Page 16 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
“Alright, Mr. Silver.” She mock salutes. “Give me five minutes to freshen up.”
She wanders off, and I settle into the couch, mentally going over the protocols we’re about to discuss.
Everly’s red ponytail bounces as she enters her lounge, now smelling like vanilla and making sweatpants look like a fashion statement. I clear my throat, checking my watch.
“It’s been fourteen minutes,” I state.
She looks at me for a long moment before plonking herself on the sofa next to me.
“So it has.”
We stare at each other, and my head tilts. I examine the freckles lightly painting her face. Her skin isn’t tanned but isn’t as pale as you’d expect given her bright hair color. I clap a hand to my thigh, making her flinch a little.
“OK, myself or a trusted colleague will be here nearly all the time for the foreseeable future. Any major public outings should be pre-approved based on recent threats.”
Everly frowns. “That's...quite the lifestyle change. I’m going out later, but it’s nothing major. But I do appreciate you protecting me, even if it means some temporary…switches.” Her lips quirk wryly. “Sunday funday brunch just becamehouseboundSunday funday. Ay, Cole?”She pats my arm and laughs freely at her own joke. I cock my head, observing her before looking to the spot she patted me, desperately ignoring the jolt in my pulse when she says my name.
“Yes…I guess so.”
I detail my lengthy week hours and backup weekend shift options. Everly listens intently, feet tucked under her on the cushy sofa while I sit straight-backed reviewing plans.
“Now,” I continue gravely once we've aligned around scheduling, “we need to discuss the messages a little more so I can pass on the information to our investigative team. Is that alright?”
Everly tenses almost imperceptibly.
I lean forward, steepling my fingers thoughtfully. “I need you to walk me through everything you know about the disturbing messages themselves. Any details may make useful patterns to analyze.”
Everly sighs. “It started about three or four weeks ago. At first it was just anonymous accounts leaving overly-familiar comments about my photos and videos. I get a lot of hate comments anyway,” she dismisses with an airy wave, “but one guy kept signing ‘-Yours eternally, EvBear,’ and I started to notice it. I realized that the account names would change, but there was always that same sign-off at the end.At first it was creepy but seemed harmless.” Her face darkens as she shivers a little. “But the most recent message one referenced seeing me in clothesI swearI hadn’t posted online. It made me think, whoever it is, they’re close by, and it’s also why I got you.” I nod.
“And you reported this escalation to the authorities?” I take a couple of notes on my phone.
“Yes, but they said without direct threats or physical confrontation there isn’t much they can pursue yet,” Everly replies, sighing. “When I spoke to my friend Tanya about the whole EvBear thing, sheinsistedI hire you. I resisted at first, but when Mr. Park, Tanya’s dad, learned about the messages, he offered your team’s services with a friends and family discount. I couldn’t turn it down once things started feeling...personal.”
I process the timeline, examining Everly’s crossed arms and evading gaze. “You speak very warmly of both Tanya and Mr. Park,” I comment.
Everly manages a small smile. “They’re good people, the best really. But hopefully we can get to the bottom of this quickly and all go back to our lives.” She quickly gathers herself and smiles wide at me, but it doesn’t quite meet her eyes.
“I mean, I’m sure you want to get back to your life too.”
“This is my life,” I reply.
“Oh… Uh, of course.” I watch her lips as she wets them with her pink tongue. I swallowhardand look away.
I meet her eyes with steadfast assurance. “But I understand what you mean.” She relaxes. “In the meantime, carry on without fear. I'm here now to make surenophysical confrontation materializes. Even if they try anything, they won’t get close with me around.” Nothing pisses me off more than somebody being bullied. As much as I don’t understand Everly’s position or the pressures of online fame, I do understand that. She’s a young woman, and from what I’ve seen her content is harmless fun. Perhaps a little narcissistic, but nothing deserving of any hateful or creepy messages.
I clear my throat gruffly. “Any, uh, upset ex-boyfriends? Broken-hearted men left behind?”
She raises an eyebrow at me.
“Are you asking if I am single, Mr. Silver?”
“No, I, uh, it’s procedure.” She smirks and starts giggling, the sound resonating through me.Oh, she’s messing with me.
She shakes her head, calming her laughter and saving me the embarrassment of having to comment. “My relationships ended fine. No lingering drama or crazy exes.”
She hesitates for a moment, leaning forward.
“Well, actually, things didn’t end too great with Ryan Fox.” My mind whirrs to what I know about that name, golfing pro, professional athlete, loves the media attention.
