“Gee, thanks,” I mutter, face flushing bright red at the ridiculous nickname.
“For fuck’s sake, Len, leave him alone.”
“Sorry, sorry.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Kane rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling, and I feel myself smiling, too—until my phone starts buzzing.
My smile falls, but I ignore the ringing until it becomes impossible because everyone else starts to notice it as well.
“Yo, who’s callin’ you? They’re persistent.”
“Probably just my mom,” I mutter, face flushing with the lie.
“I didn’t think you were talking to them,” Kane says, casually calling me out.
“I don’t, but she’s just… well…”
“Hmm, yeah, I get that,” he says with a soft smile just as the vibration ceases for the second time. I breathe a little easier thinking it’s finally over—until it starts all over.
I nearly groan aloud.
“Might wanna get that—must be important,” he says, never taking his eyes off me.
“Must be,” I murmur in return. “I’ll be right back.” And then, I push to my feet but don’t pull my phone out of my pocket until I’ve locked myself in the bathroom on the main floor and have the sink water running to muffle some of the conversation about to occur.
“What do you want?” I snap.
“My mouse is feisty tonight. I love it,” Static drawls lazily, and I hate the way my body breaks out in chills.
“There’s nothing to—” I start to argue before I stop, realizing it’s pointless with him. With a sigh, I start again, calmer this time. “What do you want, Static?”
“Ohh, I like this side of you, darlin’. You sound so good… What’s gotten into you?”
My molars lock together in irritation. “I’m just tired of the games. Tired in general. So, if you could please just answer my question.”
There’s a long pause. Long enough I think he’s hung up, but when I pull the phone from my ear, I notice it’s still connected. He starts talking before it’s back against my ear.
“You love the games, my little prize. Because you want to be won.”
I blow out a breath of irritation. “What does that even mean?”
“Soon,” is all he says. Then, “I have a proposition for you.”
“A proposition,” I deadpan.
“Yes.”
“And what would that be?” I don’t even know why I’m indulging in mystalker’sfantasies right now. This is absolutely crazy… but curiosity killed the cat, as they say…
There’s a long pause again, where all I can hear is Static’s unsteady breathing. It makes me feel better knowing he’s feeling just as unsettled as I am. “Come see me at Mayhem again.”
My blood runs cold. “What?”
“I want you at Mayhem again. Back where we first met. I want the chase, the catch, thetime with you…Will you give that to me?”
“Why the hell would I do that? I don’t even know you!” I don’t realize I’m shouting until there’s a knock on the door. “Hold on. Just a sec,” I tell whoever knocked before turning around and spitting into the phone. “I don’t know you, you freakingpsycho.And you expect me to just make myself that vulnerableagain?You’re out of your mind!”
“So… if you knew me a bit better, you’d consider it?”
