Roman got out of his car and looked across the street. His neighbor Carolee was standing in her living room window about to close her curtains. Her long, black hair was hanging down and her ocean blue eyes lit up when she saw him. She smiled and waved, and he did the same back. She pulled the curtains and he saw movement on the first floor of her house. There was a man in her bedroom upstairs and it made him smile even more.

"Someone's getting lucky tonight," he chuckled.

Carolee moved into the neighborhood two years ago and she came with a bubbly personality that made it so easy for him to talk to her. They had been friends since the first time they met. They often hung out over a cup of coffee or a drink while debating the situation of the world and talking about who they may or may not have their eyes on. He took out his phone and sent her a text.

"Goodnight, Carolee. Have fun with your boy toy."

He unlocked his front door and heard his phone beep. He closed the front door again before reading her answer.

"What boy toy?"

He chuckled, thinking it was just a weird game of hers to play innocent before he would get the full scoop tomorrow, and he sent a text back.

"The guy I saw in your bedroom window. You didn't hide him well enough for me to not notice."

He added a winking smiley and sent the text. He walked out in the kitchen and placed his phone down on the countertop. He poured a glass of water and drank it. No reply came back. He had expected at least a laughing smiley or something but his phone remained silent. He placed the empty glass down on the countertop and suddenly felt dread inside. Something was off. It wasn't like her to deny having anyone over if he texted her something like that.

"Fuck!" He growled.

He grabbed his phone, hurried out of his house, sprinted across the street, and started banging on the door.

"Carolee? Are you alright?" He yelled.

He tried the handle but of course the door was locked. He started banging again and then he froze when he heard her scream. He was only frozen for a second, and then he started kicking down her door. It took a few solid kicks before the wood finally gave way and made him able to force his way inside her home.

"Carolee!" He yelled.
"Roman!" She cried.

He ran towards her voice and found her at the bottom of the stairs. She had either fallen or been pushed down but she was sitting up on the floor, trying to get herself up to stand.

"I twisted my ankle," she said. "Fuck! He's still upstairs."
"Call 911," he said.

He handed her his phone and started walking upstairs. He walked as quietly as he could while trying to listen for any sound. He made it to her bedroom and saw the door to her closet ajar. He walked over to the closet and tore it open. A guy came flying out with one of Carolee's belts in his hands. He somehow got behind Roman and wrapped the belt around his throat. It only took one solid hit from Roman's elbow to the intruder's face for the belt to be loosened. Roman turned around, slammed the guy down on his stomach, and quickly tied his hands together with the belt.

"Stay the fuck down!" Roman growled. "Carolee! I got him!"
"Cops are on their way!" She yelled.

It didn't take long before the cops showed up and took the man away. Carolee had made it back on her feet when Roman came downstairs. She was limping but her ankle already felt better.

"Put some ice on it," he said.
"I'm out," she said.
"I got some in my freezer," he said.
"Good, because I'm sleeping on your couch tonight," she said.
"That's okay but you're not walking there," he said.

He lifted her up and carried her across the street to his own house. He placed her down on the couch and went to get some ice for her ankle. After that he found his spare duvet and a pillow for her.

"Thank you," she said.
"You're welcome," he said.
"I can't stop thinking about what would have happened if you hadn't seen him," she said.
"It's a scary thought," he sighed. "But let's not worry our heads with what ifs. Nothing good comes from that. I saw him and I got there to help you. You're safe. That's all that matters. And tomorrow I'll call someone to get your door fixed."
"That's gonna cost me," she said.
"No, it's not. I broke it so I'm paying," he said.
"You broke it to save me. It's not fair if you have to pay for it too," she said.
"Tough shit because you're not getting your way. Besides, I make way more money than you and I won't miss what little money it will cost me," he said. "Anything else you need?"

She shook her head with a smile and leaned further back in the couch. She knew this couch well by now. She had been sitting on it many times and slept there a few times too.

"I'm good," she said.
"Alright, I'll turn in then. Waffles or pancakes for breakfast?" He asked.
"Waffles," she grinned.
"You got it," he said.

He stood up and gave her one more smile. He treasured their friendship so much and he knew she felt the same way.

"You know, I got a bunch of single friends from wrestling. I could hook you up with one or two," he said.
"One or two," she snorted. "At least three."
"Greedy!" He laughed. "Alright, I get it. It's a no. But the offer stands if you ever wanna take me up on it."
"Thank you," she said. "You really are a great friend, Roman."