This, right here, is my freedom. The open road, the vibrations of the bike thrumming through my body. It's the only thing that clears my head, makes me feel like I can breathe again.
I take the long way home, savoring the winding roads, the cool night air. By the time I’m back in Rosewood Bay, I'm even more settled, more like myself.
Turning down the street toward my apartment, I pass a minivan that looks just like the one that was parked outside the pub. But it’s a common model.
If ever the world created an ugly model of car it would have to be the minivan. They give me the ick.
After parking my bike in the lot behind the building, I head upstairs and unlock the door. The moment I flick on the light, a flash of white catches my eye as it makes its way under the couch.
She’s hiding again. From me. I hate this.
Figured by now, she’d settle in. I miss my sweet girl. Miss her cuddling up to me as I read before bed.
Fucking Noah.
Raking my hands through my hair, I head to the window to pull the blinds down for the night. But as I reach for the cord, I freeze. Someone’s on the roof of the building across the street. And they’re staring directly at me.
Or at least I think they are.
Can’t tell exactly with the mask they’re wearing—a crystalline mask, decorated like a demonic nun with black, soulless eyes that seem to bore into me.
Fear lances through me, cold and sharp, when the person waves at me, each finger curling slowly.
He found me.
But the fear is quickly overtaken by a deep, burning rage. I close the blinds with a sharp yank, turn off the lights, and stride out of my apartment, slamming the door behind me.
One way or another, this ends tonight.
Chapter 8
Viktor
The corner of my mouth tugs into a smirk. Yeah, I wanted Becks to see me, especially after I had to sit and watch him and Rinne getting all cozy together. They looked so comfortable, leaning in close to talk. Then Becks started laughing. And smiling.
My skin heats, jaw clenching.
I know Coach Rinne’s happily married, but seeing them together, all buddy-buddy, it just rubbed me the wrong way.
I barely kept my ass in the minivan, fighting off the urge to march over and stake my claim. To sit in Beckett's lap and show Rinne exactly who he belongs to.
Beckett is mine. Mine to want, mine to obsess over. And I don't share.
So, I figured I’d let my grumpy coach catch me watching him. Not surprised he closed the shades. He’s probably freaked out. What I don’t understand is why he shut the lights.
Either way, doubt I’ll be seeing anything for the rest of the night. Might as well go home and come up with a new game plan to win him over.
I walk back to the fire escape, the cool night air whipping around me, my mask firmly in place. From far away, everyone thinks this thing is made of crystals, and it was when I first purchased it. But then I had them replaced with diamonds. Because I can.
Had the base waterproofed first. Glad I did with how many times I’ve had to wash blood off it.
My feet barely hit the pavement after I get to the bottom of the fire escape when the back of my hoodie is yanked and I’m slammed into the opposite wall face first, a large body pinning me.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Noah?” Beckett’s voice is low, dangerous, his hot breath skating over my ear.
Noah?
Who the fuck is Noah?
