As he reached the next corner, a familiar figure, thin and tall, made the turn, approaching on his side of the street.He was about to make a call, but then paused.“Don’t, please, I just want to talk,” William said, and he stilled.
“What do you want?”Derek asked as clearly and as calmly as he could muster while desperately wanting to run home as fast as he could.
William smiled at him, but Derek wasn’t buying it.“I heard about what happened at your place, and I hope you weren’t hurt or anything.”There was no warmth in his tone, none.
“I wasn’t.Harm put the fire out and made sure I was okay.”He watched those cold eyes as they turned downright icy.
William seemed to forcibly soften his expression.“You know, you and I would be really good together.A lot better than you and that giant.I love books and so do you, and I’m a real supporter of the library.”He smiled, his perfect teeth bright.“If you gave us a chance, I know you’d be happy.”
Derek wasn’t sure what to do.His instinct screamed for him to get out of there and race home, but he also knew that this might be his chance to convince William to leave him alone.“I’m sure you’re a really great guy, and I know there’s someone out there who’s perfect for you.But that guy isn’t me.”He was gentle when all he wanted to do was scream for William to leave him alone.“Go out and meet people.”
“I did,” William interrupted.“I tried to get over you for a long time.I went out with others and to the clubs in Harrisburg, but every time I met someone, they didn’t measure up because none of them were you.That’s how I know that we could be great together.I can’t get you out of my mind.So I just have to make you understand that I will do anything to have you.”Jesus.A chill went up Derek’s back.
“But you can’t have me.I’m just not as interested in you as you are in me.That doesn’t mean that you have to spend the rest of your life alone.Just go out and find someone who feels the same way about you.”He checked his phone.“I need to get home, but you have a nice night.”He forced a smile and walked past William, determined not to run, but to put as much distance between them as possible.
He purposely didn’t look back, but he paid special attention in case William tried to follow him.When he reached the corner and didn’t hear footsteps, he chanced a glance back the way he’d come.He didn’t want to seem like he was looking, but he had to know.William stood in the same place, not having moved at all.But he was too far away for Derek to see his expression.He continued around the corner, and William disappeared from sight.Only then did he pick up his pace to get home as quickly as possible.
His phone chimed and vibrated in his hand.“I just finished work.Had a really good day.How are you?Still want to have dinner?”
Derek read Harm’s message and replied, “Had a great day at work too, but met William on the way home.I talked to him, don’t know if it helped or hurt, but I’m home now.”He sent the message and was about to send another, but he got a response from Harm first.
“I’m on my way, Will be there in five minutes.Do not go inside… just in case.”Derek smiled and instead of going home, knocked on a neighbor’s door, and Harvey answered.
“Sorry to bother you,” Derek said.They had met a few times over the fence, but that was about all.“I’m sorry about the drama last night with the trash can fire.”
“I saw that this morning.What happened?”He stepped back and let Derek inside.“Was it an accident?Did someone toss in a cigarette?”Harvey closed the door, and they stood in his front hall.At least Derek was inside where it was warm.
“Not sure.I called the police.”He swallowed hard because they really hadn’t talked a lot.“I’ve got a guy who has been following me sometimes, and he’s started causing trouble where I work.It’s possible he set it.I reported the incident to the police.So if you happen to see anything or anyone suspicious, please let them know.”He was finally beginning to warm up and relax a little.
“It’s been quiet today.I’ve been working from home, and my office is in one of the rooms upstairs.The window in that room overlooks your back and side yard, and I haven’t seen anything, but I will let you know if I do.”
“I appreciate it.I ran into him on the way home, so it’s possible he came from the area around the house.I don’t know.”
Harvey nodded.“My sister had a stalker while she was in college, and you can’t be too careful.Thankfully hers wasn’t doing the work and he got kicked out of school.That brought it to an end.Otherwise he never would have stopped, I know that.”That wasn’t the kind of thing he wanted to hear, but it was what he had started to understand.Guys like William… the attachment wasn’t reasonable, so neither was their behavior.“Are you alone?Do you have someone that can watch your back?”
Derek didn’t even have to think about it.“Yeah, I do.He’ll be here as soon as he can.”
“Good.”Harvey looked out the window.“Ummm, not sure, but there’s a huge guy out in front of your house.He’s looking the place over.Do you want me to call the police?”
Derek peered out the next window.“That’s Harmon.”
“The guy who has your back?”Harvey asked, and Derek nodded.“Jesus.What is wrong with this stalker of yours?From the looks of him, this guy could tear anyone apart.”
“Yeah.Except Harm is as kind and gentle as anyone I’ve ever met.He’s just big.”Derek practically giggled as he remembered just how big Harm was… in so many ways.He cleared his throat.“Thank you for keeping an eye on things.I really appreciate it.”
“Any time,” Harvey said, and Derek thanked him again before stepping outside.Harm was nowhere to be found when he came out.Derek checked down the passage between the row houses and into the backyard.Harm stood near the back windows, peering inside.
“What are you doing?”Derek asked and realized there was no way Harm was going to be able to answer that.“Sorry.Are you checking the place out?”
Harm nodded, his expression deadly serious.
“Is it okay?”
He nodded and then shrugged.Derek took that as an “I think so.”
“Should we go inside?I was at the neighbor’s until you got here.Harvey is nice, and his office overlooks the yard.He said he didn’t see anything unusual.”Derek unlocked the back door of the house, and they both went inside.
Harm motioned for him to stay where he was, and he went through the house before returning.Derek wondered if that was a little over the top, but then, it was how Harm showed that he cared.As soon as he returned, Harm hugged him and gave him a kiss.Now, that was the best way to say “welcome home”.
