Page 14 of Nanny for the Bodyguard
An unknown number isn’t heard of, but…my heart rate spikes, but still, I’m swiping the icon to answer. I have to know if it’s what I think it is.
There’s no reply when I say hello, just the sound of static and heavy breathing. It’s exactly what I thought it’d be, and my heart is pounding against my ribs now.
Shit. No, no, no. Not again. Come on.
Panic is flaring in my veins, making my head light and my fingers twitchy. My chest tightens, and my pulse is so loud in my ears that I worry my eardrums will rupture.
It’s always the same. An empty line where someone just breathes. It’s never been more, but it’s never let up. Whoever this scam caller is, they’ve been tormenting me for so long.
Since the incident.
I’m shaking as I hit the red button to hang up, my phone clattering out of my grip and onto the island. I can barely hold it as I maneuver the thing back onto the charger.
Always that breathing. Just that terrible breathing.
“Hazel?” Olivia’s voice makes me jump as she leans over the back of the couch, eyeing me. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I shake myself out of it, forcing the anxiety down, where I can bottle it up and pretend I’m not petrified. “Dumb prank call. Let’s watch this movie. It’s finally at the good part.”
I head over to my chair, grab my wine and a handful of popcorn, and focus on the TV. I’m sure Olivia can tell something’s up, but she doesn’t push it.
As the movie carries on, I wonder when these calls are going to stop, when I’m going to be free. But it’s been so long, and I have to believe that ifhe’sdoing it…
This is far from over.
FIVE
Easton
“Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” starts playing on the electronic jukebox in the bar. I sigh, hanging my head with a laugh that’s anything but humorous.
Jesus. Are you fucking kidding me?
The tension in my shoulders, which had just relaxed a hair now that the alcohol is working its magic, ratchets up again, and I grip my glass tightly enough that my knuckles go white.
Hazel has been on my mind day in and day out. I can’t stop thinking about the fact that she’s actuallyworkingfor me.
As much as a babysitter can be considered an employee.
And now the damn music is reminding me of her, our song blasting through the bar and getting couples to stand up and waltz around drunkenly.
All I wanted to do was get a drink to clear my head, and I couldn’t even have that.
My mind drifts as the song plays, and I remember theothertime I heard it in this very bar.
“Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I completely just…wow.”
The woman smiles at me, her hand going to the back of her head as the embarrassment rings through her expression.
“Can I buy you another drink? Seeing as I just got you to spill yours all over the floor?”
I can’t help but return her grin. I know this is the last thing I need right now. A girl? A pretty girl asking to buy me a drink?
Yeah, I should politely decline since I’ll be going back into active duty in no time.
But I don’t.
“Sure. It’s Easton.” I reach out to shake her hand.
