Chapter 6: Josie

Chapter Six

JOSIE

I ’m not sure how much I should admit to Mick, even if he has now had a hand in this mess. I can’t be sure that whoever he talked to is the same person that has been relentlessly stalking me. The messages I'm receiving are becoming increasingly unsettling.

“I don’t know,” I huff, leaning back in my chair. That’s the truth. I’ve been trying to figure out what to do, and I’m at a loss.

When Mick’s handsome face came onto the screen, I’d forgotten about everything else for a few fleeting moments. His hair is unruly, needing a cut. I’m sure it’s because his sister isn’t there to do it for him. She is a hairdresser, after all, but I actually like it this length.

I can tell he's been running his fingers through it, no doubt out of frustration. He’s pissed at himself. I should be pissed at him, too, but I can’t bring myself to be. Not when I have so many other emotions running through me right now.

The messy hair with the bruises on his eyes paired together gives him a badass I don’t give a fuck vibe. And I’m here for it. That is one thing I always loved about Mick. He doesn't give a shit what others think about him, unless you mean something to him.

“How awful could it be? They’ll just harass you for a bit, right? Or will it go further?” I open my mouth, but then I close it. I’m a shit liar. Especially when it comes to Mick. He will see right through me. It’s why I tend to step around topics, so that I don’t have to. “Fuck, Jojo. That’s a long pause.” Mick reaches up, running his fingers through his hair again. He even gives it a small tug. My mind wanders for a second, thinking about what it would feel like between my fingers. But I quickly get myself together, knowing he’s watching me.

“I’m not sure. There’s just been this one guy.”

“What guy?” Mick sits up straighter. I see a tic in his jaw.

"Obviously, I don’t know who he is, but he keeps messaging me. Today he mentioned the city I live in.” I feel like whoever it is, they are closing in on me. I’m not sure how he’s doing it. I even bounced my IP so that if I get hacked, you still can’t find me.

“What!” Mick is out of his chair so fast it flies back, hitting the wall. “Is your dad home?”

“I’ve been thinking about moving anyway.” I ignore his question. Ever since receiving the eviction notice, I've been contemplating it.

I could get caught up on back rent or put my money into something else altogether. Not that it matters much. A few weeks ago, we received notice that the building would undergo demolition within a few months. Not sure why. If I had to guess, I would assume that it is being condemned. I guess the landlord is evicting tenants to ensure he collects every last dollar before the property is gone.

“You and your dad or alone?”

“Alone.”

“Where?” Mick’s hands come down on the desk; he leans in, studying me hard.

“I haven't figured that out yet.”

“I’m coming there. This person can show up at any second, Josie! I'm sorry to say this, but I don't think anyone will find it difficult to deal with your dad.”

“You have no idea,” I mutter.

“The hell does that mean?”

“Nothing. Maybe I’ll go stay in a hotel.” I'm quick to sidestep the whole subject of my father. I wasn't going to add that on right now. Mick might explode at this rate if I do.

“You’re hiding something from me. Not to mention, I know you’ll go to some hole in the wall hotel that isn’t any safer.”

“Hey, I don’t need your judgment about my money issues.” Mick runs a hand down his face. “I can also take care of myself.”

“It’s not about that, and you know it." He throws his hands up. "I’m coming there.”

“No!” I shout. “You have a life there. A dream.” There is no way I’ll allow him to give that up for me.

“The dream is shit if something happens to you, Josie.” I’m not sure what that means. How do I play a part in his dreams? God knows he's in my dreams every night.

“I’ll be okay.” My response is weak, and we both know it. My shoulders drop as everything weighs down on me. It's all too much. I'm not sure how much more I can take before I crack.

Mick lets out a breath and grabs his chair, pulling it back to take a seat. He is making an effort to cool down for my benefit.

“Josie,” he begins again, his tone softer this time. “Now that I know you might be in danger, I’m not going to be able to concentrate on anything. I might as well come back there.”

I hate how whiny I sound when I say "No."

“I’m serious, Josie. I did this, or at least played a part in it. I’m going to fix it.”

“Please don’t do this. I won’t be able to live with myself if you walk away from what you have there,” I try to plead with him. I don’t ever want him to resent me.

I’m honestly not sure what I’m going to do. For the past few days, I’ve been on edge. I haven’t been sleeping for shit. Any time I hear the smallest sound, I jolt up from my bed, which is often in an old building like this one. I'm so freaking exhausted. It is showing at work, too. I messed up three orders today and had to pay for two of them myself for the mistake.

"Jojo."

"Don't Jojo me," I huff.

"Come here."

"What?" Did he really suggest that?

"Come here," he repeats.

"What do you mean, come there?"

"To Vegas. I'll know you're safe here, and you'll be away from this psycho."

"I can't just come there." Could I? I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. I mean there really is nothing holding me here.

"You come here or I go there." I know he's serious.

"I don't know." Mick notices my resolve is fading because he pounces.

"I'll book the ticket and send a car for you." He starts clicking away on his computer.

"Wait."

"No." The one word comes out with a finality I have never heard from him before. It brokers no argument.

I'm not sure if I'm too exhausted to fight him or that deep down I really just want to go even though I shouldn’t.

Either way, that's how Mick has me on a plane to Vegas only hours later.