“Well, well,” I said, mouth curling into something between a smile and a dare. “Didn’t think they’d let you out this soon. You bite your way through the padded walls?”
An instant flash of rage took over her as she pinned me against the wall, a sharp laugh that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Still a cocky twat I see.”
I instantly bit back, “Still crazy I see?” my eyes trying desperately to focus on hers.
“Can fucking show you if you want? Again.” Her feeble attempt at intimidation just fuelled my inner fire, biting down on my bottom lip in amusement.
“You break out of the psych ward so that we can play games again?” We stood there for a moment, her forearm forced against my chest as my laughter built inside me. “I almost missed you,” raising my hand, pinching my thumb andforefinger closer together, “Almost.” She tilted her head, that dangerous little smirk playing on her lips again.
As she looked down the corridor towards some other beefcake, I tilted my head, trying to recapture her attention, “Did you miss me?”
“Don’t flatter yourself Screech. I’m not here for round two.”
She stepped back, eyes never leaving mine.
“Aww, spoil sport. Here’s me thinking you enjoyed our little games,” my laughter nails on a chalkboard to her. She turned from me, glancing over her shoulder as she headed back towards the bar, daring me to follow or warning me not to. Either way, I was already hooked and wasn’t going to miss my chance at a perfect game.
My ears were hammering as the music from the bar pounded once again. She was already weaving through the crowd by the time I got there. I didn’t call her name; she wouldn’t have heard me even if I did. I just followed a few paces back, like we were picking up on an old rhythm we hadn’t rehearsed in months. I staggered through the haze of bodies and smoke, my shoulders bumping into people as I passed them.
As I reached a clearing, she had vanished, had she slipped out the side exit into the alley? Either way, I wasn’t about to give up on the chase this early on. The thrill of her returning like a bull in a china shop coursed through me as I pushed on towards the alley. The cold hit me like a slap to the face, my head buzzing from the alcohol, and my pulse singing with adrenaline. The door clanged behind me, and there she was, standing over the very same beefcake from earlier, blood now dripping down the side of his face. Pained groans left him as she gripped his head in one hand and a brick in the other. My brow creased in confusion, not fully trusting the scene I was gazing upon. The alcohol running rampant in my blood distorting my vision, but I swear I saw tendrils of smoke curling its way around her.
She wasn’t smoking.
Fuck, was I really that wasted, hallucinating weird shit, or had that dodgy barmaid slipped something in my drink? Shaking my head, my eyes fell onto her, glancing back at me, frustration etched into her face. Did my words so easily trigger her that she thought taking it out on this guy would help get out her anger?
I should have been glad it wasn’t me on the other end of that brick, my head already reeling. I called out to her, “What are ya doing? Do I need to call for the men in white coats?” A slight chuckle left me as I continued my taunts towards her. I could tell I’d ruined her fun, taking all enjoyment out of it, whatever the fuck it was. An angered grunt left her as she then dismissed the guy, allowing him to stumble his way out of the alley.
She turned back, jabbing a finger towards me, accompanied with challenging eyes that brought the best and the worst out of me.
Her voice was low and sharp, “You seem to have a real fucking knack for distracting me.”
My smile grew on my face, “Is that why I’m still alive? Did I distract you? I know you hesitated—”
“Why you following me Screech?” A deep exhale left her as she situated herself against the alleyway wall, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. Thought I’d try my luck, after all, she’d nicked a fair few of mine when we were in Juvie.
“Got one of those for me?”
“No. Answer the question.” I took a step forward, closer to her, tucking my hands into my jeans, swaying on the spot.
“Maybe I was hoping we could pick up where we left off.”
She scoffed as she looked down the alley, pushing herself from the wall and turning to head towards the street, “Well, I’m going to have to disappoint … Sorry.” Her mouth twitched as my eyes ran over her.
This wasn’t how this was going to end, throwing me aside like a toy she no longer found enjoyment in. I reached out as she passed me, wrapping my hand around her upper arm, my quick motion startling her as she yanked it from my grip, scowling at me.
Her eyes narrowed to me, “You really think you’re still in some sort of control, don’t you?”
I tilted my head, inching even closer, drunk enough to forget caution. “I think we never finished what we started.”
Another beat of silence. Her jaw worked slightly, and for a moment, I couldn’t tell if she was going to punch me or kiss me. But then she stepped forward, grabbed my shirt, and yanked me so close I could see the threads in her lashes. Her vanilla scent spilling from her.
“You wanna play? Fine, but be careful what you wish for Screech. It might be too late before you realise, we aren’t on a level playing field.” She whispered, voice low and dangerous as she pushed me back from her, releasing her grip.
The alcohol in my blood made me reckless, the kind that makes you forget the weight of the past and lean right into the fire. I watched her walk back towards the door, her hand pausing on the handle as she glanced back at me.
“Happy birthday prick.” Yanking it open and slamming the door shut behind her. I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself. Had she remembered my birthday? The shrink's office, she remembered my fucking birthday from my file? Who remembers that shit. She hadn’t changed a bit.
