Anonymous(8)

“Good, as a matter of fact. I’m calling to see if you need anything while Jake’s gone. There’s an amazing new restaurant in Asheville that just opened. I keep telling your husband he needs to take you there. A few of us are going there tonight. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

“Thanks for the invite, Randy, but I can’t tonight. I have a whole pan of lasagna I don’t want to waste.”

A sigh echoes through the phone. “All right then. If you change your mind, you know how to reach me. I’m always around.”

“Thanks, Randy. Have a good night.”

“You do the same.”

I hang up quickly and look at Vikki. Shrugging, I say, “What do you think?”

Vikki stares down at my phone, her lips pursed in thought. “That almost seemed nice.”

“Yeah, you know what, you’re right. The guy has honestly never been anything but nice to me. I think I’m projecting onto him. He’s just trying to include me in company outings.”



* * *



It’s closing time and Vikki and I are busy cleaning, so we can get home. My phone beeps with an incoming text and I look down at it and growl. “You can’t be serious.” Staring back at me isn’t a text from Jake, but from Anonymous. Even though I deleted and blocked the number ninety days ago, I still recognize it.

Vikki moves closer, her eyes wide. “What’s going on?”

I show her the text.

(xxx) xxx-6489: 31773?

Brows furrowed, she sits back. “What does that mean?” I turn my phone upside down, so she can see that the number spells out my name. Her eyes widen. “Wow, that’s cool you can type your name with numbers.”

“But not so cool when I don’t know who the person is,” I counter. “About three months ago, I got texts from this exact same person. Whoever it is likes to play games. I’m sick of it and I want them to leave me alone.” Taking a deep breath, I type out a reply.

Me: WHO IS THIS?

(xxx) xxx-6489: Why all the yelling?

I roll my eyes. This is just ridiculous.

Me: I like using all caps.

(xxx) xxx-6489: Don’t stop on my account. So, what have you been up to? Been a while since we talked.

Me: Yeah, it’s because I blocked the number.

(xxx) xxx-6489: Why?

Me: BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!!!!!!

“What is he saying?” Vikki asks. I show her the texts and her eyes widen. “So, you haven’t talked to him since you blocked the number?”

I think back to when I blocked it and if my calculations are correct, the ninety days was up yesterday. “No, but he has perfect timing. My ninety days ran up yesterday. I might need to run to the cell store and see if they can block it permanently.”

My phone beeps again and a sharp pain settles in my gut. I just want whoever it is to leave me alone.

(xxx) xxx-6489: That hurts. You’ve always been friendly toward me.

Me: Obviously not friendly enough, if you can’t tell me who you are. It’s weird and it makes me uncomfortable. You need to leave me the hell alone. Don’t text, call, or try to contact me in any way. I’m happily married, and I want it to stay that way. GOODBYE!

Heart racing, I log into my cell phone account and before I can block the number, another text comes through.

(xxx) xxx-6489: Sorry 31773 but that’s not going to happen.

The blood in my veins runs cold. Hands shaking, I block his number and my phone drops onto the table. Vikki picks it up and reads the final text, her face growing pale.

“I don’t think this person’s going away. Do you think it’s one of your ex boyfriends?”

Thinking back to all the guys I’d dated over the years, there’s no telling who it could be. I’d dated a lot, several of which ended up having mental issues. There was even one guy who threatened to kill himself if I didn’t stay with him. Needless to say, I got as far away from him as I could.

“It could be anyone, Vik,” I whisper uneasily. “I haven’t exactly dated the most stable of guys through the years.” Although, there is a handful of men who come to mind. Then again, there’s no telling.

“Maybe you could see if Owen can help you track this person down?”

It’s an option, but not one I want to take right now. Owen Kensley is an undercover cop for the North Carolina State Police, and happens to be good friends with me and Jake. He would help me in an instant, but I don’t want him involved, especially since Jake doesn’t know. Owen has enough to deal with for his job.

“That’ll be my last resort. I’m hoping that last text is just a bluff.”

Vikki sighs. “What if it’s not?”

The bell on the door rings and I stand. “I’ll just have to deal with it then.” Right now, I have my business to think about, along with the joy of starting a family with Jake. I can’t let anything ruin that.





Four





Ellie





Jake hadn’t been kidding when he’d said he was going to have to go out to Arizona a lot. It’s been ten weeks, and I’ve probably only seen him a handful of times. Although, those times he’s been home have been the best. We’ve made love countless times, but still no baby.