Coming Back Home

Chapter 32

Natalie walked out and I made sure to immediately lock the door behind her.

I grabbed my phone and found my Mom's contact and pushed the button to call her. I had an uneasy feeling about Kyle showing up for a number of reasons, but I had to confirm something with her before I panicked too much.

"Hey honey," my mom answered.

"Hey mom," I said, "I just had a quick question for you."

"Sure, whatchya got?"

"You remember Kyle, my ex boyfriend?" I asked.

"Yes, I do."

"He didn't stop by the house and ask about me recently or anything, did he? Like ask for my address or where I worked, anything like that?"

"No, I haven't seen him at all lately. I thought he lived near you before you moved back here, is he in the Chicago area now?" She responded.

"Well he stopped by my place today so I guess so," I told her.

She didn't really know what had gone on between us, but I'm sure she understood that I didn't really care to see my ex either way.

"Huh, I wonder why," she responded.

"He wanted to talk to me but um, I was just curious if you'd seen him at all."

"Alright, well I haven't but I'll let you know if I do," she said.

"Thanks Mom, I'll talk to you soon."

"Bye hun."

Well that answered my question, Kyle had somehow figured out exactly where I lived, and I wasn't sure if I really wanted to know how. I paced back and forth in my living room, wondering what other information he'd manage to find out.

Maybe I was overreacting, maybe he really did just want to talk and try and win me back. It wasn't going to happen, but it would make me feel better if that's all he wanted.

"That's probably all he wants, it's fine," I said out loud to myself.

Maybe if I said it enough I could convince myself it was true.

A soft knock at my door made me jump. I put my hand on my chest and took a deep breath when I heard Natalie's voice on the other side.

"Hey Mads, it's me."

I walked over and opened the door and Natalie walked in with a bag over her shoulder. I quickly looked both ways down the hallway before shutting it behind her.

I turned to face Natalie as she set her bag down on the floor. She came over to me and put her arm around my back and gently rubbed it as she pulled me closer.

"I'm sure he's harmless, right?" She said.

I wasn't sure if she was saying that to make me feel better, or if she was genuinely wondering.

"I think so," I said hesitantly, "but I still don't feel good about it."

"I know," she responded, "I don't blame you."

"I don't even know how he found out where I live," I said.

"Okay that is a little creepy," Natalie admitted.

I gave her a look out of the corner of my eye and she winced.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that," she said.

"Yeah you should probably keep your mouth shut now," I teased her.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I will," she grinned, "do you still want to order something for dinner or just make something here?"

"I have a pizza in the freezer, let's just make that," I told her.

She nodded and walked over to turn the oven on as I grabbed the pizza.

Once the pizza was done, Natalie grabbed a couple of plates and napkins.

"Let's go eat in your room and watch a movie?" She said questioningly.

"Sounds perfect," I said, eager to keep my mind off of things.

Natalie handed me a plate and we each took a few slices before going back to my bedroom.

"Don't you dare get any pizza on my bed," I said to her as we settled in.

"No promises," she said as she looked over at me.

I shook my head at her and turned my attention to the TV, trying to find a good movie to watch. Honestly anything to keep my mind off of Kyle was fine by me.

We chose a comedy, trying to keep the mood as light as possible.

Once we were done eating, Natalie took our plates and put them away before she crawled back into bed next to me.

She pulled the covers up over top of us and put her arm around my shoulders. I leaned my head against her warm body and felt extremely thankful that she had offered to stay.

I could barely keep my eyes open for the remainder of the movie, and once it was done I was definitely ready to sleep.

Natalie and I both settled down under the covers facing each other, and I could see her slight grin in the dark.

"What?" I asked her.

"All things considered, it was a fun night," she said, "just thinking about that I guess."

"Yeah you're right," I responded, reaching over and resting my hand on her waist, "but I'm exhausted now."

Natalie nodded in agreement and she leaned in to kiss me.

"Night Mads," she said.

"Night," I said back as I moved in closer.

I settled my body against hers and thought I would fall right to sleep, but I wasn't that lucky.

As much as I tried not to let it, my mind went back to Kyle. I hated that I was letting him worry me this much, but I couldn't help it.

When I moved I thought that I wouldn't have to deal with him again, and now here we were.

"Hey," Natalie's quiet voice cut through my thoughts.

"Yeah?" I said back.

"I can practically hear your worrying keeping you awake," she said.

"I know, I can't help it," I sighed.

"It'll be fine," she said as she rubbed her hand along my shoulder, "I'm sure he'll leave you alone."

"You don't know that Natalie," I said as I pulled back from her and leaned up on my elbow, "you don't know him."

I knew she was just trying to make me feel better, but I was getting frustrated.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," she quickly said, "I just don't want you to worry so much."

"I know," I said as I flopped my head back down on the pillow, "sorry I'm just - I don't know."

"You really don't have to keep apologizing, I know this is stressing you out a lot, it's okay," she responded.

"He's part of the reason I moved," I said quietly, looking up at the ceiling.

I still didn't want to tell Natalie everything, but I did want her to understand why I was so freaked out about him being back.

"Oh, I thought it was for the job?" Natalie asked.

"It was," I said, "well partially...I only started looking for another job because I wanted to get away from him."

"Shit," Natalie responded quietly.

"Yeah..." I trailed off, "but you know, you're right, I'm sure it's going to be fine, I'll just keep telling him I don't want anything to do with him if he shows up again."

I wasn't sure that I actually believed that, but I was trying.

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