Page 62 of Use Me

“What do you think? I’m going to shoot you then leave like I’d planned.”

“Then do it!”

I heard a loud pop, and then a bullet appeared in the center of his forehead. It wasn’t Corey, but Ashtyn’s attacker, Philip.

I woke with a start, my pulse racing. When I realized that I was home and in my bed with Ashtyn, I laid back down and stared up at the dark ceiling. I expected Ashtyn to be the one who wasn’t able to sleep through the night, but as it was right now, I was the one dreaming of crazy shit. My past and present had collided in a weird dream that never happened, and I didn’t like dreaming about either one of them.

I’m not sure how long I laid there, staring up into nothing, but when Ashtyn stirred next to me, the sun was starting to come up.

“Morning, Cupcake.” I rolled over and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear.

“Is it?”

I smiled. “Yeah, but it hasn’t been for long. Want some coffee?” She nodded, and I got out of bed, the cold wood floor sending a chill through my body that started at my bare feet. “I need a place with a fireplace.”

“Turn the heater on.”

“Oh, I am,” I called out as I walked down the hall and stopped at the thermostat. After I turned the heat up, I continued to the kitchen and made two cups of coffee, then returned to the bedroom. “You still want to go to Garfield Park today?”

“No. Not really.” Ashtyn sat up and took a mug from me. “I just want to lay here all day and do nothing.”

I sat next to her. “Can’t. Detectives will probably be here soon.” She groaned. “And I think you should get some fresh air today.”

“It’s probably snowing.”

“Yes, but I’m sure the conservatory has heat.” I took a sip of the coffee.

“I really don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t even want to go back to my place if that’s okay?”

“I don’t want you to go back to your place either, but we should at least walk somewhere for lunch. I want to make sure you get fresh air like the paramedic advised.” I knew she needed fresh air, but I wanted her to get out of the apartment to clear her head a little. I needed to clear my head as well.

She was silent for a few moments. “Okay, but only because we need to eat.”

Ashtyn’s phone started to blow up right at eight o’clock.

Word had gotten back to her parents, and also to her friends. While she reassured everyone that we were okay, I focused on getting caught up on the hockey world. It felt good to get my mind off of the previous night, though what I wanted to remember was the Emmys and not the horrific after party. Maybe my tux wasn’t good luck after all? My friends had no idea what had happened, and all their messages on Facebook were about the Emmy I was holding in the picture I’d posted while we were still at the hotel.

After two hours of non-stop calls, two detectives showed up. Ashtyn and I each gave our statements separately. After, we sat on my couch, and the detectives sat in chairs at the two ends of my coffee table, they informed us of what they knew so far about Philip and his motive.

“Your father spoke to Captain Gordon. He wants us to put an undercover outside your place for a few weeks.”

“Is that necessary? Philip’s dead, right?” Ashtyn asked.

“Yes, he’s dead, but your father is worried about you.”

Ashtyn nodded.

“If I have to, I’ll take her to work every day and pick her up,” I offered. “Plus, I’ll be with her at night. She won’t be alone.”

“While that probably won’t be plausible given your work schedule, Mr. Cole, I also don’t think it’s necessary,” Detective Cooper said.

“Okay, but I’d make it happen.” I rubbed Ashtyn’s knee. “I don’t want you to be scared.”

“I might have another stalker,” she confessed.

“What?” I asked, raising my voice a little in surprise.

Ashtyn sighed. “Someone sends me roses at work every Monday.”