Page 47 of Texting Dr. Stalker

But…I’d also given myself a get-out-of-jail free card.

I could message her ifshemessagedme.

If she reached out then—in my twisted logic—she’d accepted me as XandZander, even if she didn’t know it.

Plus, I said I’d watch out for her, so I owed her a reply just in case she needed me.

Remember your other rule?

I sagged a little in my chair.

Seeing as I did better with rules, I’d drawn up a tight little contract for myself.

I could message her whenever she messaged me, but I couldn’t instigate. And I was allowed to keep this going for one month. After one month, if she was no better, it proved I sucked as a counsellor, and she needed to see a professional. That would also be the day I confessed it was me.

Sipping my coffee, I adjusted my glasses and replied.

Me:I’m one hundred and two but don’t worry, I can still beat up anyone who dares go near you uninvited.

Putting my phone down, I went to the communal fridge to grab the leftover pasta I’d made last night. It wasn’t often I cooked but Sailor had groceries delivered again yesterday, and a pottle of spaghetti sauce had fallen out as she’d collected the bags while I’d gathered my mail.

I’d had a hankering, so went to the store to get my own, even though I’d hated that she stiffened when she saw me hop into my car.

I’d waved and tried to remember how to talk to her as Zander instead of X, just in case she said anything. But she scurried away in a rush.

I didn’t get it.

Apart from a bit of teasing and name-calling growing up, I hadn’t done anything to justify the mix of shame and fear in her blue eyes whenever she saw me.

If I was honest, it hurt.

No, it killed.

Especially because she seemed to like X—a faceless stranger she’d never met—over the man who’d been her neighbour her entire life.

What is it about me that’s so offensive?

My phone vibrated across the table.

Lori:Somehow, I don’t think that’s the truth. What happened to the promise of honesty?

I groaned and wedged my elbows on the table. Running my hands through my hair, I hung my head. I’d changed her contact from LL to Lori the same night I’d stood by her fence and watched her until dawn.

Unfortunately, thanks to that chosen nickname, I couldn’t get the past out of my head. The memories of her as a scrawny girl with pigtails or that time she came to visit and ended up with chicken pox. She’d looked atrocious, all spotty and sick yet…I’d spent more time over at Melody’s in those two weeks than I ever had, not so subtly trying to help her get better.

When Sailor and her parents had left, Melody hugged me so hard. She’d thanked me for taking such great care of her granddaughter then giggled that she couldn’t wait for us to grow up and fulfil her and Mary’s dream of marrying their offspring to each other.

I’d scoffed, stolen a brownie, and bolted.

I’d forgotten all about it by the time Sailor visited three years later.

X:Fine, I’m twenty-nine. And that’s all the personal information you’re getting.

I went to press send but stopped.

Whoops, close call.

She was good at this. Too good. And I knew my weaknesses when it came to outsmarting wily people. The more information I gave her, even tiny tidbits like my age, the more she’d start painting a picture of who I was.

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