Page 94 of Two Guys, a Girl, and a Tripod

“Fair. I’m still taking you home.”

We take my car. Brody offered to order an Uber to get home when he’s satisfied that I’m safe. No amount of arguing was going to stop him from coming with me.

Natalie greets us on the driveway, arms folded around herself, and I run to hug her.

“The police already left,” she says into my hair, holding onto me tighter than she ever has. “They said there’s not much they can do without evidence.”

“Fuck, Nat, I’m so sorry,” I whisper, though I suspected that would be the case.

Tears prick the backs of my eyes and threaten to slide down my cheeks. I can’t believe my past has put her in danger. Of course Caleb would find me. How could I be so naiveas to think he wouldn’t?

“Hey, I’m Brody.” His voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

I step back and let Natalie get a good look at the man I definitely didn’t plan on bringing over. She smiles weakly and steps forward to hold out a hand. Natalie takes it, shaking briefly.

“Natalie.”

“Lovely to meet you.”

“Right back at you.” She looks at me. “Let’s go inside.”

Natalie sits on the sectional, a couple of cushions away from Brody, but I set to work making her favorite calming tea, filling the kettle, and setting it over the lit burner.

“Not to intrude,” says Brody slowly, “but you said your doorbell cam isn’t working?”

“It’s been on the fritz,” Natalie says with a nod.

I stay in the kitchen, waiting to hear the kettle whistle. After I grab a mug and the tea bag, I lean against the kitchen counter, in front of the sink, so I can see the two of them.

“Does it just work some of the time?” Brody continues.

Natalie raises an eyebrow at me.

“He’s a tech nerd,” I say with a shrug.

“To put it simply,” Brody chuckles.

“Yeah, we’ve only noticed a couple times where it cuts out,” Natalie says, facing him again. “Do you think it’s just the connection or something?”

“Could be,” he says slowly, rubbing his chin. “I can take a look if you’re both ok with it. I don’t want to intrude.”

“I think that’s a good idea.” It’s Natalie who responds. I’m a little surprised that she’s so comfortable with this, given her evening. Trusting a total stranger with our security after getting our front door kicked in doesn’t feel like a Natalie move.

“If one of you can pull up the account on a laptop, I’ll head downstairs to take a look at the camera itself first.”

When Brody is gone, Natalie turns to me.

“Ok, I know I’ve had a shit night, but that man looks better than his picture.”

I snort. The kettle begins to whistle, so I turn off the burner and pour the hot water into her mug, over the teabag. I add a squirt of honey and then walk the mug over to her.

“You smell like sex,” she says before taking the tea. “Slut.”

“You caught me,” I giggle.

“Iwillbe wanting details.”

“How can you think about that at a time like this?” I shake my head with a smile.

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