Biting his lip, he turned the note around for her to see.
Two days, Sloan. Two days till the Fall. You’re getting close, but do you know who I am? You will soon. Very soon. Do I need to remind you about police involvement and your mother? I think she’s getting close to calling them. I’d stop her if I were you. If you love her at all. Two days and then you fall. And you will… fall.
Don’t forget. ICU
Sloan jumped up and nearly fell over when the dizziness hit. Before she could fall, Aaron caught her and pulled her back up to standing.
“You need to sit,” he demanded.
“I need to warn my mother. She can’t call the police.”
“You put your clothes on, and I’ll talk to your mother.”
A very bad thought crossed her mind. This was Aaron. Aaron who thought she was crazy and had entertained the thought that she’d sent the flowers to herself. “I didn’t do this, Aaron. I didn’t put those flowers there then freak out. I know I didn’t. You have to believe me. Please.”
He held her tightly, gently rubbing his fingers though her wet hair. “It’s okay. I believe you.”
“You do? Who else could have gotten in here?”
“I don’t know,” he whispered in her ear. It caused chill bumps to form on her skin. “I don’t know, but I know you didn’t do it.”
“Why?” She held him tighter. “Why do you know now?”
He kissed her neck. “Because I believe in you.” Aaron let her go and held her at arm’s length. “Get some clothes on. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“In my room. I’ll meet you in my room,” she corrected then felt her face flush when he looked confused. “Not like… I don’t think my wobbly legs can go down the steps. I’ll see you when I have some clothes on.”
Aaron smiled for a second and left her alone to change. When the door shut, she fell to the floor.
A little while later, she emerged from the bathroom to find her mother waiting for her in the hallway. She wasn’t freaking out as badly as she’d expected her to be.
“Aaron told me you think the worst is over.”
He did what?
Aaron stood behind her mother and gave Sloan a go with it look.
Her mom’s brows creased. “The worst is over, right? No roses all day. That’s wonderful. Right?” Her mom looked from Sloan to Aaron and back to Sloan. “Because I was getting ready to call the police. They are professionals and know how to deal with this stuff more than we do, but Aaron came down and said that might be a bad idea. Said it looked like the stalker had given up. Is that right?”
Sloan’s throat got dry. She understood why Aaron told her that, but she hated to lie to her mother. Okay, she had to think about it. What would her mom do if she knew the truth? What if she knew about the threatening note in the bathroom while her daughter had showered?
She’d call the police.
Sloan knew her mother, and apparently Aaron did too. If she knew, even with the threat, she would be calling the police. Mr. ICU would know as well and would hurt her. Sloan’s mother might not be worried about it, but Sloan couldn’t take that chance.
She had to protect her mother. No matter what. Aaron agreed with her. No police. They had to do this on their own.
“Yeah.” She scratched her head and smiled. “Yeah. Aaron’s right. The countdown must be over. He or she must be tired of taunting me. Must have been a stupid game.”
“A sick game if you ask me.” Her mom shivered. “You’d tell me, right? If you got another note.”
Sloan’s breath caught in her throat, but she tried very hard to cover it up. She didn’t want to lie to her mother, but didn’t see any other way out. She had to protect her. Sloan looked her mom, dead in the eye. “Yes, ma’am. I’d tell you if I did.”
“Good.” Her mom hugged her tightly. It made Sloan feel awful. She wanted to protect her so badly, but she hated lying. Hated it.
Over her mom’s shoulder, she saw Aaron. He grinned sadly and nodded, clearly happy she’d figured out the lie he’d wanted her to tell. They were a good pair. A good lying pair.
“I need to use the restroom. Excuse me.” Aaron scooted by Sloan and her mother. He closed the bathroom door behind him.
“I’m worried about you,” her mom said when they were alone in the hallway. “I want to protect you.”
“I don’t need protecting.” Sloan smiled best she could. “It’s over. It’s all over.”
“Just because you didn’t get a note today?” Her mom didn’t sound convinced, and that was an issue since Sloan needed her to be convinced so she wouldn’t involve the police.
“Yeah. It was a countdown, Mom. A countdown to prom. No roses. No endgame. I think whoever it was just wanted me to be spooked. I guess it worked.”
“Spooked me too.” Her mom squeezed Sloan’s shoulders. “It’ll be okay, Sloan. You’ll see. It’ll all blow over. If it doesn’t, tell me. Okay? Promise me you’ll tell me if you get any more roses.”