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“Since Friday,” I sighed. It was only Sunday. I wasn’t sure what was going on with her or Dad, but they were acting strange as hell. Stranger than last week, even with one another. I’d heard a few whispered arguments behind closed doors. Mom and Dad never argued. I knew whatever was going on had to be serious.
“We should do some investigating this week. You know, double-o-seven.”
“Do we need the all black ensemble?”
“Think that’s Charlie’s Angels. If we talk Bri into it we could totally pull that off.” She stood up and grabbed her purse, digging out her key fob.
“Call me when you get there, so I know you made it.”
“Course,” she tossed over her shoulder. “See ya Tuesday.”
With her gone, my own mountain of homework sat waiting for me across the room. I’d need some strong motivation to finish it all. My cell pinged, and that was the perfect excuse not to get started yet.
Sunday, September 1st, 2019
J: Now that she’s gone. Bring your ass outside. 5:45 PM
I stared down at the screen with a frown. How did he know that she’d left? Or that she was even here? I clutched my cell in one hand and walked over to the bay window, leaning on it to see outside.
Sure enough, a blacked-out Charger was sitting in my driveway. How many cars did he have? I debated ignoring him, but that had never once worked in the past. Plus, I maybe kinda wanted to see him.
I slid on a pair of flats, grabbed a cardigan, and made sure I had my house keys before going outside to meet him.
The weather was still warm right now, but that would change soon. I was looking forward to watching the trees transition.
I crossed in front of the car, going to the passenger side, hearing the locks pop as I rounded to the door.
“So, you’re still stalking?” I asked as soon as my ass hit the seat.
“I’ve always had someone watching you,” he replied with zero shame, running his eyes over my legs. “I like this.” He reached over and fingered my chevron dress.
“Don’t change the subject.”
He shifted into reverse and pulled out of the driveway. “You don’t sound like you care all that much.”
“I wouldn’t say I don’t care as much as I’m not surprised by it. Something’s wrong with me, obviously.”
“Why do you say that?” He turned off to go a different direction than he usually did.
“This.” I waved a hand between us. “I have no idea what this is, Jude. It’s not a typical relationship. It’s not a relationship at all. It’s you bullying me around and, for some reason, me allowing it. Liking it. I ignore all the warnings about you, completely unbothered by the truth behind them. I condone all the shit things you do. And…I like you more than I hate you. Most of the time.”
He was quiet for a few beats, taking another turn on a road I didn’t know.
“None of that’s wrong, principessa.”
“You said you were going to wreck my world. I responded by spreading my legs for you.”
His lips twitched as he fought a smile. “Even after I destroy your world, I promise I’ll be there to help you pick up the shattered pieces.”
“You’re the one who’s going to shatter it. Why would you put it back together?”
“Because I get to rebuild it however, I want.”
I crossed my arms, rubbing away the goosebumps. “And the stalking?”
“That’s not always me. I’ll reiterate, I’ve had eyes on you since we met. You should feel special. You are special. You’ve held my interest for almost three years now.”
Okay. Now that was actually disturbing. I didn’t get it either. “Why? There are plenty of other girls.”
“Not like you.”
“Gabby?” I asked with a hint of too much bitterness.
He laughed.
“Gabby was a short fling and a way to distract myself from…other things. You cannot be brushed aside or compared to any other girls, because I’ve never met anyone else like you.”
I hummed, totally melting inside as I changed the subject. “I really need to stop hopping into cars with you. Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
My idea of a surprise and his idea of a surprise were probably on two very different spectrums. Turns out, I was right.
I never thought I’d see this place again.
The brownstone looked quite sad with no one living in it, but well-tended.
“Why did you bring me here, Jude?”
“This is where we began.” He opened his car door and got out. “Come on.”
I looked around at all the trees surrounding us.
This was equivalent of being in the woods. I opened my door and followed him more than a little reluctantly.
“Do you remember it?”
“Yes,” I replied quietly, mapping out the path I’d taken that night. “Do you?”
He nodded. “I hadn’t expected him to show up at a Halloween party.”
