you come to the club any time. I will have a pass waiting for you. I look forward to seeing you again.

It all sounded a bit formal, but we were still in that stage. Feeling each other out.

Maddy: Can I head over there when I get off work? Or would that be too early?

Colin: I’ll be there at six. Any time you’d like, not-a-baby. Bring your stuffie. Unicorns get in free.

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