Cry Me a River PG-13 Edition by Devyn Dawson Page B

before I register what he’s doing, he comes over to my side and holds the door open for me.
    Caide….so many facets…
    As I get to the door I hear Rusty barking like crazy.  We walk into the house and I sense something’s wrong. 
    “Is something wrong?”  Caide asks me as he closes the door.
    It occurs to me I wasn’t expecting company, jeez, I pray the kitchen is clean.  So far all he sees is the yellow and black living room with a zebra carpet and two zebra striped chairs.  I recently had all of the overhead lights replaced with either recessed lighting or chandeliers.  The living room has the most dramatic black chandelier, it’s so beautiful and gothic and ridiculously expensive.  Ryan says it’s over the top.
    My black crushed velvet couch with its curved back is a topic of conversation when I have visitors.  It has two bright yellow throw pillows to give it a dramatic touch as well as a yellow cashmere throw.
    “I’m not sure,” I reply as I walk through the great room to the kitchen.  Hopefully, he won’t think everything is too girlie.  Not that I care…maybe I care.  Who cares? “Oh shit!” I exclaim as I walk over to my answering machine.  A note with my name is by the phone. 
    Caide is behind me and he reaches past to get the note.  I’m shaking too much to care.  “Can I read it?  Do you live alone?”  He asks.
    Rusty wiggles in my arms as she tries to reach my face and lick it.  “Yeah, I live alone,” Rusty barked in protest.  “Yes, please open it.”
    I’M WATCHING YOU
    Three words.
    Three terrifying words.
    Tears….damn eyes fail me in a moment I need to be strong.  I can be strong.  What the hell do I do now?  I’m all alone.
    Caide pulls my arm and wraps his arms around me.  They’re strong and make me feel safe.  I’m not safe though.  “River…we need to call the police.”
    I don’t lift my head from his chest, but I nod it up and down.  “Okay.”
    “Call your friend Gwen and see if she can bring your purse over here and talk to the police.  I’m going to check the house, you call the police first.” Caide gives me a reassuring squeeze before he heads down the hall.
    Sexy.
    No….you’re his sponsor.
    He’s still sexy.
    Shit.
     
    THIRTY MINUTES LATER
    Caide and I are talking to Officer Blaine and Officer Dumas when the doorbell rang.  Rusty jumped out of my arms and barked to alert me that a human is at the door.
    Gwen is standing at the door dressed as though she sits around looking like a model in the event someone calls to come over.  She has on a romantic floral sundress and strappy wedge heels.  She takes her white sunglasses and places them on top of her head as she comes in.  She sees Caide and gives me the same look she gave me at the club last night.
    “Who is this guy?” She whispers to me.
    “Later…we have to talk to the cops right now.”  I lead her to the couch, Caide scoots to the end and I sit between him and Gwen.  Rusty jumps up in my lap but betrays me by scooting closer to Caide.  He scratches her behind the ears and they bond. 
    “Gwen, how do you know Lance?”   Officer Blaine asks.
    “He’s my friend’s brother, why what’s up?”
    Officer Dumas writes down something.  “Gwen, do you know Lance’s last name?”
    “Dupree, why?  Has he done something?”  Gwen turns to me and asks me directly.  “Did he hurt you?”
    I shake my head no.  “He didn’t get the chance to.  Caide realized something was wrong with me and got me out of the club before I ended up….you know….”
    “Before you ended up what?  Raped?”  I nod my head yes.  “Oh shit!  You only had one drink, what did he do - roofie you?”
    I shrugged my shoulders and gave her a solemn look.
    We went over everything that happened and how there was a note in my house.  She had my purse, which had my keys, so how did he get in?  Gwen admitted her friend is more of an acquaintance but she’s met her for drinks a few