Page 40 of Tusk & Puck
Melody looks directly into my eyes as if she knows damn well this is my fault. And hell, it probably is. I just had to go and blab to Verog, didn’t I? Not that I think he’s spreading the news all over town. But who knows if any prying ears were listening in to our conversation.
“You think this is because we’ve been going out together?” I ask. Glass slides off of the dustpan and into the trash can, shattering more as it hits the bottom.
“Why else would it happen? Whoever’s been stalking me hasn’t seemed violent before now. Like, yes he’s been creepy and invasive, but I really thought it was just someone who was really shy. This… Jaromir, I’m scared. And I don’t know what to do. Where did I go wrong? What did I mess up?”
Her hands are trembling. She seems pretty shaken up, and I’m unsure if she’ll even make it through the whole workday. Part of me wants to tell her it was all me. She didn’t do anything wrong, I’m the one who went and blabbed behind her back. But then, how could she forgive me?
Maybe I’m still selfish, but I don’t want Melody to be upset with me. Besides, she needs me right now. I couldn’t take away the trust she has in me when she doesn’t have anyone else to lean on like this.
I don’t think Verog is her stalker. That just doesn’t seem like him. Not to mention, I know his type. And Melody isn’t it. That was pretty convenient for two teenage boys both barking after girls back in the day. Zero competition from the other. Not to mention, I would’ve caught on to any resentment from him all these times we spoke about her. Maybe it wasn’t even my fault, anyway.
“If this is your stalker, and he’s mad at us being together, then he’s a true coward. He should come at me if he wants a fight. Intimidating you is something only a pathetic nobody would stoop to.”
Melody wipes at her cheek and nods. “Thank you, Jaromir,” she says with a small smile.
It only takes about twenty or so minutes to finish cleaning the place up. Just in time for the school day to start, thank goodness. No one with a bruised knee or upset stomach will have to wait in the hall.
Melody picks up the mop bucket I used to store the spider plant and frowns. “Well, that’s really unfortunate. I somehow managed to keep this alive for three whole school years.”
I take the bucket from Melody and give her an encouraging smile. “I’ll take care of it.” And I do. I go to Mr. Fellows’s office and explain the situation, leaving out the juicy love triangle bit. He’s more than happy to help and gives me a new container and soil for the poor plant.
“Oh my God, Jaromir, thank you!”Melody is so overjoyed that she gives me a strong hug at the sight of it.
I try to return her embrace, but she seemingly comes to her senses and disengages before I can. I don’t let it wound my ego much, but she obviously doesn’t feel safe showing our affection here yet. Plus, the door is still open.
“Let me know if you need anything else,” I say, picking up a stray bandage from behind the water cooler and throwing it out. What a waste of medical supplies.
“I will. Thank you again, Jaromir.”
I leave her to her work and ready myself for a long day of coaching.
* * *
“The entire office was just fucked,”I say, seething. “Who does that? Who pretends to like someone like that, and then lashes out when things don’t go their way? It’s disgusting.”
Verog leans back in his chair and shakes his head. “There’s some messed up guys out there. How long has she been dealing with this stalker, anyway?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Long enough that she let her guard down, I guess. Are you sure you didn’t tell anyone else?”
“I’m sure.” Verog crosses his arms, ending that line of interrogation. “Based on your track record, I’d be asking if you were the one who told the stalker without realizing it. Have you gotten blackout drunk lately? Have you checked your socials to make sure you didn’t livestream it all over the internet?”
I frown at my friend. He’s always been the tough-love kind of guy, but this seems a little harsh. Even for him.
“No. I haven’t.”
Verog seems satisfied with that tone. “Well, I don’t know what to tell you. The walls in this school are paper thin. Someone could be listening to us right now. And if a guy is obsessed enough, he might have even tailed her and watched your date himself. Who knows? What matters is how Melody wants this handled.”
“I sure know how I want to handle this,” I say, punching my left hand with my right.
“Vigilante justice may not be a good look for you right now,” Verog reminds me. “But I’m also right there with you.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I retrieve it, expecting another angry update from the team manager. Instead, it’s a text from Melody.
Can you come over tonight?it reads. Then another buzz.Discreetly. And another.Climb up the side of the house by the large tree. Don’t wake the kids.
My smile must give me away because Verog rolls his eyes and chuckles.
“Passing love notes in class?” he asks. “Tsk tsk.”