Page 8 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
Before I can talk myself out of it, I decide to make the call to Tanya. She's been asking me to accept her help for the last few weeks. Asking is a light choice of word, andinsistingis more accurate. Insistent and protective are pretty accurate descriptors for Tanya. She is one of my closest friends, and she isfiercelyloyal and protective.
“Hey.”
“Hey, hey,” Tanya replies cheerily, pausing a TV in the background. My composure softens at the sound of her voice.
Tanya isobsessedwith reality TV. To the point that it is unhealthy, she’d grown up watching Big Brother, moved on to the Kardashians, and now is consumed by every season of Love Island UK.
“Is that Everly? How's the event?” a higher-pitched, sweeter voice calls out.
Daisy is asking with no hint of envy. She is a small-time influencer but with a loyal and devoted following. Her content revolved around activism and political discourse rather than the fitness and, more recently, lifestyle content that I showcase. This sort of highly superficial influencer event wasnother thing, and she knew it. She sometimes attended events like this as my plus one, but this brand wanted only people in the fitness industry so wouldn’t let me bring her, much to my disappointment. Having Daisy with me acted as a buffer between the other people and me. She was like a ball of bright sunshine, able to make me feel warm and cozy by just being by my side.
“Am I on speaker?” I ask Tanya. She pushes a few buttons. I move the phone from my ear to avoid the loud noises. “Yep, you are now.”
“Yeah, the event is good,” I stall, casting my gaze behind me into the main room, watching the swarm of well-groomed people taking selfies in front of the flower walls and then editing them on their phones before posting them online. “I miss you though, Dais,” I admit openly.
“Aww, do you really?” she replies earnestly. I can picture her pouting and putting her arm on Tanya’s shoulder for comfort.
“Yeah, I do.” I take a deep breath and move on to what I really want to talk to them about. “Look, the event isn’t really why I’m calling.” I pause, considering my next words for a moment before blurting out, “Tanya…I think you are right.”
“Yes, of course, I am,” she scoffs. “But remind me…about what in particular?”
I rake a hand through my hair. “Ithink…”I hesitate.Am I really about to ask for this?I sigh again, feeling the familiar knot of anxiety in my stomach.I have to. “I think I should get some protection. Whatever it was that you suggested about the creepy stalker reaching out.”
After some shuffling Tanya’s tone turns serious. “What have they done? Are you okay? Have they made physical contact?”
“No, no. Nothing like that. Nothing more than what I told you, just these weird messages.” My voice trembles slightly and goes up an octave “But their last message wasreallyweird. It's just… It's probably nothing, and I’m probably being a paranoid Polly.” I chuckle weakly, the brittle sound trailing off into uncomfortable throat clearing.
Damn it. I’m over-justifying myself again.
“Honestly, it’s really freaked me out, and I think you were right. It can't hurt to have someone around.” I pace up and down the decking. “Just until the creepiness goes away.”
“First of all, you’re not a paranoid Polly,” Tanya comments as Daisy makes a squeak in confirmation. “And, secondly,” Tanya’s continues gravely, “you're making the right call, Ev. I'll contact my dad right away and see if we can get the best bodyguard sent to your house tonight.” Tanya doesn’t waste a second before going into action mode.
Panic rises in my throat. “Wait, tonight?”
I’m not sure I’m ready for a bodyguard. She’d originally suggested “personal security” when I’d mentioned the messages a few weeks ago, which felt less intense.I mean, what if they are…weird? What if we’re not compatible?
“Yes,” Tanya answered softly, “the sooner the better. These people are unpredictable. They could be waiting to make some sort of move. Look, my mom…” Her voice catches. “It doesn’t matter, but if she would’ve got a bodyguard sooner, it would have been better.”
“I mean, we don’t know that it’s a stalker,” I say, “and you suggested personal security, not a bodyguard. I thought you meant, like, somebody to call if I needed help or something.”
“Personal security is just another word for bodyguard. Everly, you’re mybestfriend, and I don’t like the thought of you sleeping tonight with this guy freaking you out. You can either come here or the bodyguard will arrive at your place tonight. You’ll be fine at the event. There’s a big enough crowd.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary. Tomorrow morning would—” I begin, but she interrupts.
“I won't hear any resistance. They will be with you tonight. I gotta go sort this with my dad. Chat with you tomorrow.” She hangs up without saying bye. The bluntness is something she’s picked up from her dad. I love Tanya, but when she puts her foot down,she can be scary. Her father owns Alliance Safety Partners, or ASP, the largest personal security company in the US. All the big names, from secret billionaires to huge pop stars, use them. They really are the best of the best.I suppose I’ll be in safe hands.
The remainder of the evening,I float around making small talk where I need to, but I’m hyper-aware that I am barely present. I decide to leave event early, too drained to play nice any longer.
Approaching my home, deep in thought, I'm caught completely off guard by a deep, male voice from behind me.
“Hello, Everly Ford? I’m Co?—”
Acting on pure instinct, I whip around and smash my fist straight into my ambusher's face. A sickening crunch follows, and he stumbles back with a string of muffled curses, hand cradling his nose.
Still amped on adrenaline, I bounce on the balls of my feet ready to strike again…before freezing.Who do I think I am?
The hulking figure straightens up, removing the hand clutching his nose to reveal a river of scarlet. He holds his hands up in innocence. My heart is still racing while I take a moment to examine him.
