We got in the car, and she followed my directions to my new apartment. In my purse, my phone kept ringing. Both Jess and Hamilton had called me numerous times, but I didn’t want to talk to either of them. I wasn’t sure what to say. I had sent them both a text to let them know I was fine and got a ride home, but they were relentless.
“I just don’t understand what this guy’s problem is. He’s a reporter, right?” Mom rambled as she turned into the parking lot. “Why does he think you have a story, huh?” She looked at me out of the corner of her eye. “Who were you with at this café, baby?”
I swallowed. “Hamilton’s roommate invited me. Her girlfriend is in the band that was playing,” I explained, hoping she wouldn’t question it.
“Hamilton? As in Joseph’s brother?” she asked, surprise marring her expression.
“Yeah. You know he was there when Saint first showed up. I met his roommate, and she was really nice. I think they just feel bad that I know no one here. It was probably a pity invite,” I explained, though it didn’t feel like a pity invite. It felt like a date. It felt like a date that went to hell the moment I saw Saint. I knew I needed to tell my mother the truth. If Saint took a photo of Hamilton and me, I just knew it would look far too suggestive for friendly family members enjoying a concert together. By tomorrow, it would be all over the headlines.
But I didn’t want to tell her just yet. I couldn’t believe that I fucked everything up.
We got out of the car and made our way inside the building. “Joseph has told me a lot about his brother, you know,” she said while tugging at her pajamas. “I’m not sure you should be spending time with him, baby.”
I knew she was right. Hamilton was trouble. But something within me broke at her words. I didn’t want to stay away. Was I really so lonely that I would risk everything for a one-night stand? Because that’s all he would ever give me. One. Night.
“What did Joseph say?” I prodded.
“Just that Hamilton has always been a bit of a wild child. He was really heavy on drugs a few years back. Joseph isn’t sure if he still is, but he used to be manic. Would lie all the time—and he was apparently good at it. He could convince anyone of anything.”
I swallowed as we made the way to my door. After turning onto the hallway where my apartment was, I abruptly halted when I saw someone leaning against the door. “Fuck,” I cursed. There was a single light overhead, casting the person in shadows. Was Saint here?
“Who is that?” Mom hissed while grabbing my arm. At the commotion, the person turned to face us, and we both let out a sigh of relief.
Hamilton.
He jogged down the long hallway toward me, and the moment he was close enough, Hamilton wrapped me in a tight hug. “You scared the shit out of me,” he said with a curse. I felt stiff and awkward in his arms, my mother clicking her tongue beside us. “Are you okay? Saint got out of there before I could talk to him. I bet you’re really freaked out.” He cupped my cheeks and stared me in the eye, making me feel dizzy from all the fucking butterflies in my stomach.
Mom cleared her throat. “Hamilton.”
He didn’t stop holding me. He didn’t even glance at her. We were locked in a stare down. Like Saint hadn’t interrupted us earlier and my mother wasn’t standing right next to me.
“Hamilton?” I said.
He pulled away and straightened his shirt. “Hey, Lilah, good to see you again,” he said to my mother while wrapping her up in a hug. She patted his back, and he pulled away.
“Wish it could be under better circumstances,” Mom replied while looking him up and down. “I didn’t realize you and my daughter had grown so close.”
Hamilton smiled politely. “Family is very important to me, Lilah.”
My stomach flopped at his words. Mom replied while I stood there tongue-tied. “Right. Well, we are fine. Thank you for checking on her, but I’ve got it from here. Joseph promised me that he would call the police.”
“You might want to tell them about this, too,” Hamilton said before nodding at my front door. Tell them about what? I looked in the direction of my apartment with my brow furrowed. After seeing something there, my feet had a mind of their own, carrying me to a ripped sheet of paper taped there. My heart pounded. Mom called my name, but I didn’t stop. It wasn’t until I could see the messy, scrawled note that the terror clicked into place and ice filled my veins.
Vera,
Your secret is safe with me.
For now.
-S
“He was here?” Mom shrieked. “I’m calling the police.”
Mom pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911 while I turned to stare at Hamilton. He looked eerily calm, but there was a fiery determination in his gaze. His dark vacant eyes glared at the ominous threat. Fuck. This was too close.
Hamilton and the police were long gone. By the time we gave our statements and they did a sweep of the apartment, it was three a.m. Mom was snoozing peacefully on the mattress next to me, one hand on her stomach, one behind her head. I felt safer knowing she was with me, but I still couldn’t fall asleep.
Hamilton disappeared the moment we called Jack to let him know what was going on. Part of me was relieved, but the other part of me felt safer having him around. I wasn’t thinking clearly when I ran away from the café. I just wanted to put space between me and the man following me. I was
