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Nobody stays with me.

Either she gave up when I found the tracker… or she's better than she was yesterday.

I'm not sure which possibility bothers me more.

That's a lie. Neither bothers me.

I'm fucking impressed.

“Jesus Christ.”

I take another unnecessary turn before finally heading toward the rental.

Nobody follows.

This time I'm certain she didn't find the house.

Good.

I don't need Chaos showing up whenever she feels like it.

I don't need her knowing where I sleep.

Where I keep my weapons.

Where I come back after a job.

Where I⁠—

My jaw tightens.

The house. Hollow Creek. It’s temporary.

I don't know why the thought irritates me.

I turn into the driveway and hit the garage-door opener.

The door rises.

I pull inside and wait until it's completely closed behind me before shutting off the engine.

Silence settles around me.

I head inside and pull out the sticky notes from my pocket. But I don’t throw them away.

Instead, I put them on the kitchen counter.

I read the first one.

I like your laugh. You should do it more.

I stare at the words again.

I like your laugh. You should do it more.

I learned a long time ago that people don't come looking for me.

My parents didn't when I left home. Neither did anyone else.