Page 134 of Faking the Goal

So yeah, the goal is to help her get rid of this stalker.

That's the whole reason we're doing this.

But maybe there's another goal I can quietly hope for too.

That when all of this is over, I'll have had a real chance to make her fall for me too.

Taylor chews on the inside of her cheek, clearly turning the idea over in her head. "I think I need a little time to sit with it." Her eyes lift back to mine. "I'm not saying no. I just don't want to agree to something this big because I'm scared and end up regretting it later."

I lean back slightly. "Of course. Take all the time you need. The offer's not going anywhere."

The following day, Taylor and I head straight to the Campus Police Department.

The officer at the front desk takes us into a small interview room, where Taylor spends the next half hour walking him through everything that's been happening over the past month. He mostly lets her talk, occasionally stopping to clarify a date or ask a question, while I sit beside her and listen to her recount the whole fucking ordeal all over again.

"Do you still have everything?" he asks once she finishes.

Taylor shakes her head. "Not all of it. I threw out most of the earlier stuff before I realized this was actually... serious. But I saved the texts and call logs, and I still have some of the notes and the package from last night."

He nods, scribbling something into his report. "That's fine. From this point forward, keep everything you can. Take photos of anything physical before you dispose of it, save every text and voicemail, and keep records of every call, even if the number changes. Dates and times too, whenever possible. The more we can document as this continues, the easier it'll be to establish a pattern."

He pulls up something on his computer before looking back at Taylor.

"I also see you already have an active case with us involving your former boyfriend and a standing restraining order."

"I do."

"At this point," he says carefully, "we don't have enough evidence to say these new incidents are connected to him. It could be the same individual violating the restraining order, or it could be someone else entirely."

Taylor's shoulders sink a little.

"So... what happens now?"

"We're going to document today's report as a new incident and cross-reference it with your existing case file. We'll review the information you've provided and look into whether there's any indication your former boyfriend has violated the restraining order. If necessary, we'll coordinate with the appropriate law enforcement agency regarding his current whereabouts."

"And if it isn't him?" I ask.

"Then, for now, this remains a separate investigation." He folds his hands on the desk. "Unfortunately, without identifying the person responsible, there's only so much we can do at this stage. But if the behavior continues—or escalates—it strengthens the case considerably."

He turns back to Taylor.

"If you receive another package, don't open it if anything appears suspicious. Call us first. If you ever see someone following you or feel you're in immediate danger, call 911 first, then notify us as soon as you're safe."

Taylor nods slowly. "Okay."

"We'll be in touch if we identify any leads or need additional information," the officer says, handing her a copy of the incident report. "In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact us if anything changes—even if it seems minor."

Taylor thanks him quietly before we stand to leave.

The entire conversation lasts less than forty minutes.

Somehow... I don't feel even remotely reassured.

The moment we step outside the Campus Police building, the warm December sun hits us square in the face. Campus is unusually quiet now that winter break has officially started. Most of the students cleared out as soon as finals ended, leaving behind mostly empty sidewalks and parking lots with more vacant spaces than cars. A few people still drift between buildings here and there, but without the usual crowds rushing to class, the whole place feels strangely still.

I glance sideways at Taylor.

"You okay?"