Obsession (Stalker #1) (24 page)

Most everyone decides it is late and it is time to head out, which is when all the hugging and cheek kissing starts. Caroline and Joe ask if they can take Izzy for the night and Izzy is more than happy to go. She has a room with all kinds of stuff there for her at their house. We say our goodbyes and make plans for Izzy to be dropped off tomorrow afternoon. My ma is one of the last to leave. She walks over to me and pulls me into a hug, releases me, then cups my face with both hands.

“Abigail, I couldn’t be more proud of you than I am right now, baby.” She pecks my lips.
Yes, I kiss my ma on the lips still.

“Thanks, Ma, I really tried.” Tears slide down my cheeks. I’m feeling overwhelmed and this is what happens. Ma wipes my tears away.

“I love you, Abby,” she says.

“I love you, too, Ma.”

She makes her rounds to my friends and Jake, hugging and kissing them all.

It’s only Jake and I, Dallas and Justin, Kevin and Amanda, Nicole, Natalie and Kim left. We decide to park it on the little beach. Everyone lights up their joints and cigarettes and we all laugh.

“I’ve never been to any kind of funeral like this before!” Natalie blurts and then snorts while laughing. This just makes us all laugh.

“It was definitely one of a kind,” Nicole agrees with her twin.

“I think it was fucking perfect and can’t believe what you guys pulled off,” Jake says to the group.” I don’t even know how to begin to thank you all for what you did tonight! It couldn’t have been easy.” He’s getting a bit choked up.

“We’re family now, sucka.” Dallas winks.

“Ha-ha-ha! That’s cool! Auntie Dallas, I’m down with that!” Jake chuckles at her and she scrunches up her face at him. Everyone’s silly on the pot.

“Well, I love being an auntie and can’t wait to take Izzy shopping,” Kim tells us all.

“Kim, don’t you dare dress her like a little whore!” Nat says a little too loudly. Everyone starts laughing again.

“Why in the fuck would I dress her like a whore, bitch! I’m going to make her into a little diva princess, like me.” I roll my eyes because nobody can really see now. The paper lanterns can’t be seen as clearly as before, but, they are still faintly there.

“Oh, Lordy,” Nicole pipes in, “maybe we should do group shopping trips first before Kim is left unsupervised with her.” She laughs out loud.

“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m fucking tired and want to go home.” I say, swinging my eyes over to Jake’s and he nods at me.

“Yeah, it’s time to go,” Dallas agrees with me.

“Justin!” she yells. “go get our shit.” He obediently goes and does what he’s told. All you can hear is Jake and Kev as they mock him. Laughing, they say, “Yeah, Justin, go get our shit.”

“Just wait you guys; you’ll be grabbing your women’s shit soon enough.” He walks away giving them the finger.

“Pull me up.” I reach my hands out to Jake. While feeling the need to dust the sand off my ass, he yanks me to him.

“You’re in trouble tonight.” He plants a kiss on me.

“Oh for fuck’s sakes! Go home already, you horny fucking rabbits!” Kim shouts at us.

“Ok, we’re outta here, you guys.” I make my way to each one and hug and kiss them.

Kev says, “You throw one kick ass funeral, Abby. If I die, plan mine,” He’s looking at me serious as a heart attack.

“Uh, can we not talk about anyone else dying, please.” I hug him. “She likes you,” I whisper in his ear. He pulls me back to look at him, a shit eating grin on his face.

“Oh, I know.” He winks at me.

“Ok then, thanks for everything, Kev, and we’ll figure out shit about the house soon. I’ll be by at some point to officially get all my shit.”
Fuck, I don’t know if I want to go back there yet.

“No rush, Abby.” He kisses the top of my head.

I go over to hug Amanda. “He likes you,” I whisper to her.

She turns to me with her shit eating grin and says, “I know.” I couldn’t be more happy for them.

“Alright, hookers, we’re out of here! Abby, kick ass funeral, babe,” Kim says to me before leaving with Nicole and Nat.

“Come on, Dallas, we’ll walk you back up there.” She walks along with us.

“You know, that really was a kick ass funeral,” she says randomly.

“It was a Celebration of Life. I hope someone thinks to do something like this for me when I kick it,” I blurt, instantly feeling like an idiot.

“Fuck, yeah. Abby, Dallas, you guys did a kick ass job. No joke! I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.” I know he truly appreciates everything and I don’t feel like an idiot anymore. “Recreating Heaven for Izzy was an awesome idea, so were the balloons, the lanterns, the food… and the open bar didn’t hurt,” Jake says proudly.

We all get our stuff and leave the Legion. The Hart’s had taken care of cleaning and arranged to have all the pictures we made sent to their house in a few days. I’m so glad they allowed me to make it a celebration instead of all the doom and gloom normally associated with death and funerals. They didn’t have to.

“Love ya, twat waffle,” I scream at Dallas.

“Later, bro,” Jake hollers at Justin.

“Love ya, whorasaurus,” Dallas screams, and Jake starts howling.

“What the fuck is wrong with you two?” he asks, still laughing. I shrug.

“It’s just how we roll, baby.”

He helps me climb into the Jeep, copping a blatant feel of my ass. He climbs into the driver’s side and we head home. He grabs my hand, kisses it, and holds it in his lap.

“I saw what you wrote on your balloon, you know,” Jake casually mentions. “I love you, Abby.”

I turn my head to him. “I love you, too.”

I’ve never meant any words more in my life than I do in this moment.

We get home and let Ozzy out and make sure the furry kids have food and water before we head to bed. Ozzy is barking his head off so I go over to the door to call him inside. He barks at the bushes a few more times before he comes. Finally!

“Get your ass in here, woman! I’m waiting for you,” Jake hollers at me. I slide the door shut and lock it. I’m off to let Jake have his wicked with me. Now!

That was a spectacular celebration if I’ve ever seen one. Abby should really consider doing party planning or funerals. Of course, I was there.
Did you think I wouldn’t be?
I watched like I have these past five days. I made sure I got the information I needed so I could go to the funeral. I should pay my respects, after all.

I wrote on one of those balloons, too, while nobody was looking, or so I thought. After writing I love you,Abb
y
on the balloon, I drew a picture of a woman hanging. I turned to see a cute little girl watching me. She must be Isabelle, Jake and Tiffany’s daughter. Abby is her mother now. I put the Sharpie down and waved to her. She ran away.

You only need to walk into the Legion when there’s an event going on. Nobody notices anything. I made sure to dress appropriately, but casual, with dark denim, a black button down, and a black jacket. It’s not like anyone would expect to see me there, and I made sure to spot Kev before he spotted me. He would be the only one to recognize me. Abby and Jake have probably long forgotten they met me at The Shelter only a short time ago. I’m not significant enough to remember, right now, anyway. That will change.

That damn dog, Ozzy is his name, is on to me. This is the second time he’s sniffed me out. I hear Abby calling for him. He barks a few more times and goes inside.
Fuckin’ dog!!!
He is pissing me off to no end. I’m not going to see anymore tonight so I should go back to my motel. I really need to work on getting a more permanent residence soon, and that shouldn’t take me very long.

Abby’s life is about to get flipped upside down and inside out. She’s not ready for this; her with a kid? She is a force, though, like I mentioned earlier. She’s stronger and tougher than I thought and handled everything that came at her with what seemed like ease.

Do you see? Do you see why I can’t enough? I won’t stop watching her.

I’m far from done and soon she will be aware that I do exist.

The anticipation is killing me.

THE END

For now…

Life is full

Of ups and downs

And you never know

What lies around

The next corner

As you go along

Trying to make it

Staying strong

Then one day

Fate sweeps in

Brings a man

Who's sexy as sin

He's smart and sweet

And crazy for you

So you fuck him hard

And soon you

Find yourself

Head over heels

And you're moving fast

Cause it just feels

Like something different

Something true

And there is nothing

You wouldn't do

For that man

Cause he gave you more

Than you ever

Could have hoped for

Gave you his love

Trusted you with his heart

And gave you a family

To become a part

Of and you know for sure

When you look in their eyes

You'd move heaven and earth

To make sure their lives

Are beautiful you'll keep them safe

And ensure no harm ever touch

Even one single hair

Cause you love them so much

That even on

The darkest of days

You'll somehow manage

To find a ray

Of hope and light

Cause as you've found

If you really look closely

There's darkness all around

So hold them close

Wrap them up tight

And be wary of strangers

Who lurk in the night

-
Caroline Baker 3/15

Did you know it takes an entire village to self-publish a book? Yeah, me either!!! I need to thank so many people who helped me along the way. I’m going to try my best not to miss anyone.

Colleen, you have the patience of a saint and I believe you actually have a halo over your head. I can never thank you enough for all of your hard work!

Natalie Teller, for being my second eyes and letting me know if something sucked and needed to be changed. Love you long time!

Katrina Arthurs for making my cover. I love it! You also have the patience of a saint. It’s exactly what I wanted.

Kylie Sharp, my PA, who listens to me rant about nonsense and helps calm me down when I start to freak out over any little thing.

This book would probably not look as badass as it does, had it not been for my kickass Formatter, Silla Webb

Thanks to Noelle Bodhaine, Caroline Baker, Jaden Wilkes, Al Daltrey, Tiffany Huegele, Dawn Martens, Katrina Alba, Amy Donnelly, Tricia Daniels, Kimber S. Dawn, Amanda Metteer-Herrera, for letting me hound them with questions upon questions. I really appreciate all your help.

My family, thanks for believing in me and not making me feel like a jackass for actually writing a book. Although, I do hope myMa, Nan and MIL don’t really read it, hahahaha!!
!

To my Queens of Wonderland, Street Team ~ you are all badass!  I can’t thank you all enough for wanting to be on my team and support me.  It means the world to me!