Nick took Alex home and they checked the apartment. Nothing was missing, after a long discussion Alex called Colby and said he could move in immediately. She explained what happened and he said he would move in the following day. Alex stayed with the Carter’s and they even had the locks changed. Alex promised Nick that if anything else happened the police were going to get involved.
* 2 MONTHS LATER*
“COME ON PAINE PUT SOME MORE STUFF BEHIND IT!!” The coach screamed
Alex pulled on her cap and looked at Colby. He winked at her and signaled a curve ball. The jock at the plate made Alex want to throw up. He was the definition for ego and had only made half a million comments about her since practice started a week ago, “Maybe the little girl needs a break.” He yelled
Alex shook her head at Colby’s signal and waited until he signed a fast ball. She wound up and gave it all she had. Brad stood stalk still holding the bat in check, “STRIKE ONE!” Colby yelled tossing the ball back to Alex. He signaled another fastball and was surprised when Alex nodded. She wound up and sent it flying into Colby’s mitt once more. Brad was getting angry and began waving the bat a little. Colby signaled a fastball once again but Alex shook her head. Colby signaled for a curve ball and she nodded. She wound up and threw the ball. Brad swung with all he had and barley tipped it. Alex ran up and caught it and went running right after Brad. Right before he got to 1st base she tossed the ball and got him out. Brad was furious, he turned around and got right in her face, “You bitch!”
Alex didn’t back down put stood up straighter, “What? Mad that a ‘little girl’ can beat ya?”
“Why you…” Brad brought his hand back and Alex just crossed her arms. All of a sudden Colby was right next to her and the coach stepped in between them.
“That’s enough Brad, hit the showers.”
Brad glared at Alex and stomped off, “Okay, everybody hit the showers, except for you Paine.”
Alex gulped as she stopped and waited for the coach to speak, “You know, I was real iffy on having a chic on my team. I’ve been watching you in practice. You are good, you’ve got spunk, and most of all you don’t ask for special treatment, which you’re not gonna get from me. I’m gonna keep you on Paine with one condition.”
Alex looked at him, “Yeah Coach?”
“You keep doing what you just did.”
Alex grinned, “All right Coach.”
“And don’t worry about the guys, they’re just jealous.” He said slapping her on the back.
“Okay Coach.” She said with a grin
“Now, go get showered and be back here ready to work tomorrow.”
“Sure thing.” Alex said as she walked off toward the ladies locker room. The only good thing about being the only girl on the team was she had the whole locker room to herself. She took a quick shower and changed into jeans and a T-shirt. She grabbed her stuff and walked out to find Colby waiting for her.
When he saw her, he grinned, “Brad is really steamed.”
Alex shrugged, “He’ll get over it.”
“Did the Coach get on to ya?”
“Something like that.”
They both got into her car and headed back to their apartment. Colby unlocked the door and walked in. He stopped short, “Um Lex, where did those come from?”
Alex looked around him to see a huge bouquet of roses on the table, “I don’t know.”
Colby walked over, “They are probably from Nick. He pulled the card and started to read it in a funny voice –‘Alexis, you know I want you, you know I need you. Why do you play games.’, Colby’s voice dropped as he finished, ‘ I WILL have you Alexis, you will be mine.”
Alex stood completely still in the doorway, “It’s him, he’s been in here.” She said clutching her bag. She walked over to the phone and called Nick.
It rang several times before he picked up, “Hello?”
“Nick, it’s happening again..” she said in a shaky voice.
When Alex couldn’t say anything else Colby picked up the phone, “Um Nick, you better get over here now. We have a problem.”
Colby sat next to Alex on the floor until he heard Nick drive up. Nick walked in with a worried look on his face, “What happened?”
Colby handed him the card, “These showed up while we were at practice.”
Nick read the card and then pulled Alex into his arms. She didn’t say anything, she didn’t cry, just looked blankly out into space, “Alex get your stuff, you’re coming home with me.”
She nodded and went to get her stuff, “Do you have anyone you can crash with?” Nick asked
“Yeah, I can stay with one of the guys on the….” Colby’s sentence was interrupted by Alex’s scream
They both ran towards Alex’s shrieking. They found her in the bathroom looking at the mirror in horror, “Alex what’s….?” Nick stopped short as he saw the mirror. The words “I WILL HAVE YOU ALEXIS! YOU ARE MINE!” were written across it in red lipstick. “Colby, call the police.” Nick said as he wrapped his arms around Alex.
She collapsed against him, “I don’t even have red lipstick.”
