When I walk out of Gio’s house a few hours later, taking the long route down to my black Lamborghini Urus, I pull out my phone, texting the group chat with the girls in it. They don’t know much about what is going on with my family, other than my suspicions with my dad’s hospitalisation. I’m sure they’ve picked up on the true crime documentaries I’ve been watching recently too.
Maybe that’s why I swear I hear a branch snap from a nearby tree. My brain tells me that someone is here, lurking somewhere. Watching. But my heart tells me that isn’t true. If I can tell myself over and over that it will be fine, I’ll start to believe it. I know I will. I take a quick look around and it’s all woods. No one is coming for me. I’m safe.
I glance back down at my phone.
STARBUCKS LOVERS
ME: OMG. Guys. I feel like I’m in an episode of HTGAWM!!
KEN:Who did you kill?
ME: No one. Jesus, Ken. Just LOTS of family drama. Wanna come investigate?
KEN: Can’t. Shelbia has us under a ball and chain.
ME: Boooo. What about Wrenny?
KEN: Dunno. Check her location.
When I’m strapped into my car, driving the twenty minute drive from Gio’s house to our apartment near campus, I hook my phone up to the speaker, double checking Wren’s location. She’s at home, which means I’ll be able to coax her into coming with me to stakeout the store. I know Gio didn’t tell me to go, but he also didn’t tell menotto go so…I’m going to go.
Wren answers on the fifth ring.
“Wren!” I basically squeal when the call connects, stopping at the stop sign. “Oh my god, you're not going to believe this.”
“What is it?” she asks. She's breathing really fast and hard, like she sprinted up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Weird. But I’m too excited, so I continue.
“You know when I was saying that I hoped the stuff with my dad could turn into a real mystery? Well, I think it just has,” I say, my voice an octave higher than usual.
“Oh,”she says. Strange. She takes in another deep breath. “That’s- That’s really great, Scar."
This time I don’t jump at the chance to speak and that's when I hear it. The rhythmic sound of squeaking followed by the sound of thumping like something is banging against a hard surface. No way…
No.
Way.
“Wren, darling?” I ask sweetly, smirking when I get a sharp inhale as a response.
“Mm hm?"
“Are you having sex right now?”
“No,”she cries, and it sounds awfully similar to a moan.She's panting harder now. “Of course, I’m not…Fuck,Mi-"
Anddd, that's my que.
I end the call, shuddering. Unfortunately, that is not the first time this has happened. She’ll deny it every time, but I’m not that stupid.
I’m happy though; she's really grown into herself this past year and I love to see it. I'm still smiling when I pull into my parking space outside the apartment, hoping that they've finished so I can grab my friend and take her on this adventure.
My smile drops when I get to my apartment door. Not only can I stillhear the bed hitting the wall, but Evan is also standing outside my door.
He’s dressed in his usual attire; black dress pants, a crisp white shirt and a black tie hanging lazily from his neck. It’s never actually tied and it pisses me off every time. If you’re going to wear a tie,tie it.I can’t tell if he enjoys dressing like he goes to a private prep school or if this is his only choice in outfit. Either way, it’s ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as him standing outside the door, ankles crossed, and his hands shoved into his pockets.
He’s been here a few times since our Friendsmas meal that he was invited to by proxy and countless game nights that bring out the worst in us.
He’s not said anything since I appeared in front of him, just staring because apparently that’s his thing now. Great.
