Page 77 of No One But Us

“You missed a call,” he says, handing me my phone when I walk back out. “Why is Edward Ferris still botheringyou?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “I stopped listening to the voicemails. I was pretty clear the last time we spoke. There’s nothing he can say now that I want tohear.”

“Did you save the voicemails?” heasks.

“I have the last several, just because I haven’t deleted them,” I say. “Honestly, just seeing his name on my phone makes me feel sick. I guess you’re going to tell me it’s immature to avoidit.”

“No,” he says, pulling me to sit beside him. “But it pisses me off that he’s doing this to you. And I think you should be monitoring what he’ssaying.”

“You can listen if you want,” I tell him. “But delete them when you’re done. I don’t want to hear them. And I don’t want toknow.”

He nods and gets dressed, carrying my phoneoutside.

If it’s a fling, why is he this bothered by Edward?I go into the kitchen, watching him on the deck as he listens. It was stupid of me to think he’d want more. Why would he? He was stuck with Allison all year, and now he’s about to get a real job. Why would he want to saddle himself with some long-distance girlfriend who’s only 19? I’ve done exactly what he warned me not to. I’ve allowed this to become something real in my head, something that could be permanent, and I’m blaming him for the fact that it’snot.

He walks back inside. His body is rigid, his hand holding the phone in such a tight grip I’m surprised it doesn’tsnap.

“You need to call the police, Elle,” he says, his voice oddlyquiet.

“The police?” I gasp. “That can’t benec—”

“It is,” he cuts me off. “It is necessary. He’s out of his fucking mind. He makes it sound like you’re a couple. He even suggested coming downhere.”

It’s sad that my first thought isn’t about my own safety. It’s about whether James now thinks I actuallydidmess around with Edward. I wanted to believe he and Ginny would have faith in me, would know I’m different than my mother...but Ginny has her doubts, so why wouldn’t he? And God, if two people who’ve known me since I was small think I’m capable of it, is there anyone alive whowon’t?

“I don’t know what he said, but he’s never laid a finger onme.”

“I know. But the shit he said…” James flinches. “Just let the police handleit.”

“It’ll be all over the news if I go to the police. Someone alwaystalks.”

“It’s time for you to step up, Elle.” He is frustrated now, on the verge of shouting. “You need a restraining order, at least. Listen to themessages.”

I make no move to take the phone back from him, so he puts it on speaker. Edward’s voice flows out. “Eleanor,” he says. “You ungrateful bitch. I can’t believe you’re treating me like this after everything I’ve tried to do for you. You’d better call me, or I’m going to make you sorry you ever heard myname.”

I’m already sorry I ever heard hisname.

“You’re going to think I’m naive,” I say. “But I don’t think he was physically threatening me. He probably just meant career-wise.”

“You didn’t hear the rest of the messages,” he says. “He’s saying some really messed up stuff, Elle. I don’t know whether he’d hurt you or not, but I’m not going to risk findingout.”

* * *

An hour later I’m facing a weary police officer who would clearly rather be doing anything but conducting this interview with me. He keeps casting longing glances at the copy ofSports Illustratedon the corner of hisdesk.

James does most of the talking, which is for the best since I’m unable to draw up a lot of outrage over the wholething.

“This is a clear stalking violation,” James says. “And since he’s suggested an intent to come find her here, her most immediate need is a restraining order—one that’s enforceable in New York since she’ll be back there at the end ofAugust.”

“So,” the police officer says. “Are you her lawyer? Herboyfriend?”

My breath stills while I wait for him to answer. It’s pathetic, as usual, that with everything going on, what I care about most is how he chooses to qualify ourrelationship.

“Friend,” he says, and the breath whooshes out ofme.

Wrong answer,asshole.

“Okay,” the officer says doubtfully. “Well, we’d need to hear these messages in order to determine if there’s something topursue.”

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