Page 249 of Love Me Stalk Me
His fingers flex against my shoulder, and I watch as one single tear slips down his cheek. I reach up, brush it away with my thumb, my heart squeezing at the sight of him—this strong, powerful man who's showing me something he doesn't show anyone else. His skin is warm beneath my touch, the tear cool against my thumb.
He nods. Swallows. "I didn't think it was right," he murmurs. "To keep something like that from you. When I took you for the first time, I wanted it to be real. Pure. Not tainted by a lie."
A warmth spreads through my chest, radiating outward to my fingertips, and I smile.
"Well," I say softly, watching as his breath stutters. "Good thing that's out of the way now."
Evan being hauled out in handcuffs interrupts us.
Cal stiffens, watching Evan dragged toward a police car, blood dripping from his swollen face, eyes full of rage—and defeat. Evan's once-pristine button-down shirt is torn and stained, his designer shoes scuffing against the pavement as the officersguide him forward.
Relief washes over me.
He's gone.
Really gone.
I feel it ease through me—my shoulders drop, my jaw unclenches, and for the first time in what feels like years, I can actually breathe. My body doesn’t feel braced for impact. I glance up at Cal. He's watching me carefully, like he's trying to gauge my reaction, like he's ready to catch me if I start falling apart. The concern in his eyes makes my heart swell.
But I don't feel like falling apart. I feel like fighting. Because Evan doesn't get to control this narrative or own this part of my life. I'm not going to let him walk away believing he's defeated me.
"I'm going to call the district attorney in the morning," I say aloud, my voice stronger than it's been all night. "I'm going to testify."
Cal wraps an arm around my shoulders and his fingers squeeze gently. His touch feels reassuring, like he's telling me without words that he's proud of me.
"Hey!"
Amanda's voice cuts through the night air. She's approaching with a police officer behind her. A very attractive police officer who has an easy smile and a broad-shouldered frame straight from a men-in-uniform calendar. His badge gleams under the emergency lights, his uniform pressed and neat despite the late hour.
"This is Chad the Cop," Amanda announces, gesturing dramatically.
I barely hold back the snort pressing against my throat. Above me, I see Cal raise a solitary eyebrow, his lips twitching slightly.
Amanda throws me a look that says, "Don't."
I clear my throat and school my expression, feeling the muscles in my face work to remain neutral. "Chad the Cop," I repeat, extending my hand.
Chad the Cop nods, shaking my hand firmly. "Ma'am."
Amanda beams, flipping her glossy hair over her shoulder. "Chad is driving me home. It's been a very trying day." She adjusts her designer handbag over her shoulder.
Cal mutters something unintelligible under his breath, his chest rumbling against my side.
Amanda flips her hair over her shoulder and climbs into Chad the Cop's police car with practiced grace, speeding off into the night like she just cracked the case herself, the taillights disappearing around the corner.
Cal and I stare after her before we burst out laughing. The sound bubbles up from deep in my chest, unexpected but welcome. Because of course Amanda would. I'm still smiling, the muscles in my cheeks aching pleasantly, when Cal suddenly lifts me off my feet in onefluid motion.
"What the—?!" The blanket falls from my shoulders, landing in a heap on the ground.
He doesn't break stride as he carries me toward my car effortlessly, one arm supporting my back, the other beneath my knees. "We're going home," he murmurs firmly.
My heart flutters at the word, a burst of warmth spreading through my chest despite the cool night air against my skin.
Home.
I melt into his arms, pressing my face into his neck, breathing him in. His pulse beats steadily against my lips.
Yeah.
