That thought reminds me of the fireworks that erupted in the middle of the day in downtown Detroit. Hutch’s lips on mine. They were the softest male lips I have ever kissed. Just enough plumpness that I didn’t feel like I was kissing the grim reaper but not enough to feel like he’s suffocating me. He tasted like his coffee from this morning. He didn’t want to shove his tongueso far down my throat that I was going to gag on it. It was just possessive enough with his hands on the back of my neck.
Suddenly I feel water running over my hands. I zoned out so long that my water bottle is officially overflowing. I dump a little of the cold water out and head over to the cabinet to grab an electrolyte packet. Dumping the fruity powder in the bottle, closing the lid and giving it a good shake. I go back to my room and change into some workout clothes. The one nice thing about this complex is there is a really nice gym on the ground floor.
Grabbing a pair of black leggings and a black cropped workout top I change quickly and throw my hair up into a ponytail before grabbing my running shoes off the rack and tying them up. I grab my keys, headphones and the water bottle and head for the gym. Nothing can right my brain more than a good run and some weights.
I am finishing up a two mile run on the treadmill, the music taking my brain away from the chaos that is happening outside of this gym. I have spent the last hour and a half not worried about the security for the game, having to spend two whole days with my own personal angel and demon. I am one-thousand percent laying the ground rules when I see them tomorrow. This is not happening. It can’t. My phone vibrates on the treadmill as soon as it switches over to cooldown mode.
Blue: You cannot ignore me forever, Little Witch.
FUCK. This boy is relentless. Can I call him a boy? They are both older than me.
Who doesn’t love a little age gap?
Blue: You will have to see us both tomorrow.
Unknown Number: Come out, come out wherever you are, Little Fox.
Oh, Jesus, Hutch has Demitri on this now too. I can tell it’s him from the “Little Fox” nickname he has taken to calling me.I cannot do this right now.I put my phone on “do not disturb” before I clean off my machine and grab a yoga mat to stretch out. Switching my music over to the audiobook I was listening to. I get lost in a fictional world while I finish cooling down and stretching my muscles out.
Heading back up to my apartment, I have the lingering feeling of eyes watching me. Knowing it has got to be my paranoia getting the best of me, I take my headphones out of my ears and turn the book off. I want to keep all my senses open until I get back into my locked apartment. I stick my keys in the lock but I don’t hear the lock disengage.
Weird.
Walking into the apartment, everything seems normal. Nothing seems out of place or like it was disturbed. I take my phone out of my pocket, loving that they are putting pockets on leggings now. Pulling up my favorites list from my contacts and hitting Kyra’s FaceTime number.
“Hey, girly!” Her smile appears on my screen. She radiates sunshine no matter what she is doing.
“There is my bestie.” I can’t help but smile back at her. “So, girl, do I have the tea for you today.”
”Ooooh, do tell?” Her face gets closer to the camera, like, if she gets closer she will be able to get more out of me. Her blonde hair falls in her face while she rests her cheek on her fist.
“Wanna meet me for lunch and drinks? Will Mike let you out of the house?”
”He’s at work. Wanna say in like an hour? The diner we love?” She giggles, knowing that if Mike was home this would never happen. I have never liked him, but she met him while I was deployed, and by the time I came home there was nothing I was able to do to change her mind. Kyra is just as stubborn as me and if I had tried to force her hand she would have clung to the asshole even more.
Thank goodness, they don’t have money to plan a wedding, or else he would probably be her husband by now. But for the time being, they are both “happy” engaged.
“See you there. Love ya.” I hang up the Facetime, and go hop in the shower to get ready to head to lunch.
CHAPTER 12
NYX
Ipull up outside the cute diner. It is a bright red building with all chrome accents. It feels like it was transported out of the 1950s. Kyra and I love this place. It doesn't matter if we are sober or drunk. Granted, the chicken tenders here are absolute perfection after a night at the bar. I see her pull in the parking lot with her adorable Barbie Jeep, as I call it. She still has the soft top on soaking up the last bit of warmth in Michigan during October. The jeep is hot pink, with neon blue accents, mud tires have replaced the stock tires, and she is the cutest little ray of country sunshine shining from the driver's seat. I swear she is just my best friend.
“Nyx!!!” I hear her squeal from her Jeep. She parks, and jumps out of the seat, running over to me and giving me a big hug. No matter that I just saw her a few days ago, she greets me the exact same way every time. A giant smile on her face and a big hug.
“Hey!” I try to show an ounce of her enthusiasm, but with everything running through my mind currently. I seem like I am not excited to see her.
“Okay, you need to spill. It looks like someone kicked your cat.”
“Hey, don’t put that kind of energy out in the universe! No one is kicking Midnight.” I gently slap her arm.
“It was just a phrase, Nyx. So let’s get a table so you can spill what’s got you so twisted up.” Walking into the familiar building, we are greeted by an older lady, Sheila according to her name tag, gray hair slicked back into a bun.
“Hello, girls. Just the two of you this afternoon?” Sheila asks.
“Yes, please. Can we get the booth in the front corner if it is open? It is our favorite table.” Kyra giggles. Her blonde bob bouncing just above her shoulders. I follow behind them while Sheila leads us over to our booth. Sliding into the red pleather seats, she sets two menus on the table and leaves us.
