Golden Hour

Chapter 20

Emily met me as soon as I stumbled through the front door. "Thank goodness you're all right! If not, I'd have my boxer pals beat his ass until he let you go."

"I've never been so angry and weirded out over absolutely nothing," I admitted, still shaking on the inside.

"It wasn't nothing!"

"Well, Thomas didn't exactly threaten me."

"Didn't exactly--?" She scrunched her lips. "Girl, The Leech camped out at the train station waiting for you. Why didn't your dumb ass call the cops?"

"And say what exactly?"

"Uh, hello?" She made a hand motion of talking on the phone. "My crazy-ass ex decided to stalk me at the train station. Can someone escort him the hell outta here, please?" 

"I would have done had he refused to stop."

Her lips vibrated like a chuffing horse. 

"Classy," I said.

"All I know is: This weekend we're getting your shit outta there," she said, "before this COVID crap gets so outta control that we're all wearing freaking World War One gas masks."

"Are you my mummy?" I said in a creepy sing-song cadence, quoting the so-called Empty Child who wore such a mask in Doctor Who. 

"Dude, do not even joke right now." Emily shuddered. "That freaking episode still gives me the willies."

I cackled. 

"And don't deflect." She took out her phone. "I'm gonna ask my pals to help you this weekend."

"Is it safe for them?"

"Safer than you being chased by your ex at the train station," she retorted before quick-dialing her friends. "Hey, Ink. Yeah, it's Em. Can you and Jaws help a girl out this weekend?"

"Jaws?" I whispered, incredulous.

Emily waved a dismissive hand. "Yeah, my bestie is having trouble with her ex and needs to move her shit out pronto." She paused. "Yeah, he's a real lazy prick. Won't help, of course." 

My cheeks reddened.

"Thanks, babe." She blew a fake kiss into the phone. "Luv ya." She laughed. "I know, I know. Give my love to the boys." She hung up. "There now. We'll get your crap soon."

"They won't cause trouble, will they?" I asked warily.

"Not unless The Leech does first."

I exhaled a shaky breath. "What if he does?"

"Let's just say my pals won't let him touch you." 

"I don't want any drama."

"Neither do they," said Emily. "They're as tall as Neil and almost twice as big."

"My ex wouldn't be that stupid."

"Exactly."

I gave my best friend a hug. "Thanks, Em."

"Anytime."

After slouching in my office chair, I checked my phone. Four notifications. Texts from Neil. The only thing that could have made me smile today. 

Recently we'd decided to text each other during my evening commute, but this time I was a bit too distracted. Besides I didn't want to worry him unnecessarily. 

Neil: Hiya

Neil: Hope you've had a better afternoon. 

Neil: Looking forward to our game tonight. 😊