Page 5 of Treble

“I’ll bring you coffee tomorrow,” I insist. “It’s the least I can do. Or maybe dinner sometime?”

Victor is about to reply when we’re both startled by a hand clamping on his shoulder. “Hey, Vic, we need to hurry or we’ll be late.”

“Shit, Parker, you scared me,” Victor laughs. “I’ll be right there.”

“You too, Keri. Dana already stole one seat today, don’t let her take yours.”

I suck in a breath and tell Victor, “We’ll talk later,” then rush to my seat before the cunt gets any ideas.

5

VICTOR

Keri is nowhere to be found. Her car is in the parking lot, but unlike last night where I found her sitting in the driver’s seat, it’s empty. Nearly every car is gone but ours.

It’s been a long day, and I’m exhausted from staying up later than usual last night. At some point, I’ll need to put a tracker on her phone—it’ll certainly be more efficient. I get into my SUV and wait for fifteen minutes, but Keri might get suspicious if I wait too long. After the last three cars to leave, I give up and drive home.

Keeping my hands at ten and two on the steering wheel, I grip it tighter. Something doesn’t feel right. Only six minutes down the road, I make a U-turn, and when I make it back to the parking lot, her car is gone.

Fuck!

I pull out my phone to text her, hoping she’ll reply that she is driving home.

I was promised dinner. How is tonight?

Keri doesn’t reply and I’m becoming more anxious with each second that passes. After a few minutes, she finally replies.

Keri

I have plans tonight, maybe tomorrow?

If Paul was indeed sick from the latte this morning, he could be feeling better. I never should’ve left them alone this morning.

I’m supposed to help Henry tomorrow night, but maybe after.

Sure, that works.

Have a great night! Drive safe.

Drive safe? It’s an odd thing to say, considering I would’ve left a long time ago and already be home. I let her know I will and make my way back to my house for a second time. Once I’m home, I’m dragging my feet up the steps and I’m only inside for a moment when there’s a knock on the door. I quickly pivot and check the peephole to find Keri pacing and wringing her hands.

As I open the door, Keri jumps but quickly squares her shoulders. “Victor, we need to talk.”

I poke my head out and check the surroundings. It’s quiet. How did she get here? Why is she here? I don’t have a moment to process it when she shoves me into my house and closes the door behind us. I nearly trip and knock over the table in my entryway. None of this makes sense. She said she had plans, told me to have a great night.

“Have you or have you not been stalking me?” she growls, poking me in the chest.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about?” The lie slips out a little too easy. It isn’t as if she has proof.

“Yes, you do. You’ve been sneaking into my apartment for a while now, watching me sleep. I know you’re there and…” Keri steps back and sighs. I hate lying to her, but there’s no way I could admit the truth. “I know you’re there. That's why I drove all over town yesterday.” Fuck! I knew something was off. Ice cream. Pet store. Sex shop. It all makes sense. She continues, “Why didn’t you stay when Paul was at my house.”

“I’m not sure,” I admit. “There was a bit of a power struggle between Paul and me, and if I had stayed, I would’ve killed him with my bow through his larynx.”

Keri stifles a laugh. “I would’ve paid good money to see that.”

“Why are you here?” I shouldn’t ask, but I can’t help myself. I need to know. It’s bad enough she suspects everything, she now knows where I live. I’ve been careless.

“You’ve been following me for a while, so I figured I’d see what the fuss was about. After rehearsal, I hid in the women’s room until I knew you were gone, then followed you home.” My eyes blow wide. “I sort of like that you’re always around. Will you follow me home tonight?” The corner of her lip tilts up and it takes everything in me to not reach for her.

---