Page 132 of XO Karma

my dick in a box?

Me

or a head…

My phone buzzes, and I answer immediately.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Aster asks, muffled chatter in the background.

“I just received another creepy gift,” I say quietly, peeking at it from the door frame of my bathroom. Should I tell Liam too? There would be so much to explain.

“Another?” he repeats, and I realize my slip. “What do you mean, another?” I say nothing. “Where did it come from?”

“I was hoping you could tell me.”

“How should I know?” he asks over the familiar ding of the diner door.

“Well, you’re very much the ‘touch her and die’ type.”

“I promise”—keys jingle through the line—“it was not me. I’ve been at Dahlia’s all day, writing an article.” My tongue is tied as I stare at the head. “Babe?”

“Yes,” I force out.

“I’ll be there in five.”

The line cuts, and a few minutes later, my other phone rings, Unknown on the caller ID. Tears sting my eyes. I can’t handle this anymore.

With frustrated anger thrumming through me, I answer the call.

“Did you get my gift?” they say, voice distorted and robotic as usual.

“Why would you do this?” I choke out.

“Isn’t it obvious? To protect you. And we both know he more than deserved it.”

My fists clench at my sides, nails imprinting tiny moons into my palms. “I don’t need your protection.”

“It definitely seemed like you did last night.”

“You were there?” Silence fills the line, and rage consumes me. “If you were there, that means you saw what was happening. Yet you did nothing while Aster protected me.”

“I took care of the problem permanently.”

“Yeah, and I never asked you to do that,” I practically shout, tone dripping in frustration as tears well in my eyes. “I don’t need or want your help. Don’t ever call me again!”

I smash the end call button, and the phone rings immediately: Unknown.

I ignore the call.

It rings again.

Ignored.

Rings again.

Ignored.

Rings again.