Sean answered on the second ring. “Hailey? What’s wrong?”
“Sorry. There’s a car following me, and I feel weird about it. I may be overreacting.”
“Come back to the bar.”
I glanced behind me at the headlights. “Okay,” I said, not wanting to argue.
“Keep the line open. He’s not getting closer?”
“The headlights are still bright. Too bright to see who it is. I mean, it could just be a little old lady for all I know.” I tried to laugh, but it came out too high and panicked.
“Then we’ll have a good laugh about it. I’d rather make sure you’re safe.”
I stopped at a stop sign under a streetlight. I started to go, but there was a car coming. I probably had enough room, but nerves had me slamming on the brake. The car behind me must have thought I was going because it drew closer, the headlights blocked by my bumper.
I saw a man with brown hair and a small nose and a blue polo shirt, the collar even more crooked than before. I sucked in a breath.
“Hailey? You okay?”
“It’s the guy from the bar. He tried to hit on me. Brad, I think.” Now that the other car had passed, I turned onto the main street, a little too fast.
“Shit. You’re okay. Getting close?”
“A couple of blocks away. He’s a lot farther back. I think he knows where I’m going.”
“Good. I hope he turns in so I can kick his ass.”
“He didn’t do anything.”
“Because you picked up on it. That’s really good, Hailey. That you turning in?”
The churning in my gut hadn’t gone away. “Yeah. I’m here.” I turned into the parking lot, my lights passing over Sean, who stood near the road, before illuminating Jack, waiting at the open front door. I stopped right in front of him instead of pulling into a space, my heart hammering as the car following me drove past the bar, not turning in.
I put the car in park, turned it off, and opened the door. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cause a fuss.”
Jack was already crouched beside me, my seat belt tightening around me as he wrapped me in his arms. “You okay?” he asked, his voice rasping.
I hugged him back. “I’m okay. He didn’t follow me in here, so I probably overreacted.”
“Nope. He knew you figured him out and tried to get away.” Sean held up his phone. “Got a picture of the plate for the cops. You call them yet?” he asked Jack.
“Not yet.” Jack pulled back, reaching for my seat belt buckle. “Come inside to wait for them.”
“I should park properly first,” I said, but I took his hand anyway and let him pull me out of the car.
“Nope, that’s enough driving for you. Let Sean do it.”
“It’ll only take a second,” I protested, but Sean was already easing himself inside the car, where the keys were still in the ignition.
“You took a couple of years off his life. Let him keep hold of you for a minute.” Sean eased the car door shut. Jack pulled me inside the bar before I saw Sean finish parking.
“I really am okay,” I told Jack, following his urging to sit on what I considered my barstool.
“Because you were paying attention. You were so tired tonight. When I think—” Jack swallowed, looking away. He ran a hand over his hair. “I should call the police.” He pulled out his phone, talking into it when someone answered. Hanging up, he settled onto the barstool next to me. “They’re coming out to write up a report.”
I nodded, thinking of how Brad had sat right where Jack was sitting not that long ago. “Did this happen because I brushed him off? Could I have let him down easier?”
“This isn’t on you. Some guys are just assholes.” Jack stood. “You need something? Maybe a water?”
