We stayed at the second club a little longer than we did the first. The man was looming in the background the entire time. When we left to go to our third stop, I suggested we take the limo. The girls thought this was a great idea because their feet were getting sore from dancing in their high heels. I didn’t make the suggestion to provide mercy for their abused toes. I wanted to have our ride nearby in case we needed to leave quickly and I thought driving would make it harder for anyone to follow us. I felt like I was being paranoid for no reason, but I just couldn’t let it go.
We had a table reserved for us at the third club. As soon as I sat down, I immediately scanned the area. When I didn’t see the man from the previous clubs anywhere, I breathed a sigh of relief. The alcohol was catching up to a few of the girls, so I was very glad we reserved a table. I danced with Ember and Reese in between checking on the ones at the table.
I had just turned around to head back to the dance floor when I saw him. The same man and he was staring right at me. My chest tightened with fear and I froze for a brief second before I reacted. I needed to get the girls out of there, but I didn’t know how to do it without causing alarm. Doing my best to remain calm and not draw unnecessary attention, I walked to the bathroom. Of course, there was a freaking line. Here’s the thing about drunk women, they talk a lot and they pee slow.
After several minutes of standing in almost the same exact spot, I pulled my phone out and sent a text to Phoenix.
Annabelle: I think we’re being followed. What should I do?
Phoenix: You are being followed.
Annabelle: What??
Phoenix: Shaker and Carbon have been tailing you all night.
Annabelle: I’m not talking about them!!!
Phoenix: WTF doll face?
Annabelle: Idk. Get them in here please.
Phoenix: Ok. Hang on babe.
Phoenix: They’re not answering. I’m heading out. You stay put and keep the girls together.
Annabelle: I don’t want to scare them.
Phoenix: You think a man is following you. My boys are on duty and not answering their president. You get the girls and stay put. I’m on my way.
Shit. I hoped I was overreacting. I would much rather be embarrassed about being paranoid than be right about one of us being in danger. Finding out that Shaker and Carbon weren’t answering their phones didn’t ease my worry at all.
Since I was only in line so I could call Phoenix without anyone knowing, I turned around to go gather up the girls and stopped dead in my tracks. My eyes had to be deceiving me. I couldn’t really be seeing the unknown stalker man talking to Crystal.
Not wasting any time and not giving a shit about drawing attention, I walked as fast as I could to the dance floor. I grabbed Ember’s arm and tugged, “I need you to come to the table with me. All of you. Now!”
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Ember asked, eyes wide.
“I’ll explain in a minute. Help me get everyone rounded up and back to the table. Stay in groups of three or more,” I said, grabbing Sarah, Ember’s employee, by the arm and dragging her with me.
With everyone back at our table, I dropped into a chair and explained, “I noticed a guy following us. He’s been everywhere we’ve been tonight and he’s been staring. So, I sent a text to Phoenix about it. Come to find out, Shaker and Carbon have been shadowing us all night, or were supposed to be, but Phoenix can’t get a hold of them. He told me to gather up everyone and stay put. He’s on his way now.”
I faced Ember. “I’m sorry, baby. I thought I was just being paranoid. I called your dad so he could talk me down without upsetting you all. I didn’t want to ruin your party.”
“You didn’t ruin anything, Mom. You did the right thing,” Ember replied.
Reese was sitting quietly, staring off into space, her face uncharacteristically blank. “Reese, honey, are you okay?” I asked.
Ember whispered, “You realize Carbon’s her brother, right?”
“Oh, I’m not sure I knew that,” I said. “Hey, did you see Crystal earlier?”
“No. You saw her?” Ember asked.
“I thought I did, but it might not have been her,” I lied. I knew it was her. I would have written that off as a true coincidence if I hadn’t seen her talking to stalker man.
Hands slid over my shoulders from behind, causing me to scream and jump out of my chair. “It’s me, baby! I’m sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
Phoenix. He would make everything better. He would take care of everything and get us home safely. “I’m so glad you’re here. Did you find Shaker and Carbon?”
