The Impostor, A Love Story (39 page)

“You are the one who is amazing.” He kissed
the top of my head. Then he gently lifted my chin so our eyes would
meet again. I couldn’t help it, my head drifted towards his as if
under his spell again. His lips looked so delicious.

The phone rang, interrupting us. I realized I
was about to kiss him and bit my lip, lowering my glance, stunned
by my persistent attraction. I stared back into his eyes as it rang
again, our heads again drifting toward each other, ignoring the
disturbance.

Then Bradley stopped, “I better answer it. It
might be the police.” He ran to the phone.

“Oh, . . .hello.” He took a breath in. “Uh,
yeah, she has been waiting for your call, hold on.”

Brad called out, “Nicole . . . Nicole, it’s
Dylan.” Shocked, I wrapped myself in my blanket again and ran to
the phone. Brad handed me the phone without making eye contact. I
watched him quietly retreated to his room.

“Dylan?” I took a deep breath in.
Could he
tell from my voice that I had almost kissed his best
friend
?

“I’ve missed you so much. What’s going on?
Why are you staying at Brad’s house? I’ve been calling Steve’s
house and it just rings and rings. I called the bar, but the stupid
waitress kept putting me on hold and would forget to get Brad. I’ve
been going crazy. I’ve called Brad’s cell but keep getting the
stupid machine.”

“I didn’t know how to get in touch with you.
It’s so good to hear your voice.”

“Are you okay? I was worried sick.”

“It’s been a little scary, but I’m okay.”

“I’ve been going crazy. The last time I
talked to Brad, he said you hadn’t been able to go into work. Chris
is on contract, so I couldn’t contact him. I realized I don’t have
your family’s number. Oh my god, it’s so good to hear your
voice.”

How was I going to tell him? The man he told
me not to move in with was a murderer. How was I going to inform
him that I lost all of his money? How was I going to reveal to him
that I had been in Bradley’s arms? How was I going to explain to
him . . . I liked it?

“Dylan,” I began.

“Yes, baby. It’s almost Christmas. I can’t
wait to see you. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms. How is
Jessica? How’s my little princess. Can I talk to her?”

“She went back home with Emily. Things were a
little weird up here, and I wanted her to be safe. But he’s in
prison now. I’m okay.”

“Yeah, Chris told me they caught that guy,
Chuck, from the bar. What happened? Did he do anything to you?”

“It wasn’t Chuck.”

“What happened, Nicole? Was it that guy
Steve? What happened?”

“You were right, Dylan. I’m so sorry I didn’t
listen to you. Steve is wanted for murder, so Brad has let me hide
out here. It turns out Steve has been stalking me. I sent Jess home
with Emily to be safe.”

“I knew it. I hated you staying there with
him! I’m going to kill that weasel. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I was able to get out of there. It has
been scary, though. Brad has really helped a lot. I wish you were
here. I would feel so much safer if you were here.”

“I’ll be there in a few days. Oh my god,
baby. I’m so sorry. I’m going to kill him. I’ve been so worried
about you. Jess is okay?”

“Yeah, she is safe with my parents.”

“So Jess won’t be there? Nicole, it’s
Christmas. You need to be with your angel. We need to get you home
so you are away from that psycho anyway.”

“I lost my driver’s license in his house. I
can’t fly home without my ID.”

“I’ll fly you there. I can borrow Chris’s
plane or I’ll rent one. I’ll make sure you get home to see your
family.”

“Thank you, Dylan. Thank you so much.”

“I wanted to take you to Venice, but the
truth is it wouldn’t be Christmas without Jessica. I’ve never been
to the East Coast. It will be fun.”

“Dylan, I’m so sorry. Steve has the money you
gave me. I wasn’t able to get it back. I had to get out of the
house once I found out how dangerous he was. I am so sorry. I’ll
find a way to pay you back.”

“Nicole, that money was to keep you safe. You
are safe, right? That is what is important.”

“I can’t believe how wonderful you are.
Dylan, I’ll get a hotel room for the next few days till you get
here. Steve’s locked up so I should be safe.”

“Why would you do that?”

“I want to give Bradley his space.” The truth
was I didn’t want to leave but thought maybe I should. Bradley and
I were getting pretty close. I wouldn’t want Dylan to feel for a
girl the way I was starting to feel for Bradley.

“You better not go anywhere. Brad is like a
brother. He won’t let anything happen to you. Promise me you will
stay. Let me talk to Brad.”

“Brad,” I called out. “He wants to talk to
you.”

Brad came to the phone.

“Hey Dylan, what’s up? What do you need? She
is welcome to stay here as long as she likes.” Brad nodded. “I have
been trying to keep her safe. Great, we will see you then.” Brad
handed the phone back to me.

“Brad said it was fine. Will you promise to
forget this idea of staying by yourself? You have to stay safe. I
almost died these last few weeks worrying about you. At least if
you are with Brad, I know you are in good hands. Promise you will
stay with Brad?”

“I promise.”

“I’ll see soon, baby.”

I hung up the phone.

“Nicole, that was a stupid idea—get a hotel
room?”

“I’m a little worried something will happen
to you because of me. What if he comes here, Bradley? What if he
comes here and does something to you?”

“First of all, he’s locked up so we don’t
have to worry about that. But secondly, if you were out there alone
after all that has happened, I’d worry about you too much. It’s
better you are here so I can keep an eye on you.”

“My patron saint of protection.” I smiled
looking up at him.

“Can’t say I am a saint, but I will not let
anything happen to you.”

“You are such a good friend. Dylan’s lucky to
have you.”

“I’m not doing this for Dylan. I’m doing it
because . . .”

Brad took my hands in his and looked into my
eyes. I hated how beautiful they were. I bit my lip.

“Bradley…” I couldn’t deny the attraction
between us, but nothing could ever come of it.

“I’m doing it because . . .” He let out a big
grin. “I’m doing it because of that red thing.” He shook his head
and smiled. “That is sexy as hell!”

“Shut up, Bradley.” I teasingly smacked him.
“You are so bad!” I paused for a moment. “Bradley, I’m not sure
what almost happened, but . . .”

“Yeah, I think it’s best for both of us that
you don’t ever wear that again in front of me. While you are here
with me, you will sleep in a baggie t-shirt and sweat pants
instead. And maybe we should put a bag over your head just to be
safe. Trust me, it will be safer for you.” He smiled.

The tips that night were amazing. By eleven,
I had made more than I do most nights. But I couldn’t help
yawning.

“Brad, can I head home? I’m really tired. I
haven’t been sleeping well.”

“Do you want me to see if Pete can close up
again tonight?”

“I will be fine. Steve’s in jail. He can’t
hurt me from there. Can you hurry home though? I feel safer when
you are there.”

“Let me just take you home. It isn’t a big
deal. Pete knows what to do.”

“No, Bradley. I’m a big girl. I will be fine.
I don’t want you to get fired because I’m a little scared. I’ve got
my car out back.”

“I won’t get fired Nikki…Okay, if you’re
sure. I’ll rush home once I close up. Here,” he reached under the
counter, “take this.” He handed me a pocketknife. “I don’t think
you will need it, but take it anyway.”

“Bradley, I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” I
grabbed the knife. “You know I won’t be able to use this, don’t
you?”

“Just take it. It will make me feel better.
Call me when you get home. Remember, you only have one headlight
working. Be careful, Nicole.”

“I will. I’ll call you right when I get
home.”

“And don’t forget the baggy t-shirt and sweat
pants.” He smiled.

“Yes, I’ll pick out the ugliest thing I own
just for you.”

“Okay, as long as we agree on that.”

Turning onto the highway, I noticed the same
set of headlights in my rearview mirror. They had been following me
in the distance for a while. My stomach knotted.
I’ll be fine.
He’s in jail
. But the steady glare of light behind me haunted
me on this otherwise-vacant road.

Suddenly, the car gained speed to overtake
me. My nervousness convinced me to take the next exit and try to
lose it.

To relax myself, I envisioned arriving home
with a nice cup of hot cocoa and warm blankets waiting for me. Of
course, I would sleep with the lights on, at least until Brad got
home.

Exiting the highway, I anticipated a street
rimmed with houses, but the road was dark and barren. The truck got
off the highway behind me. My stomach tightened. Could he be
following me? I grew more uncomfortable. As it took the curve of
the ramp, I noticed it was a dark Ford and seemed to be the same
kind of truck as Steve’s.

But Steve was in prison. Could he have
made bail
?

Terrified by the deserted street, I panicked
because I had to slow down. The truck approached faster, not paying
attention to the speed signs.

I swerved onto the ramp to get back onto the
interstate in the opposite direction.

“Please, please, don’t let him turn. Please
Lord, don’t let him turn,” I prayed. From the rearview mirror, I
watched the headlights jolt as he skidded back onto the highway
behind me.

It was him, it had to be him. I couldn’t hold
still. I was shaking—not because I was cold any more, but
petrified. Panting, I accelerated.

“Shit.” I looked through my rearview mirror.
The headlights were much bigger.

“Please, let him pass. Please, let him pass,”
I begged out loud. I jammed my foot on the pedal even harder. The
truck emerged closer and larger.

Approaching. Looming. Hovering
.
Without warning, my car jolted. He smashed against the rear of my
car.

“Shit, what the hell!”

Recklessly he hammered into the back of my
car again. My hands ricocheted off the wheel of the car, swerving
out of control for a moment. I grabbed the steering wheel firmly
and regained authority, manipulating it back into a lane. My heart
thumped loudly in my chest.

“I’m going to die. I should have waited for
Brad.” I hyperventilated with tears rolling down my face.

“Dear God, don’t let me die,” I begged.
“Don’t let me die.”

The truck collided against the back of my
car, jerking the steering wheel out of my grasp again. The bank to
my right was a steep drop down the mountain. I turned the steering
wheel with everything I had, trying to jolt the car back onto the
highway. My neck was throbbing with pain.

“I’m going to die,” I gasped.

Ramming my car in every direction, the truck
tossed my automobile around the highway like a rag doll. My arms
were growing weak constantly readjusting the steering, trying to
remain on the road.

He hammered the car again, forcing the
vehicle toward the edge of the cliff. Yanking the steering wheel to
the left, my car spun out of control on the highway. Spinning
vulnerably from the impact, my car stalled. I was in the middle of
the highway facing the wrong direction.

Throwing open the door to the truck, Steve
grabbed an ax. Furious, he charged my motionless vehicle.

I couldn’t give up. Anxious, I scrambled to
restart the car. I struggled to turn on the ignition, but nothing
happened. He approached the vehicle. The ax in his hands rose.

“Start. You have to start.” I pumped the gas,
but the car remained stationary. “Start, damn it, start.” The ax
smashed through the back window. Shattered glass stung me from
behind. “Please, start,” I begged, tears staining my skin.

The engine roared and the car bolted,
knocking him off balance. I raced recklessly in the wrong direction
on the highway.
I need to survive
. Grazing the side of his
truck, I cruised past it.
I’m going to survive. I am going to
escape.

In my rearview mirror, I could see him hasten
back to the truck. Faster, he raced toward me. The headlights’
glare closed in on me as he gained speed and bouldered against the
rear of the car. The truck thrust me toward the drop off the side
of the highway.

The impact stabbed my body.
My back . . .
the pain . . .

I needed to survive. I pictured my little
angel’s blue eyes.
I have to survive. I have to survive for
her.
I couldn’t leave her orphaned. My arms were getting weak
from wrestling with the steering wheel and my body was sore as my
little car was battered on the road.

Suddenly, the truck slammed me again. My
senses could feel every second of the jolt as I flew off the
highway. Crashing down the steep embankment, I tumbled over and
over. The car plummeted down the mountain.

My body smashed against the steering wheel,
bruising my ribs, breaking bones as the car fell.
Blood. Pain.
Hopelessness
.

Where am I
? I awoke crushed in the
car.
Blurry
. I could only see shadows.
Dizzy
. I held
the dashboard, hoping it would steady my world. A figure
accelerated through the woods toward me.

Excruciating pain shot through my body. I
gave up. I wanted it to end. I wanted to die. I lay there still,
weak, battered.

No,
I have to break free. I have to
somehow escape the confines of this metal prison.
The door
jammed. My seatbelt tangled, restricting my movement. Panting like
a trapped animal, I pushed and pushed. The pain pulsated through my
body.