Something told me to check my mirrors. To really scrutinize the cars behind me. At first, I didn’t notice anything amiss. Cars surrounded me but everyone seemed involved in their own little bubble. Then I spotted him.
A black Mustang three cars behind me caught my eye. Stray was in the driver’s seat. What the hell was this idiot doing? Was he seriously following me home?
At first, I was afraid. This was getting out of hand. After the other night at the rave, I’d figured he had some weird crush on me or something. Now I was starting to worry it was more like an obsession.
I kept driving, intent on going home and running up to my apartment, locking myself inside. Would that even stop a guy like Stray? A Graveyard King.
On a sudden whim, I took a left at the next set of lights. This wasn’t my usual way home. Maybe taking a little detour would throw Stray off or help me lose him. To my surprise, he took the same turn, keeping me in view. After taking several more random turns, I began to grow frustrated. Stray was still behind me.
What was wrong with this guy? Didn’t he understand that I wanted nothing to do with him? Sure, under the influence of alcohol and narcotics I may have admitted to finding him attractive. I may have even kissed him back. But he kissed me first, and I couldn’t be held responsible for what I said and did under the influence.
The longer Stray followed me the more annoyed I grew. Finally, I gave up on losing him and headed for home. When I saw him run a red light to keep up with me, I knew for sure he was crazy.
When I reached my building, I parked in my usual spot in the back lot. For a few minutes, I simply sat there, gathering myself before I left the car. Something told me that Stray would be parked out front where he could see my balcony and apartment windows. All fired up, I got out of the car and stormed around the building to the front.
Just as I expected, his Mustang sat parked next to the sidewalk. I stomped over to the car, ready to let him have it. He must have seen me coming because his door opened and he got out.
“What the hell is wrong with you? Are you mentally ill? Do I need to call the cops? Why do you keep following me everywhere, Stray?” My voice rose with each question until I was almost shouting.
He leaned against the side of the car, hands stuffed in his pockets. “Which question do you want me to answer first?”
“This isn’t funny. Why are you everywhere I look lately?” I tightly gripped my bag, strongly considering using it as a weapon.
Stray appeared completely unruffled. Like he wasn’t the least bit fazed by my outburst. “Just keeping an eye on you, strawberry. You seem like the type to do something reckless and get yourself killed.”
“And you think that it’s up to you to keep that from happening?” I gaped at him, aghast. “I didn’t ask you for help at the rave. I’m not asking for help now. I’m a grown ass woman capable of taking care of myself.”
“That’s not how it looked to me the other night. Seems to me like you’re on a mission to self-destruct, and nobody knows but me.” Stray ran a hand through his devil-may-care hair. The simplest of actions. God why did it have to be so hot? Why did he have to be so maddeningly good looking?
“Even if I am, it’s none of your business. This is starting to get creepy.” The way he watched me left me unnerved. Maybe I shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss him. A guy like Stray Hurley could definitely prove to be a threat.
“What’s wrong with that?” he asked, ogling my skirt. “I thought you liked that kind of thing. I’ve seen you taunt danger. Why would it bother you now?”
I hated so much that he’d been at the rave that night. That he’d seen me accept the drink, knowing it was drugged. No doubt it had been a reckless move on my part.
“That was different,” I insisted. “I was perfectly in control of that situation. I never needed you to step in.”
Stray pushed away from the car, taking a few steps toward me. “So that’s the problem. You thought you were in control thatnight and you know that you’re not in control with me. Does it scare you, Codie? Do you like it?”
A knowing grin lit up his face. He continued to advance on me, making me take a few steps back. I really didn’t know him at all. I had no idea what he was capable of.
The fear forming in the pit of my stomach blossomed into excitement. Adrenaline hit me hard and fast. A sudden rush that got my heart racing. I couldn’t deny how much I enjoyed that feeling. Stray knew it too. Damn him.
Forcing my feet to stay put, I watched him draw closer. There was an intimidating aura to the way he carried himself. Like he could do just about anything. According to Storm, this man had helped harvest organs. He’d killed people. Maybe I should take him a little more seriously.
“I don’t like it,” I said, almost choking on the swell of adrenaline that grew with every step he took. “I don’t like you, Stray. You and me are never going to happen.”
His amusement faded, chasing the smile from his face. Something sinister took its place. I had the sudden urge to turn and run. Instead, I stood there frozen, staring at him.
Stray twisted a lock of my hair around his finger. Leaning in close, he said, “Liar. How bad do you want to know all the ways I could hurt you? I bet your panties are so wet right now.”
My shock at his brazen remark made me react without thinking. There was a loud crack as my hand connected with his face. Stray jerked back in surprise. I took the opportunity to run for the door without looking back. Once I was safely inside the building with a locked door between us, I glanced back to find him standing there on the sidewalk, staring after me.
I didn’t hang around. Since I didn’t want to wait around for the elevator, I hightailed it up the stairs, taking them two at a time. By the time I reached my floor, I was breathless and shaky.Slipping into my apartment, I locked the door behind me and crept over to the window to peer out.
Stray was still down there. Standing next to his car. He stared at his phone while smoking a joint. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry to leave.
I moved away from the window before he glanced up and saw me. Trying to forget about him entirely, I deposited my bag in my bedroom and changed into a comfortable pair of cotton PJ pants and a tank top. I wouldn’t be going out again today. Sometimes comfort ruled over fashion.
