Prowler: Spider Series, #2

By Jaycee Ford

My friend was murdered by a ruthless killer.

My soul was crushed with the weight of the world.

My body had endured an explosion.

My brain left to deal with the aftershock.

My heart longed for one thing.

The only person able to fix me.

The only person I couldn't have.

The only person saving my life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jaycee Ford
• Release date: Nov 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386157700

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Copyright © 2018 Jaycee Ford

Published by Jaycee Ford

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

Published: Jaycee Ford

Editor: Josh Vitalie

Cover Design and Formatting: Jaycee Ford

Prologue

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

love so soft

prologue

December 28th

Close your eyes and tell me what you see, Grayson.

Close my eyes? I couldn’t close my eyes when her stare drew me in every time I looked at her. Reclining flat on a sofa with my cheek pressed against a scratchy pillow, I gazed over the area rug to a pair of long legs emerging from a tight skirt. Long dark brown hair hung over her shoulders, framing a pair of hypnotic eyes. It was the only thing that kept me coming back each week.

Pen, this is crazy stuff. I’m not crazy.

Grayson, my name is Penelope, not Pen. And to you, it’s Doctor Fairfax.

We’ve been at this for a year now. I think I’m fine.

As a psychologist, I can confirm that no one is actually fine.

I pushed my hands against the cushions, lifted myself up, and let my legs fall over the edge of the sofa. Resting my elbows on my knees, I attempted to get closer to her without leaving the confines of the couch.

What’s with all the doctor patient jargon? I’m Grayson and you’re Pen.

She slammed her notebook shut. Seriously, Grayson. I can’t continue to be your doctor if you keep trying to make our arrangement anything but professional.

Fine. I reclined once more and stared at the ceiling. Let me ask you this. Why don’t you close your eyes ... and tell me why you kissed me on Christmas Eve?

She groaned, pushed herself up from the chair, and walked over to the panoramic windows that overlooked the Blue Ridge Mountains. I sat up again, staring at her. I wondered what it would take to make her realize that I was more than just a patient. I had grown up with a bat or a glove in my hand at all times, giving South Caldwell High School two state championships. I was rewarded with a full ride to the University of Tennessee; although, after four years, the passion for the game of baseball was gone, and I elected to not attempt getting drafted into the majors. Honestly, I probably would have only reached the minor league and that wouldn’t have been good enough for me. Even so, I had no problem getting girls, but getting a girl and keeping a girl were two very different things. Once I got them, I never really wanted to keep them. I must have been that guy. After a burning house collapsed on me, I was forced into therapy. My crushed leg took away any shot I had at going pro, not that it mattered anymore. After one session with Doctor Penelope Fairfax, that guy was gone. I was pulled in one hundred percent, probably because she wanted nothing to do with me. That was until Christmas Eve.

We’re supposed to be talking about your dream, Grayson.

I stood from the sofa, waited an extra second for my leg to adjust, and walked over to her, making sure to give her the space she needed.

I need to know why you kissed me on Christmas Eve, Pen.

I was drunk, she said, still not turning from her view of the mountains.

They say the truth always comes out with liquor.

She turned her head, her eyes meeting mine. They were dark, cold, closed off from anyone breaking in. I was determined.

Okay, okay, I said, turning to sit back down on the sofa. I winced slightly as I lifted my leg, and then laid back with a sigh, not really wanting to get into this. Still, if she wanted to know everything in my head, then I would tell her.

Fire. I see fire. I waited for her to respond. Her heels softly clicked against the hardwood as she walked back to the chair. As she sat, the pages of her notebook turned, and then it was quiet.

Fire was all around me. I closed my eyes and exhaled again. I really didn’t want to get into this. I knew if I did, I would have to remain her patient because I still had mental scars that needed to heal. I needed her to see that I was better, so I could kiss her again.

What did you do?

I tried to move, but my legs were gone. My pant legs were still there, but my actual legs had vanished.

Did you scream for help?

I thought about it, but with the fire completely surrounding me... I breathed out. Maybe I did need a therapist. I didn’t want anyone else getting hurt.

What did you do then?

I opened my eyes and glanced at her. I really don’t want to do this.

I need you to, Grayson. The county requires these sessions to make sure you’re stable for work.

I’m stable, Pen. I can even walk without crutches now.

But you need to function without the mental crutches, she reasoned. I understood, and as much as I hated to admit it, she was right. If I still had dreams about that damn explosion, I would never get better.

I think I’m always going to have these dreams.

Are you able to fall back asleep after those dreams? She eyed me slightly, as if she could see right through me. I know you’re not.

How would you know? You watch me when I’m asleep? I winked flirtatiously.

She exhaled. She totally loved it. That completely annoyed look was just a front.

The dark circles around your eyes tell me so. I don’t need to watch you to know that you aren’t getting enough sleep.

Maybe just prescribe some sleeping pills.

That’s not what we’re trying to accomplish, Grayson. We need you to sleep through the night and be able to function without fifteen cups of coffee every day.

It’s only like eight cups. And maybe you should watch me sleep sometime. Maybe you being there would help me sleep better.

She sighed, more like a groan, but I was convinced it was a sigh of longing.

It’s not a bad idea, Pen. A bottle of wine, a three-course dinner...

Grayson ...

Maybe even a little Netflix and chill.

I’m not doing that, Grayson.

I leaned up on one elbow and stared at her. So, the wine and dinner are still an option?

We’ll schedule you for a night at the sleep center. She reached over for the planner sitting on the table next to her.

I fell back on the sofa. That’s not what I was hoping for.

Then why don’t we get back to your dream. She turned to a new page in her notebook.

I laid back down and closed my eyes. I didn’t want to tell her the rest of the dream.

You said that you didn’t scream out because you didn’t want anyone else getting hurt, she said, bringing me back to my last words.

I saw Mike.

Did Mike help you?

My eyes remained closed. I could only shake my head in response.

He was already dead.

How did he ... appear?

I knew what she meant. I had dreams about him after the explosion. The dreams were the reason I needed her still. Thankfully, Mike’s body had been intact this last time. As if he was sleeping.

Did you see anyone else? she prompted. I knew it was like pulling teeth with me sometimes. It was just hard letting someone in, especially when it was Pen.

No. I could hear Caleb screaming my name, but I didn’t call out to him.

Because of the fire?

I nodded.

What else happened?

I could see there was an opening in the flames. I thought that maybe if I could drag myself through, I could escape without being killed.

And then what?

I saw someone reaching out their hand to me. They said it was going to be okay. They said they would help me.

Who was it?

I ignored her question of the person. When I grabbed their hand, my legs suddenly reappeared. They were able to help me to stand up. The fire parted around us and slowly died out as I followed them outside.

Was it someone you know?

I opened my eyes, looked at the ceiling, and nodded. I couldn’t look at her. They said they would never let anything happen to me.

Grayson, who was it?

I turned my head to look at her. Her stare hadn’t changed since the beginning of the session, but I was seeing her in a different way. And I realized after admitting this to myself, there was no going back.

It was you, Pen. You dragged me out of the fire. You kept me from sacrificing myself to save everyone. It was you, Pen. You saved me.

Grayson—

I know, Doc. I know. I sat up and stared out the window. I couldn’t look at her. I couldn’t stand to see the rejection in her eyes. I was just a patient to her. I wished I felt the same way. It would make everything a lot easier. Maybe you could sign off on my mental stability, so we don’t have to have these sessions anymore. I don’t want to have to open up to someone new.

But Grayson, you’re not sleeping.

I’ll be fine, Pen. I stood up and walked to the door. As I reached out for the handle, I turned around, meeting her eye. They weren’t narrow and cold this time. Instead, they were wide open and sad. I knew it was because of me. I should’ve demanded a new doctor from day one. I knew I would fall for her eventually. Of course, I would fall for the one girl who didn’t want me.

I appreciate all you’ve done for me. I know the county doesn’t require more than a year of counseling, so you’re off the hook now. Thank you for saving me time and time again.

I turned back to the door, pulled it open, and walked away from the entire situation. I was completely in love with her. I didn’t want another therapist to try and save me, because they would only be saving me from the heartache of Doctor Penelope Fairfax.

1

December 31st

New Year’s Eve was one of those days everybody loathed. Typically, I didn’t care since I would have someone to take home either way, but this year was different. There was no interest in flirting with any of the lonely girls looking for a New Year’s hookup. I couldn’t bring myself to do it after having my heart pretty much obliterated earlier in the week. Admittedly, this was my own doing. Stupidity was to blame.

Dixie’s Tavern, the only real bar in town, was packed tonight. I took the last gulp of beer from my mug and spun around toward our set of tables we staked out earlier that evening. I lifted the full pitcher just as my arm was grabbed.

That storm is moving in. Go easy. Tanner Landry advised. He was forever the law enforcer. How I’d ever gotten teamed up with someone so stern and straightforward, I would never know.

Relax. I’m a professional. I finished pouring my glass and then chugged half of it down.

That’s my point. He gave me a stare that reminded me of my father’s. I wiped my face with the sleeve of my button-down shirt and returned the stare, cocking my eyebrow to antagonize him. It worked. He rolled his eyes and shifted his gaze back to the crowded room as he folded his arms, holding a water bottle in his grip. Water was his usual beverage of choice.

You can have a drink, Landry. Celebrate the New Year and all that.

We’re in the middle of a murder investigation with zero leads, and there’s a massive snow storm heading our way. Maybe take note of that, he answered without looking at me once.

He had a point. He made a lot of good points. Maybe that was why they paired him with me when he first joined the force over a year ago. I still didn’t really know the guy, and he never really made an attempt get to know me. I found this behavior weird having grown up as a team player my whole life. Maybe I needed to adjust. This was probably something I should talk to Pen about. I won’t be talking to Pen about any of these