If You Tell Me to Stay, I Will Stay Right Through

I lay in bed the next morning replaying the kiss with Matt in my head, a wide grin that almost made my cheeks hurt spread over my face.

I had to remind myself that nothing could really happen between us right now. If it did, where would that put me? It would be awkward for my boyfriend to pay me to be his housekeeper. I would have to get another job.

I let out a loud groan. Okay, I was getting ahead of myself. I needed to take this day by day.

He had given me today off since tomorrow was my first day of school. We argued for a while about it,
after all I only had two classes tomorrow, but he insisted that I relax and “clear my head.” He surely hadn’t considered that when he kissed me because that was definitely clouding my mind right now.

Suddenly my door swung open, interrupting my deep thinking. I was starting to get used to people not knocking in this place but every now and then I would still jump.

I was surprised to see Brian nonchalantly walking into my room. He plopped down at the end of my bed without saying anything and just stared at the ceiling.

I quietly waited for him to say something.

“Hi,” he said putting his arms behind his head.

“Hi,” I replied with a grin. He was so weird sometimes.

“What are you doing today?”

“Umm nothing that I know of,” I eyed him curiously wondering what he was getting at.

“Wanna go surfing?” He asked with a sigh.

“Was I your last resort?” I asked laughing. The other guys must have turned him down.

“Nope. I just figured we could hang? Be friends and shit,” He shrugged.

“Okay, but I don’t know how to surf,” I explained.

“So? If you don’t want to we can do something else,” he offered as pulled his phone out, which was vibrating loudly.

“WHAT?” he asked into the phone, holding it up to his ear. “I’m with Natalie, where are YOU? No.
Why? Get over it. No you can’t come with us. Too bad. You hung out with her yesterday. Do you think I give two fucks that she has school tomorrow? Are you her dad now? NO YOU CAN’T COME WITH US,” Brian let out a loud dramatic groan. “Leave us alone Matt! Bye!”

“What was that about?” I asked curiously.

“Matt, you’re boss or boyfriend or whatever, just got out of an interview and wanted to hang out with us but I said no because he didn’t invite me to the pier yesterday,” Brian grinned. I rolled my eyes and laughed.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“No, you’re ridiculous. So what do you wanna do?” He asked turning over on his stomach and propping up his elbows.

“I don’t mind surfing. Or trying to learn,” I shrugged. His grin intensified.

“Really?? Let’s go then! Get ready!” He sat up excitedly. I laughed and hurried in to the bathroom to get ready.

I threw my hair in a bun and brushed my teeth. “Don’t worry about what you’re wearing! We have to go buy you proper surf attire!” he yelled through the door.

I slipped on a bikini with a t-shirt over it and some shorts and hurried out.

“I’m ready,” I announced.

“Woohoo! Let’s go!” He linked his arm through mine and started whooping and hollering obnoxiously.

I laughed loudly and joined him.

We abruptly stopped at the end of the stairs when we came face to face with Matt. His arms were crossed over his chest and his jaw was tense.

“Where are you two going?” he asked lowly.

“Umm to surf? Is there a problem?” Brian asked, his voice coming out deeper than usual. What was up with these two?

Matt gave me a glare before stalking off to the kitchen.

“What’s wrong with him?” I asked Brian.

“He’s obviously jealous. Can’t you tell? He wants you all to himself,” he said with a wink. That couldn’t be it, I thought worriedly.

“Should I go talk to him?” I glanced up at Brian.

He shrugged, “Go ahead, I’ll wait outside.”

I sighed and walked to the kitchen. I found Matt sitting at the table in deep thought.

“You okay?” I asked softly.

“Yeah, sorry I just…I don’t know,” He let out a small laugh. “I think I got jealous. No, I KNOW I got jealous. Which is stupid because that’s one of my best friends. I just want you to myself and that’s selfish because I’m not even divorced. When Brian said I couldn’t hang out with you guys I got fucking jealous.”

“I mean, Brian and I are just hanging out as friends,” I explained.

“No I know that, but I couldn’t help but get jealous. It’s stupid, I know,” he said putting his head in his hands. “It’s just that after what happened yesterday, I can’t help but want to be with you more. I haven’t had that feeling in a very long time Natalie. It’s kind of scary.”

My heart melted at his words. I hugged him from behind and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“You have nothing to be jealous of. Those feelings you felt yesterday….I felt them too,” I admitted.

His head shot up to look at me.

“Really?” his eyes widening.

I nodded with a smile, “Yes, really.”

“Is this normal? We’ve only known each other for about a week! Does this shit happen?” he asked me.

I shrugged, “I honestly don’t know, I was asking myself that same question all morning.”

“I submitted the divorce papers,” he said with a small smile.

I nodded, “If you’re sure that’s what you want, then I’m behind you. We should still take things slow, you know? If we intend to further whatever we have going on, we should take it slow. Just in case. Like you said, it’s only been a week.”

“I agree,” He sighed and put his head in his hands again.

“What is it?”

“Can I PLEASE come with you and Brian?!” He practically whined.

I laughed loudly, “You can’t. Brian wants to hang out and get to know each other or whatever.”

“Why? I can be there too,” He stood suddenly. I gave him a look. Rolling his eyes he said, “Fine. I won’t go then.”

“I’ll be back soon okay?”

He nodded, “Tell fuck face to bring you home early.”

I laughed, “See you later,” I said over my shoulder, heading outside to Brian.

As soon as I walked out of the door, “Fucking finally!!! What?? Did ya’ll have makeup sex or something??” Brian yelled from his truck that had surf boards sticking out of the back.

My face reddened, “Shut up Brian. Wait, did you just say ‘ya’ll’?” I asked as I got into his truck.

“What? No!”

“Yes you did I heard you! Are you trying to be like me?” I teased.

“I’m Syn Gates, why would I wanna be anyone else?” he asked punching my arm.

We arrived at some surf shop and headed in.

I got to pick out absolutely nothing. Brian took it upon himself to pick everything out for me. He picked out three wetsuits and headed to the counter.

“I’ll pay for them Brian,” I said walking up behind him.

“Shhh! It’s a gift,” he smiled.

I shook my head, “I can pay for them really!”

“Nope! Don’t listen to her,” he told the cashier.

“Let your boyfriend pay,” the man said with a wink.

“EW!!!” We both yelled at the same time.

My jaw dropped, “What do you mean ‘EW’??”

“What do YOU mean ‘EW’??” he shot back. “Nah man she’s dating my best friend.” He informed the cashier. “You know how many girls would die to have Synyster Gates and boyfriend in the same sentence?” he asked turning to me.

“Oh like, ‘Synyster Gates has a boyfriend?’” I asked innocently.

He glared, “Okay, I worded that wrong. You know that’s not what I mean.”

I grinned as we walked out, “Does this ruin my chances of learning how to surf?”

“Maybe. Change in the truck,” He ordered. I climbed in as he stood outside making sure no one saw me.

I struggled in the back seat but finally managed to pull it on. “Okay!”

He opened the door, “Nice. You look like you surf.”

I rolled my eyes as he jumped in to change too. I leaned my back against the door and watched as people walked towards the beach with their surfboards. My eyes scanned the area taking it all in. My eyes stopped when I noticed a man standing across the parking lot staring at me intently. I immediately took in his appearance, which was a natural instinct.

He was tall and lean. He wore a black leather jacket and I could see tattoos peeking out around his neck. He looked about 25-30 years old.

He didn’t bother looking away when he noticed I had seen him, which sent a chill through my body.

He looked oddly familiar but I couldn’t find the connection in my head.

He placed his hand up to his head as if it was a gun and pretended to pull the trigger. His lips broke out into a large malicious grin before turning his back to me and walking away. He walked as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Confidence. He was sure of himself.

My heart thumped wildly and my stomach felt like it turned upside down.

“What the fuck was that about?” Brian muttered, I jumped up holding my hand to my chest. I hadn’t even noticed him get out of the truck. “Natalie? I asked you a question. Do you know that guy?”

I shook my head, “No I don’t. I have no idea, he was probably just trying to scare me.”

I could feel Brian’s eyes dig holes through my head, “Hm. He looked like he meant business. Should we go home?”

“Nah, if he was going to do something he would’ve done it already.”

“Then we should call Matt, just in case,” He said pulling his phone out.

“No no no!! It’s okay Brian. That guy was just trying to scare me,” my words tumbled out. Even I didn’t believe them.

“Listen, Matt needs to know okay? Maybe that guy was just trying to scare you, but it wouldn’t hurt for him to know okay?” He said grabbing my shoulders and turning me to face him.

I sighed, my breath coming out shaky. “Alright,” I nodded.

I heard Matt’s deep growl on the other end as Brian quickly explained what happened. “I already asked if she wants to go home and she said no. I know. DUDE, I know. Alright. See you soon.”

Brian turned to me, “Matt wants you home.” I rolled my eyes. “It’s probably best, we can come back during the week when it’s less crowded.”

I glanced at the crowd, it was pretty crowded and I couldn’t afford to be stubborn. That is what had gotten me into trouble in this first place, “Fine.” I agreed.

He nodded and opened the door for me before running to the other side and getting behind the wheel. We drove home in silence. I felt bad. He seemed nervous and it was totally understandable. It had scared me too, but above all, it had ignited a fierce curiosity. A well-known, old, familiar feeling of wanting an answer.

“Dude, that shit was creepy. He fucking put a “gun,” Brian motioned quotes with his fingers, “to his head and pretended to pull the trigger! Who the fuck does that?”

“Did you recognize him at all?” Zacky asked squeezing my shoulder. We were sitting in the living room as Brian recounted the story.

I shook my head, “It’s weird. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere but can’t place the connection.”

“Maybe it’s someone you arrested in the past,” Johnny suggested. Could be, but what were the odds?

“Maybe,” I shrugged.

Matt sighed heavily, his eyes dropped down at the sides, “Now I’m going to be worried about you when you’re at school.”

“Don’t be. I’m sure it’s nothing. We’re probably just overthinking things,” I assured him.

“Nat, how can we overthink this? This guy pretty much threatened you,” Jimmy stated. This was probably the most serious I had seen him since we met.

“What if one of us takes you to school tomorrow?” Zacky asked.

“Um no. That’s like not cool at all,” I scrunched my face.

“I don’t care, one of us is taking you,” Brian stated.

“And then what? I’m gonna be dropped off and picked up every day like I’m in kindergarten?” I asked looking around at them.

They all shrugged and nodded.

“No. Absolutely not. End of conversation,” I stood up. “Thanks but no thanks.”

“Stop being stubborn Nat,” Zacky rolled his eyes.

“Ugh, I’m gonna go shower,” I said walking out of the living room, catching a glimpse of Matt glaring at me.

They didn’t seriously think I was going to agree to that right? It was insane. I wasn’t used to people hovering over me like that.

I appreciated it so much, but it wasn’t my style to let myself be babied like that. They were right though, it was a possibility that I was in danger. There was also a huge possibility that I wasn’t.

I sighed as I stripped down and prepared a bubble bath. That’s when I did my best thinking, when I was sitting in nice tub filled with hot water and relaxing lavender scents.

I stepped in and laid back. Okay Natalie, time to think. If anyone was after you who would it be? I mentally checked off some possibilities. Maybe I could call Chief and ask him for his opinion, he was always so wise and insightful.

Closing my eyes, I pictured the last people I had arrested or aided in arresting.

“Bubble baths are supposed to be for relaxation not for stressing out more,” His raspy voice interrupted my thoughts. My eyes remained closed, trying to ignore him.

I felt him take a seat at the edge of the tub.

“Nice tattoo.” My eyes shot open, looking down to make sure I was covered. I glared at him when I realized everything below my shoulders was covered. “Ha! So you do have one? Where?”

“Take a wild guess,” I muttered. He was trying to distract me from being mad. Why was I mad again?
Oh yeah, they wanted to treat me like a child.

“Down…somewhere? I mean I didn’t see any when you were in a bikini soooo?”

“Yep.” I had spontaneously decided to get a tattoo in my bikini area.

“How many people have seen that?” He asked overly curious.

I rolled my eyes. “My tattoo artist. It’s recent.”

“How recent?”

I didn’t respond, instead I closed my eyes again.

“Natalie,” he said softly. “Come on, talk to me. I just want to help. You need us. You need me. You don’t know anyone else in California. Do you?”

He had a point. They were my only friends here. The only people I knew.

“I don’t want to be a burden Matt,” I responded, despite my thoughts.

“WE offered though. You get that right?” He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

“How about this? When I get verification that I am, in fact, in any kind of danger…I’ll let you do what
you want,” I offered.

“So until something scary enough happens?” He snapped at me.

“Nooo. I’m going to talk to my Chief and see what he thinks okay? Until then, you guys are not dropping me off at school or any ridiculous thing like that. Got it?” I snapped back. “I do appreciate you guys caring. It means a lot, I’m sorry for snapping,” I said a little more softly.

He nodded, “No, I get it. We come off a little strong. I’ll respect your wishes. We won’t drop you off at school,” He said with an odd smile. I cocked an eyebrow.

“What’s with the smile?”

“I can’t smile?” he asked, his smile widening.

“We’re not having that conversation again,” I said grinning.

“Yes, Officer,” He winked and stood up. “I’ll let you relax. I’m gonna play some video games with the guys downstairs.”

I nodded. He leaned down and kissed my forehead.

I couldn’t help but check him out as he walked out, “Stop checking me out,” he said over his shoulder. I blushed furiously.

“I wasn’t,” I lied.

He let out a loud laugh as I heard my bedroom door close.

Suddenly, it came to me. It came to me like a slap in the face. I quickly grabbed my phone from the edge of the tub and dialed a familiar number.

“Hey Chief, it’s Bauer…remember the incident from two years ago?” I asked getting straight to the point.

“How could I forget?” I heard him say solemnly.

“Yeah…I think he’s back.” I breathed out.