Cedric agreed we could go out with my coworkers that night. We had a great time, and may have drank a little bit. My man didn't drink, he just kept looking around to make sure I was safe while I enjoyed my night out with my friends. I invited Anna to come out and join us, but she was working late on a case at the law firm she works at and told me she would join next time.
We went around sharing some of the most ridiculous calls we have received since becoming operators.
“I always get the pranking kids. Calling me about if my fridge is running, I'd better go catch it.” Howled Wanda. “No matter how many times I have heard that over the years, I swear it never gets old.
“Oh that's nothing. I had a man call me crying because he couldn't find his cat. I told him a missing cat wasn't really an emergency for us, but he then started to tell me that he was unable to find a woman that would date him because he still lived with his mom and he ended up getting adoption papers done for his cat.” Rick laughed and took a sip of his beer, while patting a not so amused Cedric on the back.
My man wasn't having a good time. He was back to worrying now that our bubble has been popped, but I am. I'm feeling safe tonight with Cedric sitting beside me that I'm actually allowing myself to have a good time.
“I had a caller who butt dialed us and once he heard that I was a woman, he tried asking me on a date. Talked himself into being some hot shot doctor who loves to work out.” Sheila giggled before adding. “That was the date I was referring to. Nothing about his body told me what he said was true.”
“Oh god.” I laughed hard, choking on my drink, causing Cedric to pat me on my back.
“Babe, you are good?” He asked me worried as he watched me keep choking while I couldn't stop laughing.
“Yeah babe yeah.” I giggled before kissing his check. “I'm more than good.” I whispered to him. “I love you, Ced.”
I watched as his eyes flashed with emotion as he looked down at me and smiled. “I love you too, Avery baby.”
“I need to go to the bathroom.” I said, excusing myself from the conversation and laughing as I climbed over Cedric to get out of the booth.
“I'll come.” Cedric replied and stood up behind me.
“Babe no. It's fine. I'm just going to pee. Relax. Nothing is going to happen. Too many people.” I told him gently and held my hand out to stop him from following me.
“Something doesn't feel right, Avery. My guts telling me you're not safe. Let's just go home.” Cedric suggested, bent down and grabbed my purse. “You can tell me all about your crazy calls in bed, where I know you're safe in my arms.”
“No. I don't want to go home. You can though, babe, if you like. I'm tired of being scared. I want to enjoy myself with you and my friends. Just because he is still out there doesn't mean I have to hide away and shrink back every time something bad happens.” I told him calmly, hoping he would understand.
“I'll be right here waiting.” He growled, not sounding happy.
“I know you will be, baby.” I smiled and blew him a kiss before heading towards the lady's room.
As I'm walking, I realize how far I have come in life. I have an incredible job, once again. I have a wonderful best friend. I have a incredible, loving boyfriend that I don't even have any fears about being with, even after everything I have been through with my ex. I never worry about Cedric cheating on me. He just isn't that type of man and since we started dating, he hasn't even so much as looked at another woman. I have friendly coworkers who have invited me out tonight to make sure I knew I was now a part of their team.
Over the weekend, Cedric brought up selling my house, and I didn't know how I felt about that. I mean, I just moved into that house a few months ago.
Wasn't it too soon to be officially moved in with Cedric?
Should we slow things down a bit?
Those questions have been on my mind all day today, knowing that he would bring up that conversation again soon, and I think I got my answer.
Watching him sitting there doing something that he doesn't feel is safe and something that is going against his protectiveness and still doing it because he wants me to be happy made me realize what my answer should be.
I'm not scared.
I don't think it's fast.
We love each other, and I'm ready to fully commit to that man, and I'm ready to start our life together.
Once we get home, I'll tell Cedric the good news, and then I'll make him show me how happy he is with my decision with his tongue.
Smiling widely about my idea, I head into the lady's bathroom and head towards the mirror to double-check my makeup. It wasn't long before the door opened and a man I didn't know walked in.
“Um, sir, this is the lady's room.” I informed him, not wanting to sound rude.
Mistakes happen.
I have walked into the men's room multiple times just because I wasn't paying too much attention to the sign on the doors when I was in a hurry.
“Sir? This is the women's restroom.” I stated when he didn't immediately turn around and walk out of the bathroom.
He didn't say anything, he just stared at me and made me feel uncomfortable. He is about five foot six, roughly one hundred and ninety-nine pounds, and he is wearing classes.
“Hello?” I snapped, getting annoyed that the man isn't talking to me and needing him to leave now. Cedric will end up coming looking for me if I take long, and I don't want him to be the one in a jail cell for assault.
“You are so beautiful.” The man whispered, staring at me with lust in his eyes, and now I'm feeling uncomfortable.
This man needs to get the fuck out now.
“You need to leave. This isn't the men's bathroom.” I growled and pulled my phone out of my bra, ready to call for Cedric if I needed to.
He would come running.
“I said you are beautiful. Are you not going to tell me thank you?” The man snarled and took a step closer to me.
“L- Listen to me. I'm here with my boyfriend, who's a cop. He will not like that you're in the bathroom with me. Do you understand? He will arrest you.” I informed him, thinking that would have him running out of the bathroom, but it did nothing but cause him to grin.
“You think I'm scared of Detective Chandler?” The guy laughed, and it sounded insane.
“How do you know him?” I urged, confused, my arms feeling like bugs were crawling all over them.
“You don't think I don't recognize the guy my woman is seeing behind my back?” The man growled, hate filling his eyes now.
“Your woman?” I demanded, shocked that he would think Cedric is sleeping with his woman, and kind of hoping this man is wrong and Cedric isn't doing to me what my ex did.
No.
No.
I know he isn't. This guy is confused.
“I saw her first, but the cop just came swooping in like a want to be hero.” He shouted and made me jump back against the bathroom sink.
“I'm sorry. I don't know what you're talking about, but you need to leave. Now.” I snapped, losing my patience, and dialed Cedric's number. I didn't want the man to go to jail over a mistake, but he doesn't seem right in the head, so it's safest for me to call my man and let him deal with this.
“Drop the fucking phone bitch” The man growled, and I swung my heated gaze up ready to let him have my attitude, but before I could even open my mouth, I saw the gun he had pointed right at me. “You will come with me. You won't make a sound. If you do, I will shoot your Cedric Chandler. Do you understand?”
Oh! god.
Is he the one that's been doing all this? Is he the one that's been hurting these women, the ones that's obsessed with me?
“You're the one hurting those women.” I whispered, shocked as fear clawed its way up my throat, choking me.
“Let's go home now.” He spoke and motioned for the door. “Remember what I said. Make a scene and someone dies."