Page 5 of Play With Fire


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Willow opens her mouth, then closes it, then opens it again. “Wait, that doesn’t make sense.” We both start laughing again, and it’s moments like these that I’m reminded how much I need my best friend. Willow and I have always been close and if I’m being real with myself, she’s pretty much my only friend. We’ve had friendships with other people, but over the years they all come and go. Willow is the only one who has stuck around from day one.

“I don’t even know why I care so much. I’m pretty sure the guy can’t even stand me.” Willow looks at me like I’ve completely lost my mind.

“Seriously?”

“What? He leaves the second I get even slightly close to him, and I’ve literally only heard him speak like five times, I swear.”

“You are so naive.” Willow shakes her head as if she’s truly disappointed in me.

“What the hell does that mean?” She throws her hands in the air, and I start to laugh again at her dramatics.

“He is so into you, An! Like majorly!” I just stare at her, pretty damn sure my best friend has officially lost her mind. I could argue, tell her that Hunter does not come off as the type of guy to beat around the bush. He comes off as the type of man that would just take what he wants. If he was into me, he would throw me over his shoulder and take me back to his place. The thought alone of something like that happening has my thighs squeezing together beneath the table. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t fantasized more than once about Hunter just taking what he wants from me. But it’s become painfully obvious that he’s not interested.

I shake my head at Willow, brushing her words away. “It’s pointless anyways. He works for my brother, so even if he was interested, I doubt he'd even go there.” The excitement over our conversation leaves Willow instantly, and she slouches down in her seat.

“Men suck.” I burst out laughing again and it only takes a second for her to join in.

* * *

We’re practically stumbling back to my apartment after dinner, leaning on each other and laughing about the most random things. It reminds me of many nights back in Boston when we did just this. We’d go out to dinner, drink a little too much, go back home and watch trashy TV. I always loved having Willow live with me. I knew from the beginning when she first moved in, that she needed to for financial reasons. I didn’t know the extent of her financial issues due to her mother, but I knew she struggled even though she shouldn’t. Even though her moving in was to help with expenses, it was just as much for me as it was her. I hated living alone. I hated coming home after a long day at work to an empty house and no one to talk to. I still do hate it, but I didn’t want to live with my brother and all of his employees.

We get to my apartment building and make our way up the stairs with slow and stumbling steps. My building is really old, and of all the renovations they’ve done on it, putting an elevator in has never been one of them. When I first moved in, there was a petition going around to get management to finally do it, but I have no idea what actually happened with that. I don’t usually mind taking the stairs. It’s a pain when I go grocery shopping and have to carry my bags up five flights of stairs. But on a day-to-day basis, it’s not so bad.

“God, I really hate your apartment.” Willow slumps against the wall when we finally get to my floor, and I laugh. Of course, climbing them was a little more difficult this time since we’re pretty much completely wasted

“I kind of love it.” I shrug and continue to my apartment further down the hall. There are only four units on each floor, which makes it kind of nice. There aren’t a bunch of people traipsing around all the time at all hours. Especially with living on the top floor. It’s pretty quiet.

Willow groans but follows after me as I walk down the hall. Both of our steps begin to slow though, the closer we get to my door.

“Um, An? What is that?” We both stand in front of the door, confusion swimming through me as I see the knife stabbed into my door, holding a piece of paper to it.

You’re mine

I lift my hand to grab the note, but Willow’s hand on my arm stops me. “You probably shouldn’t touch it.” I nod, but don’t bother looking at her. I can’t take my eyes off the two words in front of me. Two words, but they’re terrifying as hell in their delivery. I see motion from Willow in the corner of my eye and I already know she’s pulling her phone out to call Alec. I don’t hear what she says since she’s speaking in a hushed tone, but it’s less than a minute later when she’s hanging up with him.

“Alec says to wait in the hall, they’ll be here in a few minutes.” That time frame sticks out to me and I finally turn to face her.

“A few minutes?”

“He said they just finished up with something. So they aren’t far away.” I nod in understanding. I’m sure he’s with Tanner or Wyatt, that’s usually who he’s with if he’s not with Willow. I let out a loud breath and slump against the wall. I have no idea what the hell is going on right now, but I think I can safely say we won’t be going inside to watch trashy teen dramas.

The night is officially ruined.

* * *

It really was only a few minutes before Alec came pounding up the stairs of my apartment building. I expected that. I also expected Tanner to be right behind him. What I didn’t expect was Hunter following right on their heels. They all came storming up, looking pissed as hell, and now for some reason I feel like a teenager getting scolded by their parents.

“You really have no idea who this could be?” Alec asks incredulously, and I force myself not to snap at him. I know how my brother can be, and overprotective is an understatement. I remind myself that this is basically what I signed up for when I chose to move closer to him. It was one hundred percent my idea to do it, so I really can’t complain. But moments like this, it takes everything in me not to lose it.

“I really don’t, Alec.” I let out a long sigh and settle in further onto my couch.

“Think harder!” He practically roars. Willow is quick to place her hand on his arm. She speaks softly, but I can still hear her.

“Babe, I really don’t think yelling is the right strategy here.” He turns his harsh gaze on his girlfriend, but she doesn’t cower even a little bit. Being with Alec has turned her into practically a different person, the kind of person you don’t want to mess with. She doesn’t take shit anymore.

“And what exactly do you think is the rightstrategyhere, Willow tree? Should we just pour a few more margarita’s and braid each other’s hair?” Willow pulls her hand from Alec in order to fold her arms and glare at him even harder. I feel bad that they’re essentially turning against each other right now, but Alec is being a dick.

“Are you seriously trying to blame us for this? Clearly Anya has a stalker. I highly doubt that’s something she asked for!” Alec opens his mouth again, probably to argue back, but he’s cut off by a deep, unexpected voice.

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