Crazy for You Read online

  What widened the hole in his heart had been when his mother had called him. Her reasons had been two-fold: One, to argue with him about how good a woman Charlotte was and to marry her and, two, to schedule a date for the baby shower.

  What can I do? Where can I go? One thing he knew for sure: he didn’t want to return to the condo. It no longer felt like home. He tapped the fingers on the bench, thinking through his options.

  I can call the center. Maybe step in and volunteer with something. He texted Damien to see if they could use a hand. The director quickly replied and let him know a few of the kids were bored and could use some entertainment. Slinging the duffel bag over his shoulder, Jake made his way to Refurbished Dreams.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Jake bent over to pick up the sports equipment off the worn Astroturf, clearing the space after an impromptu game of indoor flag football with the kids. The white parallel lines were fading, and the former bright green color was just a shade or two from turning brown. The laughter and earnest questions about what it took to be a professional athlete had given him the distraction he’d needed.

  But now that it was just him and Damien at the center, Charlotte and Bean edged back into Jake’s thoughts. Damn, I miss my angel. He missed their Netflix and chill nights, their gym dates, their random arguments about superheroes and comic books. And somehow during their time together, she’d stolen his heart. And he didn’t want it back. After all this shit is done, I’m going to marry her. He paused, mid-grab, elated and scared out of his ever loving mind. Elated because he’d found someone to share in his life, to take care and to love, scared out of his ever-loving mind because there was a stalker on the loose who thought themselves in love with him and couldn’t conceive Jake being in a relationship because of his manwhore past.

  But the stalker had gone silent, and Charlotte felt safe and free down south.

  None of this is fair. His family seemed happy, and a few days ago, Grandma Etta had even begun calling him again. He wasn’t the favorite grandson any longer, and he’d been written out of the will, which he imagined included knitting needles, pictures, and family recipes like the highly-guarded sweet tea. No problem. He didn’t need the money, and he was pretty sure Grandma Etta would give the inheritance to someone in need.

  “What are you up to these days, Ross?” Damien asked as he organized the flags.

  Jake exhaled, happy to be pulled out of his thoughts. “Pitch practice. Gym. Not much else.” He pointed to the ground. “I’m cutting Refurbished Dreams a check before I leave. We need to replace this turf.”

  Damien bobbed his head. “Appreciate it, man. It’s been on the to-do list, but the damn heater going out put that on hold. “By the way, we’re having a small get-together at our place this weekend. You should come.”

  Jake paused midway as he bent to pick up a mesh jersey. “I must look pretty damn pathetic if you’re inviting me to your place.”

  Damien laughed and shook his head. “It wasn’t me. Melanie.”

  “Ah, of course.”

  “And yeah, you have been looking pathetic lately, so I’m not taking no for an answer.”

  Jake nodded his head. “Melanie’s doing again?”

  “Nah. All me. And for God’s sake, shave before you come.”

  • • •

  “Jake!” Melanie rushed from the living room and into his arms. “Thanks for coming,” she whispered into his ear. She stepped back, and her gaze roamed, peering at him like a weird specimen under a microscope.

  He lifted the bottle of wine in his hand. “I come bearing gifts. And I shaved.”

  “Ummm . . . okay.” She gave him a weird look.

  “Per your husband’s orders.”

  She snorted. “He had the audacity to tell you to shave?” She gave Jake a conspiratorial look. “Remind me to tell you the story when he was pining away for me.”

  “Woman, you can’t tell all my secrets.” Damien walked toward them and hugged her from behind. “Glad you could make it, Ross.” He nodded toward the spread of food on a table near the kitchen. “Grab some grub. I think you know most people here.”

  Jake scanned the small crowd of eight, not including himself. Mostly couples. Tiana and Nathan. A few retired ball players and several people from Refurbished Dreams.

  “Go,” Melanie shooed. “Talk to people. We’ll catch up later tonight.”

  She made good on her promise as the crowd eventually thinned. By the end of the night, the only people that remained besides the hosts were Tiana and Nathan.

  Jake took another gulp of his whiskey sour. For once, he wasn’t worried about how he would fill the loneliness the night would bring or how to go about the next day. He was blissfully buzzed.

  Melanie sat on her husband’s lap in the brown leather recliner, while Tiana stretched her long legs over Nathan’s lap. Jealousy burned his stomach, hollowing out his insides.

  He’d lost his girl. Lost her to a psycho and couldn’t get her back without putting her and their son’s life in danger. Lost her because I thought I could play with women’s hearts.

  “Let’s talk, Ross.” Damien’s gruff voice cut into the spiraling thoughts.

  Jake tilted his head back to the ceiling. “Ah, hell. Is this an intervention?”

  “Maaybeee.” Melanie’s voice took on a higher pitch. “We just want you to be happy.”

  “And do right by Charlotte,” Damien added.

  “There goes my buzz,” Jake mumbled under his breath. “Look, guys. I’m doing the best I can do in this situation. I have a stalker threatening the woman I love and a pissed-off agent. Coach is riding my ass because I can’t get it together, and my biggest sponsor wants to force us to get married. But if we get married, the stalker has already told me she’d harm Charlotte and Bean.” He rubbed his hands over his hair. “I’m at my wit’s end. I don’t know what to do, and the police don’t have any leads.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute!” Melanie waved her hands in the air. “You love Charlotte?”

  Tilting her head to the side, Tiana scrunched her nose. “Umm . . . I think the most important thing from his rant is that someone has threatened Charlotte and the baby if they get married.” She waved at Jake. “And that sponsor pressuring you guys to tie the knot is the cherry on top of his hot-mess sundae.”

  Nathan shook his head. “Damn, man. That is a lot.”

  “Yeah,” Damien agreed. “We were going to give you shit about not visiting Charlotte, but I get it now.” He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t remember you or Charlotte mentioning the stalker’s threat about getting married.”

  “I didn’t tell her and neither will you.” Jake gripped his hand around the stout glass. “She doesn’t need the added stress.”

  “But she deserves to know,” Tiana argued. “She needs to be aware that the stalker is still active.”

  “Her family, as well as mine, are on alert.”

  Melanie shook her head. “She deserves to know your side. Charlotte’s in pain and not just from the pregnancy. She thinks you don’t love her and that you don’t want to marry her.”

  He swallowed a deep breath. “I’d give anything to marry that woman. I love her, but I’d rather she breathes easy for a while until we get this stalker situation under control.”

  “You’re letting this person control your life, Jake. What if you never find out who the stalker is? Then you’ll never be happy.”

  “If that what it takes to keep Charlotte and our baby safe, I’m willing to sacrifice.”

  “But—”

  “Chill, Mel.” Damien wrapped his arms around his wife. “I understand Ross and, hell, I’d do the same thing.”

  “So would I,” Nathan agreed. “For what it’s worth, I think the stalker will slip up. Keep your eyes open and stay alert. Trust no one.”

  “There has to be a way.” Melanie twisted her hands in her lap. “I’m so sorry, Jake. I wish I could help you somehow. Maybe I could investigate, ask a few questions,
and—”

  “No,” Jake cut her off.

  “Hell, no!” Damien growled.

  She lifted her hands. “Fine, fine.”

  Her husband turned her around to face him. “Promise me, Melly.”

  “Mmm hmm.”

  “I need the words.”

  “Sure, I promise.”

  “Repeat after me: Damien, I promise I will not go all Nancy Drew and stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

  “Damien, I promise I will not stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

  “Nope.” He shook his head. “You forgot the Nancy Drew part.”

  She swung her head to face him, curls bouncing on her shoulders. She scrunched her nose in an adorable way that reminded Jake of Charlotte.

  “Now you’re just being insulting. I said I’d back off.” The crossed fingers behind her back made Jake nearly choke on his drink.

  Clueless to his wife’s gesture, Damien sighed and relaxed his shoulders.

  “I think it’s time for us to head out.” Tiana stood, and Nathan soon followed. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow, Mel.”

  The hostess hopped up and gave her friend a hug.

  Damien pointed at Jake. “Ross. You’re crashing in the guest bedroom.”

  Jake nodded. After airing out all his demons, he wasn’t in a rush to return to his empty home.

  • • •

  Charlotte dried the dishes she’d cleaned and placed them in the chestnut cabinets. After a month of staying here, she’d developed a routine. First, work on the assignments Damien sent, which took her three to four hours a day to complete. Next, email Tiana and Melanie, and then snap a pic of her growing belly to text to Jake.

  Sometimes they’d talk on the phone, but lately it seemed like he was pulling away or punishing her for the decision she’d made. She missed him so badly her heart hurt thinking of him, but she had her pride. And she still wasn’t any closer to figuring out what she wanted to do.

  The phone she’d haphazardly stuffed in her back pocket dinged. “Probably a text from Jake.” She glanced at the time on the stove. It was near time for her to send a picture of her belly. She clicked open the text.

  ENJOY THE BASTARD CHILD WHILE YOU CAN. YOUR FAMILY CAN’T PROTECT YOU.

  Clapping her mouth to stifle a scream, she tossed the phone onto the counter. In a haze, she stumbled, jarring her hip bone against the Formica counter.

  They know where I am! Shoot. I need . . . “God, what do I do?” Her phone vibrated against the counter. This time she was unable to stifle her scream. The speed of her heart slowed down when she saw a familiar smiling face pop on her screen.

  She clicked the answer button. “Melanie,” she whispered. She hurried into her room, not wanting to alert her mother and freak out her family just yet.

  “Hey, girl. How are you? Just checking on my godchild. I know you haven’t officially made me a godparent, but I’m ready to make my case.”

  “Mel, I . . . I need your help.”

  “What’s wrong?” Melanie dropped her teasing tone.

  “I got . . . ” Charlotte took a deep breath. “I got another message, a-a text message this time. This person, t-this maniac knows where I am. I . . . I . . . we . . . we have no protection.” Rushing over to her window, she closed the blinds.

  “From who? The stalker? Oh, my gosh. What did the message say?”

  “They threatened the baby, told me they knew where I am and my family can’t protect me.”

  Oh my God! What if they go after my family? A large knot kicked her stomach, and it wasn’t Bean.

  “Deep breaths, Charlotte. I knew it . . . I knew you should be here in New York. I knew Jake was . . . ”

  Charlotte rubbed her sweaty palm against her pants. “Jake was what?”

  “Nothing. I’m just being dumb.”

  “Melanie, I know you.” She began pacing. “There’s something in your voice. You know something, and I need to know what it is. Please don’t leave me in the dark. I need all the info I can get.”

  “Okay, but before I tell you, you have to know that he’s just worried about you. Jake thought he was protecting you and—”

  “Just tell me, Mel. Please.”

  “I’ve been debating whether or not to. Heck, I even promised Damien I wouldn’t tell. But I crossed my fingers, so it doesn’t really count, does it? And now . . . now things are different.” She lowered her voice. “You need to know.”

  Charlotte remained quiet while her friend talked herself out of her guilt.

  “But I just . . . I just have this feeling that I’m supposed to tell you. That the answer to the problem is within our reach if we just sit down and think. And I’ve been making a list of people in your and Jake’s circle who would know about things, and then I—”

  “Melanie, honey, you’re rambling, and I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

  Her friend sighed into the receiver. “Right. Right. I need to slow down. Focus. Well, Damien, Tiana, Nathan, and I had a little sit-down with Jake. We wanted to help him pull his head out of his ass. To get him to see that you two were meant to be together, but he already knows.”

  Charlotte’s heart stuttered, and she stopped walking. “He knows? Knows what?”

  “He wants to marry you, Charlotte. He didn’t tell you this, and you have to promise to keep quiet, but the stalker sent another message. This time to Jake. He or she told him not to marry you. And then right after, Threx flexed their muscles for you and Jake to get married, and he freaked out, rightfully so.”

  A vise squeezed Charlotte’s lungs. She couldn’t breathe. All this time she’d thought Jake didn’t want her, when, in reality, he was protecting her and Bean. She sat on the bed.

  “Wow, okay. That changes things. Maybe I should come back.”

  “No, you shouldn’t. Call the local police to get them on board with this latest threat and then let Jake know before you do anything else.”

  “But I feel so helpless. I feel like we’re letting them win.”

  “I agree,” her friend quickly responded. “And if you don’t mind, I want to check a few things out. I won’t go full investigative mode, but I want to get a list of everyone, including family and your inner circle. I need a timeline of when you found out you were pregnant. Who you told and in what order. Figure out the dates you told them, if you can remember. And send me the number from the text message. It’s probably a fake number, but I’d like to check it out.”

  “How can a number be fake?”

  “You can use apps to create a fake number. But like I said, I want to check it out. I have a friend that can look into it.”

  Charlotte hopped from the bed and began pacing again. “I can do that. I’ll check my phone logs to verify the dates and I’ll have the list to you by tonight. We can’t tell Jake about the list thing. He’ll freak out if he knows I’m trying to go after the stalker.”

  “No. No, we can’t. I think if we can narrow it down to one or two people, maybe I can investigate them and—”

  “No, Melanie. You will not follow someone possibly dangerous around. If you do, I will pull the plug on this . . . this operation.” She stopped pacing and giggled.

  “Are you cracking up on me, Charlotte?” A hint of doubt tickled her friend’s voice. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this.”

  “No,” Charlotte said between another giggle fit. “Okay, maybe a little bit. But that’s not why I’m laughing. What’s the name?”

  “Name of what?”

  “The operation?” Her friend always had a name for something serious she was involved in. Like when Melanie had planned to capture Damien’s heart, it was Operation: I’m Gonna Make You Love Me. When Tiana moved from a toxic work environment in Atlanta, the name was Operation: Get the J-O-B in N-Y-C. Then, when Tiana realized her feelings for Nathan, the title was Operation: It’s Been You.

  “Okay, you got me. I’m in between either Operation: Hunt the Hunter or Operation: Get That Ever After.”


  Charlotte tapped her chin. “Hmmm . . . let’s go with Get That Ever After.”

  “Sounds good. Okay, I’ll look out for your list. Name the file ‘party guests’ just in case Damien gets suspicious. Same with the subject line for the email. Now,” she took a breath, “tell your folks, Jake, and call the police.”

  “Okay, got it. I’m not getting you in trouble, am I?”

  Melanie laughed. “No. Damien knew what he was getting into when he married me. I’ve been messaging Tiana on the computer. I’ve got her onboard, too.”

  “Really?” Charlotte was surprised that her more cautious friend would encourage the operation.

  “Yeah, she’s a mama bear when it comes to you. No one screws with our friends. You and Jake mean the world to us. “

  “Thank you, Mel. You mean the world to me, too. And thank you for doing this.”

  “Of course. Stay alert at all times. We don’t know what kind of resources the stalker has. Take your time with the list and try to be as accurate as possible with the timeline.

  “Will do.”

  “Charlie, lunch is ready!” Mama yelled from the door.

  “I gotta go. We’ll talk soon, right?”

  “Right. Take care, Charlotte. Love you, girl.”

  “I love you, too, my friend. Be safe.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Charlotte stared at her computer screen, as she had been for the past forty-five minutes. The cursor blinked on a blank excel sheet. She’d been so excited to take on the challenge of figuring out who could be the stalker. But now, a dull throb pulsed in her forehead and icicles wrapped themselves around her veins. She was frozen in fear.

  Fear and hurt and anguish. Not for herself, but for the baby. Baby Bean was a blank slate. No sins committed. But the stalker didn’t care. Charlotte had thought she was safer away from New York and without Jake, but she’d been wrong.

  And, if Melanie’s theory held true, someone she and Jake knew hated her so much that the psycho wanted to terrorize Charlotte’s life. And Bean’s.

  The mama bear within her roared and cracked the icy fortress that held her captive. With renewed purpose, she wracked her brain. First, the timeline. She flexed her fingers and reclined in her chair. “Think, Charlotte. When you found out you were pregnant, who did you tell?”