Chapter Twenty-Four

Scarlett

I was a little surprised the studio hadn’t given me an earlier appointment for my drug screening, but maybe they didn’t really care all that much. I was on my way back from the test and decided to pick up a few groceries at the store.

I happened to look up in my mirror and noticed a black car. It was a Maxima, just like mine. It was funny how many cars like mine I saw now that I drove one. Dismissing the car, I used the steering wheel controls to turn up the stereo. It was cool fall day, and I loved being able to have my window down a little with the heat on. I knew it was silly, but I loved the fresh air.

As I was sitting at the light, I looked around the area, taking note of the bakery on the corner. I wanted to give the place a try in the near future. The light turned green, and I checked my mirror to see the black car behind me again. I couldn’t see the driver with the way the sun was hitting the windshield, but I got the idea it was a man.

On a spur-of-the-moment decision, I turned right. I nearly sideswiped a parked car with my tight turn. I looked in the mirror and saw the black car was still behind me. My heart did a funny little kick and dance before my palms grew sweaty while I gripped the wheel.

The light turned red, and I was forced to stop. I kept watching in my mirror, trying to get a glimpse of the driver. The visor was down, obscuring my view. As soon as the light turned green, I hit the gas, propelling the car through the intersection. There was an exit for the freeway a mile ahead. I decided I would get on the freeway, get off at the first exit, and see if the car was still tailing me.

Deep down, I was convinced it was Isaac. It wasn’t the vehicle I knew him to drive, but he could have rented a car or bought a new one. I hit the gas and rocketed up the on-ramp onto the freeway, weaving in and out of cars before jumping off at the next exit. I focused on my driving and didn’t look in the mirror until I waited to take my turn onto the city streets.

“Shit!” The black car was there. Whoever was driving the car was absolutely following me.

I saw the speed limit sign, but I no longer cared. I drove well above the speed limit. I was in a panic. I felt like I was running for my life.

When I glanced up in my mirror next, I didn’t see the black car; I saw red-and-blue flashing lights instead. The black car was in the left lane, trailing behind at a reasonable speed. I had never been so glad to be pulled over in my life.

I pulled off to the side of the road, my knuckles white with the force of my grip. There was a tap on my window. I took a few deep breaths and rolled it down. I saw the black car pass and breathed a sigh of relief. The cop had scared him away.

“Good afternoon, miss. Can I have your license and reg—” The officer stopped talking.

“Hi,” I said sheepishly.

“What the hell are you doing driving like a bat out of hell?” Noah asked.

“I was being followed. I thought it was my ex-boyfriend.”

“Do you know how fast you were going?” he asked in a stern voice.

I shook my head. “Actually, no, I don’t.”

“You were going twice the posted speed limit. That’s a felony. I could give you a reckless driving ticket for that.”

I looked up and saw the black car turn into a parking lot and pull right back out. My eyes followed the car as it came back down the street.

“There,” I said, holding my breath, the word barely audible.

“Where?” Noah turned and looked.

“The black car,” I said, my voice going shrill.

“Maxima? Wait, that car looks identical to yours,” Noah said, and I could hear the dawning of the problem in his voice.

As the car came closer, I stared at the driver’s window, squinting to get a clear look.

“It’s him!” I shrieked.

“Him who?” Noah asked, alarm in his voice.

“Isaac! My ex!”

I stared as Isaac drove by. He was sneering at me, giving me a good look at his face and not caring a bit that I did.

“Scarlett, relax. He’s gone. You say he was following you?” he asked in a voice filled with concern.

“Yes. I was on my way home. I had to do a drug test for my new job, and I just happened to notice the car behind me because it’s almost identical to mine. After a few miles and several turns, I realized the car was still there. I did drive a little erratically. I’m sorry. I thought maybe I was crazy and the person wasn’t actually following me.”

“Okay. Why don’t I follow you down to the station. I’ll take an official statement, and we’ll see what we can do to get you an emergency TRO,” he said, placing a warm hand on my shoulder.

“A TRO?”

“Temporary restraining order. I can show cause and get an emergency one granted. You’ll get a court date for later where you can get a restraining order put in place for a year or more,” he explained.

I nodded. “Okay. You’ll be right behind me?”

“Yes. Do you know where our station is?”

I shook my head. “No,” I squeaked.

“Hand me your phone and I’ll pull it up on Maps.”

I did as he asked, my eyes darting back and forth around the area, expecting Isaac to jump out and attack me at any second.

He handed me my phone back. “Don’t speed. If you see him, maintain your speed and just get to the station. Did you happen to catch the license plate?” he asked.

I shook my head, feeling foolish. “No.”

“It’s okay. We’ll worry about that later. Are you okay to drive?”

I smiled. “Yes. Thank you. Really, thank you for listening and not thinking I’m crazy.”

He chuckled. “I never said I didn’t think you were crazy,” he said with a wink before going back to his patrol car.

His easy way made me relax a little. I followed the directions given by the friendly voice coming from my phone and made my way to the station. I continuously checked my mirror, making sure Noah was following through with his promise to follow me. Isaac wouldn’t be dumb enough to mess with me with a cop in sight—I hoped.

I parked on the street and waited on the steps for Noah. He was on his cell phone as he walked toward me.

He slid his phone into his pocket and looked at me. “You okay?”

I nodded. “I am now.”

“I just talked to Cameron. He’s out on another call right now.”

My eyes widened. “You didn’t tell him, did you?”

He shook his head. “No. That’s your business. I just wanted to see if he was around so he could get the statement from you. He’s on a task force that requires his full attention, though. I didn’t want to risk telling him about this and distracting him.” His chocolate-brown eyes were serious. “He cares about you. I imagine if he knew you were having this kind of trouble, it would definitely distract him.”

“Thank you. I’ll talk to him about this another time.”

“All right. Let’s get your statement and see about getting you a TRO. I know they don’t seem like a lot of help, but trust me, it gives me something to work with.”

“Okay. I’ll do whatever it takes to get him to stay away from me.”

I followed him to a desk where he pulled out some papers and began to ask me questions about my encounters with Isaac. I could see the anger in his eyes as I spoke.

“I need you to put down everything that has happened in this statement. I can get you as many sheets as you need. Can I get you a soda or some water?” he asked.

“I’d love some water, please.” I was parched after the excitement.

It took me over thirty minutes to get my statement down. Noah took it and disappeared for a while and then returned with a copy of a temporary restraining order. I held it in my hands, staring at it. I had tried for so long to get something to keep Isaac away from me, and I finally had it.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He nodded. “Of course. Are you headed home?”

“Yes, I am now. I was going to stop at the grocery store, but I think I’d rather go home and lock the doors.”

“I’ll follow you and check out the house.”

“Thank you. You really don’t have to do that,” I said, feeling a little overdramatic.

“I want to, and I do.” He grinned. “If I sent you home without making sure you were safe, Cameron would kick my ass.

I drove to my house with my new bodyguard trailing behind me. There were a couple of false alarms, and I was once again reminded of how many cars just like mine were on the road. I had a feeling it was why Isaac had chosen to drive one. Either that, or it was some kind of sick obsession. It was hard to say with that man.

“Wait out here,” Noah instructed, taking my house keys from me.

I instantly started doing a mental walk-through of my house. I had dirty laundry in my room, and I hadn’t done my breakfast dishes. Of course, none of that would matter if Isaac had gotten in and trashed the house again.

Noah came out and waved me over. “All clear. I’m on duty for the next two hours. If he shows up, calls, or drives by, call my cell phone directly. Call 911 if he tries anything. We’ll do our best to let him know there was a restraining order issued, but we may not be able to find him today. We’ll send someone to his address in Careywood, but stay alert.” He held my gaze, much like Cameron did.

“I will. I’ll keep my doors locked and my phone at the ready.”

“Good. Be safe, Scarlett. Cam can’t lose another one,” he muttered under his breath as he walked to his car.

I turned to ask him what he meant by that, but it was obvious he didn’t want to talk about it. I went inside, locked the door, and immediately felt the quiet. I was getting a little tired of being alone all the time. Isaac had thrust me into a world of isolation. I knew it was on purpose. If I was desperate and alone and he was the only person in my life willing to be around me, I would be stuck with him.

I had a feeling when Cameron found out Isaac was back, he was going to give me the cold shoulder again. Last night had been amazing, and I felt truly connected to him, like there could actually be a chance for a friendship with benefits.

Unfortunately, Isaac was going to take that away from me.