“You really want to do this here?”
Avalanche shrugged. “Do you?”
You have been reading way too much dark romance. This right here is called a red flag. They are literally having pissing match over who gets to walk you home. This isnotattractive. This is a red flag.
That was a good point from my inner voice, it really was. Couldn’t make myself care though. I was in every reader’s wet dream, and I was living for it. Oops.
“While I’m greatly enjoying whateverthisis. It’s unnecessary. I am perfectly capable of walking myself home. Thanks.”
“I wasn’t suggesting you weren’t capable.” Avalanche’s gaze met mine. “I was simply offering my company.”
“Don’t need it. Thanks, though.” I looked back at Hemlock and smiled. “Have a good night. I might end up calling you when I get back to work on Friday. There’s this kid at 65th, he’s obsessed with you. Let me double-check with him and get back to you with a date. Sound good?”
“You can call me any time, Sunshine. Especially late at night, if you’re feeling lonely.” He winked before strolling away. He didn’t get more than a few steps before he slipped and nearly went face-first into a garbage can.
“You should watch your step there, Hemmy. It’s getting colder and you never know when you’ll hit a patch of ice.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing at the scowl Hemlock threw at the ice culprit.
“You should watch what you drink, Av. Never know what will find its way into your cup.”
“It’s so cute that you think you can threaten me.” He grinned. “Have a good night, Hemmy.”
Hemlock shook his head, muttering to himself as he disappeared around the corner. When he was completely out a view, Avalanche took off his mask and threw on a black hoody over his signature jacket, hair going back to his usual black.
“So you have two options. One, you let me walk you home. Two, I stalk you home. Which would you prefer?”
I laughed to cover up the blood rushing to my cheeks.
“Isn’t stalking supposed to be anonymous or something?”
He shrugged. “I don’t let myself get bogged down by rules. I figure it’s less creepy if you know about it. So what will it be?”
“You can walk with me.”
“Excellent. After you,” he said with a grin, waving me to pass him.
I rolled my eyes as he fell into step with me.
“You’re not worried about him coming back and learning your secret?”
He raised his eyebrow so I gestured to his head.
“Your hair thing.”
“I’ll know if he comes back.”
“How’s that?”
“Ah, that’s not a secret I’m willing to part with yet.”
“If—”
“Give me your wallet.”
I was cut off when a guy hopped up on crack jumped into our path with a switchblade clutched in his hand.
I scoffed. “You’re telling me that you’ll know if Hemlock comes around but you had no idea a crackhead was waiting around the corner? Unbelievable.”
