Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 139

Briar

The alarm went off, and Lana groaned. I smacked a pillow into her gut as she complained.

“Up and at 'em,” I said, forcing myself to slide from the bed. My head was pounding. I needed water and Advil. I threw some leggings and a T-shirt from my drawer at her and proceeded to change. My clothes would be a little big on her, but more comfortable then the jeans she came in. When I turned around, pulling my long sleeve tee over my head I found her gawking.

“You’re no better than a man,” I teased and wandered off into the kitchen. I grabbed two waters from the fridge and dug around in the medicine cabinet for some Advil. Lana stumbled in and went straight to the fridge looking for sustenance, no doubt. At this rate I might as well start the coffee. So, I set up the pot and set it to brew.

Lana came out laden with leftovers that she promptly plated and threw in the microwave. She leaned against the counter and pulled her phone out of her leggings pocket. Her eyes were darting back and forth across whatever she was doing there. She didn’t look at me when she spoke.

“Hey, how about we go down the mountain to town on Thursday? I um have some shopping to do,” she started typing away.

“Sure,” I said, I really had nothing better to do.

“We can skip the run and go early. There is this killer coffee spot I think you’d like.”

“I’ll just make it up when I get back,” I said, shrugging.

“Great! Anything else you want to do while we are there?”

I thought for a moment, and the tattoo shop came to mind.

“Maybe the tattoo place? I can see if the artist I went to last has an opening. I’m not sure what else is there.” I said.

“What do you want a tattoo of?” 

“Not sure yet.” I’d give it some thought over the next few days

We ate and then took a run at a leisurely jog, since our stomachs were full. When Lana left, I called Misty. 

“Hey, Ads, I’m glad you called. I have an update,”

I sighed, I was so over this bullshit with Creedon. I really just wanted to talk with her, not that I could tell her everything but I could dance around the extraness that had just become my life. Ask for advice about what to do with Carter was what I wanted, she was too busy guarding my life while my heart was drowning. I whipped a tear away, and caught myself when I sniffed.

“Adielaide?” Misty said  with a concerned voice.

“What's going on?” I asked, not able to hide the strain of my throat nor the wobble of my voice.

“That can wait, what’s wrong?”

I found myself sinking into the couch as Misty flipped to video screen. Cricket was at school and I didn’t see Beck around.

“Share your damn screen before I catch a flight,” she threatened. She’d do it too.

I dried my eyes with the sleeve of Carter’s hoodie and tried to clear my throat before I allowed video on my phone. I glanced away from the screen knowing she could mark all the broken bits of me.

“Shit what's going on?”

“I don’t know what to do,” I whined, unable to keep the emotions at bay.

“About what Ads? Talk to me,” she coaxed.

“Carter has a past for sure but it’s not what you think, What his boss told me was meant to put a rift between us. He forced him to do everything. He paid him for watching me and Carter ripped up the check. I’m so scared to forgive him, but I don’t know if I can survive an outcome without him.”

“Sounds like you're in love,” Misty said dreamily.

I snorted. Wasn’t that the truth.

“The thing is I don’t know what to do. My grandmother gave me some answers but there are now even more questions. I need answers to know whatever Jake wanted me to find out. I’m terrified to open that letter he left me, I can’t face it without him.”

“You went and spoke to him, even ate breakfast with him, how did that go?”

I sighed, she did have eyes …almost everywhere I wondered what else she had seen. I closed my eyes pushing that thought away, it didn’t matter right now.

“He explained a lot of things,” was all I would admit.

“Was he telling the truth?” I didn’t know how to explain that he showed me more than enough evidence that he wouldn’t if he wasn’t being truthful.

“I can’t explain it to you, but I know without a doubt he was,” I said, choosing my words carefully.

“Then don’t think too hard on it Ads, listen to your gut,” Misty advised.

From her that was saying a lot. When I had met her, she was deep into a toxic relationship. I’ll never forget the anger that boiled over when I saw the bruises on her skin. She had just found out she was pregnant with Cricket, and I didn’t know where the piece of shit was at the time, but I found him and gave him a taste of his own medicine. He never bothered her after that.

“Okay,” I relented.”What's the good, the bad, and the ugly?”  I asked, trying to change the subject.

“Whoever he is talking to, the interactions have become more frequent; we can’t deter him for much longer. He’s becoming more agitated, and I’ll send you something when we get off. The truth of the matter is, He’s coming for you soon, you need to get out of dodge or be ready to face him. If he leaves, we are on our way to you, Beck insists.”

I let out a long sigh, “You shouldn’t be tangled up in my shit. Stay home,” I insisted.

“I never told you, but I know what you did for me. There is no way in hell I’m not going to be there to stand by your side through this shitstorm.”

“Seriously, Misty, I know you feel obligated, but don’t. This place isn’t welcoming to new people; there are reasons they tolerate me here, but it's too dangerous for you. Stay home with Cricket. If it makes you feel better, send Beck. Under no circumstances do I want you to put your life in danger over me. You are a mother, you have a life and responsibilities. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.” My tone was stern and serious as I pleaded with her.

“You will have to trust me to make that call Ads, I know more than you think I do about what is going on in that town. Beck isn’t likely to let us stay unguarded after everything we have done to harass Creedon, anyway.” 

The way she said that caught my attention. “You and Beck?”

“Um, let's not get into the complicated. This call is about you. Trust me when I say, I’m the safest I am ever going to be with Beck around. Give yourself a few days to process whatever Carter revealed to you, but at the end of it, the heart knows what the heart wants, and it sounds like he wants that too. You deserve happiness Ads. I’ve seen the feeds from the cameras; he’s not faking it. To be honest, you can’t fake the way he looks at you. I’ve tried to make him the bad guy out of protectiveness, but I can’t, not after what I’ve observed over the last few months. Don’t miss your opportunity, Ads. At some point, you need to take the leap. Or you will never know what could have been.”