4
Hayden
Ifeel like a goddamn stalker. I have for days, ever since Nellie confirmed that Veronica was a friend of her granddaughter’s. The saint that Nellie is, she sat and answered all of my questions. That day I left work early, going home content.
I had convinced myself to wait for an online response from Veronica. But it didn’t happen, I’d been driving myself insane for days thinking about her, each day worse than the last.
Until last night, when my phone buzzed with the notification that I’d been anxiously waiting for. I must’ve typed out half a dozen messages before realizing that I needed to see her in person. Everything that I thought to write in a message just sounded creepy as fuck.
Creepy messages, more times than not, don’t elicit responses from pretty girls.
What the fuck am I doing?
I really need to take a step back and re-evaluate my life. I’ve sunk down deep to get to this level. But, my god, I just couldn’t help myself. It seemed like nothing was impossible or off-limits when it came to her.
Veronica may well be the exception to every goddamn rule ever written.
It’s ironic.
I’m standing across the street, following Veronica as she moves from shop to shop with a redheaded woman on her arm. All because my curiosity has turned more obsessive. I want to know her; I want any chance to bump into her again.
And yet, if she knew just how deep she had hooked me, she’d probably throw me back into the ocean.
I can’t understand it. Which is why I won’t try and explain it to anyone. All I need to know is if she feels even remotely the same way about me as I do her.
The two women stop on the sidewalk in front of a busy bar and grill. For a second, it looks like they’re about to enter but instead they turn to face each other, hug and part ways. The redhead leaves, continuing to walk down the main street as Veronica disappears inside the restaurant.
Curiosity piqued, I hurriedly cross the street to follow her.
What the hell?
Is she dining alone? That could totally work to my advantage. Or maybe she’s meeting someone.
I peer through the window of the restaurant and sure enough, my eyes find Veronica right away. Here’s the kicker, she’s seated at a table with a man. Another man. As in, not me.
I don’t know whether I should give up and go home or hang around a little longer. I’m pondering it when I catch a glimpse of the man’s face.
Oh, fuck no.
Eons ago, back in high school, Nicky Lane was once my rival. As I storm into the restaurant with the grace of a raging bull, I can’t believe it. Would my Veronica really rather hang around this cocky, sick bastard than be with me?
No, because she doesn’t know that she has alternatives until I can convince her otherwise. To make her realize she deserves better thanNicky Lane.
How had I not known Veronica earlier on in life?
I regret my lack of interest in women. Maybe if I’d been actively searching for love, I might’ve found her a lot sooner than this.Hell, how did I not notice her in high school?
It didn’t matter. I was here now.
Lane spots me first, his eyes narrow into slits as he notices that I’m heading straight for them. The next few moments pass by in slow motion.
