Page 64 of Yolo

“The next step in all of this is a restraining order,” I said. “That would label you as a stalker, though. Are you ready for that? Because people that run background checks can see you have a restraining order against you.”

“I already have a job, and they won’t require a background check because it’s family. Therefore, I’m not sure that your threat is valid,” he drawled.

This pompous jerk.

“Anyway…I thought y’all broke up?” Joseph asked, a gleam in his eyes.

This bitch…

“No,” I said simply. “We didn’t.”

“Then why haven’t you been around?” he asked.

My eyes narrowed. “I have…but that brings a bigger question. Why are you stalking her enough to know that I ‘haven’t been around?’”

Joseph shrugged as if he couldn’t care less that he’d just revealed that he was around enough to know her habits.

“I mean, if you’re this nonchalant about things, we could just go and get a restraining order because you can’t leave her alone. I’m sure that a judge will have no problem issuing that to a woman that was blinded by the man that’s stalking her,” I offered.

“I didn’t blind her. That rock did,” he countered.

“You’re splitting hairs,” I explained. “You were fully able to stop your hike and bring her back down the mountain to a doctor. Because you didn’t, she suffered a significant brain bleed that impaired her optic nerves. Had you gotten her to the emergency room instead of leaving her there to finish your hike, she would’ve been able to see today.”

“That’s not what happened.” He rolled his eyes.

“That’s exactly what happened because I was the man that carried her down that mountain after she’d been sitting there, terrified and hurting, for two hours.” I took a threatening step forward. “I saw her that day. I picked her up in my arms and held her close. I soothed her worries. I held her hand when she was scared that she’d never be able to see again. So yes, I know exactly what happened. And mostly, what I know is you’re a poor excuse for a man. You don’t deserve to be on the same planet as her, let alone breathing her air or wanting a second chance. Now, for once, think about someone other than yourself, and leave her the hell alone. She’s been through way too much already.”

“I think you’re exaggerating a little bit. And the rock that hit her was tiny. How was I supposed to know it was that bad?” he asked.

I immediately wanted to throat punch him.

The thing was, my eyes had landed on the small boulder that hit her. It’d been on the side of the trail about to tumble down the mountain to nail another unsuspecting victim.

It was about the size of my hand, and I knew that because my brother had picked it up and moved it farther into the path so it wouldn’t fall a second time.

My brother had picked it up with one hand, sure, but it’d taken everything he had to hold on to it.

“I think it’s time to leave,” I heard said.

I turned to find Bindi there with Rooster, Rooster looking happy as always, and Bindi’s face expressionless.

“Oh, hey, Lea.” Joseph pulled out the smarmiest smile I’d ever seen.

“I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to hear you. I don’t want to even hear about you,” she replied simply.

“You already can’t see me…” Joseph offered.

This fucking asshole.

I took a threatening step forward, ready to fuck him up despite the fact that I was in my DPD uniform, but Bindi somehow found my hand and held it. As if she knew I was about to lose my shit.

“Have a good day, Joseph,” she said. “When I have time, I’ll be filing a restraining order.” She paused. “Or maybe I’ll just take this entire thing to the attorney’s office, and we can file a real lawsuit this time.”

“You said you wouldn’t do that,” he said. “We already paid you.”

“Well, funny how I can’t remember any verbal agreements.” She shrugged. “And also, I would like to point out that life is a whole lot harder than I expected. It’s been months and months of hell for me, Joseph.”

Joseph did look scared then.

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