Grabbing a few cold boiled shrimp and some cocktail sauce, Brooklyn rounded out her feast with some cut-up apples and caramel dip. She carried everything carefully over to the table before grabbing one of the sippy cups Caden had already filled for her in the refrigerator. She took a small testing sip andgrinned. Chocolate milk. Finding the treat on her first try was amazing.
She’d just sat down to eat when her phone buzzed. Giana’s name flashed on the screen. “Hi!” Brooklyn said after accepting the call.
“Hi! Whatcha doing?”
“I’m eating lunch. How about you?”
“I finished about fifteen minutes ago. Want me to call you back later?” Giana asked.
“As long as you don’t mind if I’m chewing, I’d love to have company.”
“I hoped you might like even more company.”
“You’re coming over to play?” Brooklyn asked as she wiggled with excitement.
“If you’re interested, I’ll come over to pick you up. I wanted to go get coffee, but Daddy doesn’t like me to go to the coffee shop alone.” She lowered her voice to match Koa’s growly tone and said, “Those guys are just hanging out there to pick up women.”
“That’s hilarious. You sound like him,” Brooklyn said and giggled.
“I have a two-for-one coupon, Brooklyn, so I can treat you to some java. Take pity on me. I have a bunch of reports to work on, and I need the caffeine.”
“I don’t know, Giana. I don’t think I should go anywhere. Brent could be out there somewhere. It would be my luck to run into him at the coffee shop.” Brooklyn wrung her hands, automatically scared by the thought of being out in public.
“How long has it been since you saw him? Surely, he’s moved on.”
Giana’s words made her stop and think for a minute. But after hiding for so long, she couldn’t imagine that he’d suddenly decide to stop pursuing her. Brooklyn shook her head toremind herself that she never took risks, and still he found her repeatedly. “Brent has followed me for a couple of years now, Giana. I don’t think he’ll give up now.”
“That jerk saw Caden in action. He had to notice that your car was packed. Won’t he think you left town while he was in jail?” Giana asked.
When Brooklyn stayed quiet, Giana quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, Brooklyn. I’m pressuring you to do something you don’t want to do. My coffee addiction is not that important. I hate to see a jerk win and for you to lose the fun in your life. Tom scared me, just like Brent frightens you. You should have Caden teach you some self-defense moves. Then you could take your power back.”
That last statement repeated in Brooklyn’s mind.Take your power back.Giana was right. For too long Brent had threatened and harassed her. Who gave up everything in their life to follow someone out of spite? Maybe it was possible to live without fear. Swallowing hard, she decided.
“Is there a coffee shop far from our old apartment complex?” Brooklyn asked. “It was on the east side of town.”
“Of course. There’s one about five blocks from Caden’s house. A small independent shop. I like those better than the big chains. Are you thinking we could zip in and out?” Giana asked with a hopeful tone.
“Yes, but Caden and Zale say no driving until next week.”
“I’ll come get you. That’s better anyway. We’ll be together.”
Brooklyn exhaled with relief. She’d feel better with Giana. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“I’ll be at your door in ten minutes.”
Brooklyn ran into the bedroom and raided Caden’s closet. Grabbing an oversized sweatshirt and a hat, Brooklyn tried to camouflage herself as much as possible. Daring was one thing,reckless was another. She’d secured her hair in a ponytail and hid it under the baseball cap after pulling on the bulky top.
She looked at her phone for a few seconds as she debated whether to tell her daddy. He’d worry, and she’d distracted him enough. Her head ached slightly as her thoughts whirled around in her brain. Brooklyn took several deep breaths to relax, and the pain decreased.
A car horn tooted in her driveway, speeding her out the door. Brooklyn didn’t have a key. She hadn’t ever needed to leave alone. An image flashed into her brain of a single key hanging next to the garage. She darted to the keyholder, borrowed it, and secured the front door behind her.
“Caffeine, here we come!” Giana greeted her cheerfully. “Before we go, are you sure you’re ready for this? We don’t have to go. I could come in, and we could splurge on chocolate milk.”
“Can we return if I get scared?”
“Immediately. Tell me and we’re out of there,” Giana reassured her.
Several minutes later, Brooklyn sat focused on the door as she sipped on a sinfully sweet, caffeinated beverage with whipped cream on top. She moaned with delight at the delicious taste. “This is heaven.”
