My heart started to pound as I glanced around, wondering if someone was outside my house. I grabbed my phone and texted Morgan.
Morgan: I’ll be right over. Stay put.
Me: No. I’m fine. I just wanted to make you aware.
I unlocked and relocked my French doors to the back deck as I waited for his reply, and then I peeked through the blinds, trying to see if someone was outside.
Morgan: I’m coming over, Race. I need to do a perimeter check. I’ll bring the others to help and stay with you for a while. No lip.
I didn’t expect him to rush right over. I felt guilty for pulling him away from whatever he was doing tonight.
Me: No. There’s no one here. I’m fine. Really.
Morgan: Stay inside, lock the doors, and stay away from the windows. I’ll be there in twenty.
Duh! I mean, seriously. Did he think I was going to stand outside and sing a song?
Me: Yes, sir.
I turned the lights off and tried to distract myself while I waited.
I settled on the couch, watchingThe Bachelorand the train wreck that happened every episode. It was always good for a laugh. I started to drift off during the rose ceremony, my eyes feeling heavy and starting to sting.
My doorbell rang and I jumped.
“Race!” Morgan yelled as he knocked on the door. “Race, answer the goddamn door.”
“Coming!” I replied as I stomped toward the door. I checked my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were red, with bags underneath. Great. My pajamas were okay, but they were nothing he hadn’t seen before. Really, it was just a pair of shorts and a tank top. I wasn’t about to make it look like I’d made an effort.
This was business, I reminded myself as I reached for the door, not sex.
“Race! I’m going to bust this door down if you don’t open it.” He pounded on the door this time.
The man was such a spaz. “What the hell?” I asked, throwing my hands up after I opened the door.
His eyes were on fire as he breathed hard. “What the hell? That’s all you have to say?” he asked with his hands resting on the frame and two men behind him.
“Well, yeah. I mean, I’m fine, and there’s no reason to threaten to bust down my door. I yelled ‘Coming.’”
“I wouldn’t let a door stand between me and your safety,” he said, giving me a halfhearted smile.
“I’m fine. I haven’t been murdered.” I opened the door wide enough to let them in.
“Not yet,” the tall guy said, following Morgan into the house.
“Jesus. You’re all such Debbie Downers,” I said as I closed the door.
“We’re realists, Ms. True. You have threats against you, and we are taking them very seriously,” Mr. Gallo said.
“Fine. I’m worried too. You’re right. But we don’t have to go over the top here.”
While I stood there, half dressed, redness crept up my chest.
I’d never been that girl.
“Over the top would’ve been if we came in with our guns out, ma’am,” the tall man said.
I shook my head as I walked back toward the couch. “Men. You’re all crazy,” I mumbled, collapsing onto the cushion.
