26. Drew
DREW
I head into the house, surprised Ivy and Sebastian aren’t waiting to interrogate me since I didn’t come home last night.
But the house is silent.
At least, until a judgmental Mr. Pickles strolls up to me, sits down, and meows.
“Hello to you, too.”
Mr. Pickles slowly blinks.
I squat down and reach out a hand to pet him. He sniffs, then hisses.
I chuckle. “Ahh. You smell Violet.” I cock my head. “Are you mad she didn’t come in?”
Mr. Pickles glares, sticks his nose in the air, and stalks off with his tail high like I’m a traitor.
“You started this,” I yell to his retreating back. “You chose Violet over me.”
He looks over his shoulder, yellowish-green eyes shooting daggers at me.
If looks could kill.
I sigh, then head into the kitchen and grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
As I’m drinking, I realize I forgot my coat and tie at Violet’s.
At least it’ll give me an excuse to see her again.
Hopefully she doesn't burn it after my mishap this morning.
I lower the bottle with a sigh.
Way to go, Drew. Screwing things up with the only woman who's ever looked at me like I mattered.
...Like I was hers.
I blink.
What the hell?
I'm not hers.
...Right?
I need a shower. That’ll help clear my head.
I stroll through the door—and scream.
“Jesus.” I clutch my chest, heart furiously pounding. “What the hell, Mr. Pickles?”
He lifts his head, the mouse dangling from his mouth.
I’m about to melt the fuck down when I see it.
“It’s a damn toy?” I screech. “You almost gave me a heart attack!”
Mr. Pickles jumps down from my bed, still carrying the mouse, looking pleased with himself.
I scrub a hand down my face and begin unbuttoning my shirt, muttering to myself the whole time.
As I step beneath the spray, a ridiculous thought crosses my mind.
Maybe Violet has some kind of psychic connection with Mr. Pickles and sent him to punish me for screwing things up this morning.
I laugh.
I'm losing my damn mind.
I pace back and forth, glancing out the window each time I turn to face it.
I'm not being watched.
I don't feel it.
And somehow... I'm disappointed.
That should concern me.
My nerves are jumping so badly I want to crawl out of my skin.
I head toward the kitchen, pausing at the patio doors.
Nothing unusual.
Same old boring backyard.
Normally, it gives me comfort.
But not today.
My phone beeps. I yank it from my pocket, my palms sweaty.
But it’s not her.
Sebastian: Ivy and I are rug shopping in the city. Be home for dinner.
I stare at it.
I don’t know if it’s a blessing... or a curse.
Do I want to be alone? Or do I want to talk to someone?
I head back to my room, throw on a pair of sneakers, and head out the door, pointing at Mr. Pickles and telling the psycho cat to behave.
And then, I’m jogging across the backyard to the woods.
Why?
No damn clue.
I must’ve lost my fucking mind somewhere between dinner last night and messing everything up this morning.
I’m already panting as I hit the woods.
You can do this.
Endorphins. Remember?
My pace is much slower than when I ran with my brother, but at least I’m not halfway to dying, so that’s a plus.
As I run, my mind decides to entertain me with a movie montage consisting of Violet and me from the moment we first met at the bar until now.
That nagging feeling returns.
There’s something familiar about her.
But I’d remember if I met her before.
Right?
I shake it off, exchanging it for an analysis of every moment between us.
And I realize one very important thing: I miss her. She's become the best part of my day.
I think about her when we're apart. Smile every time her name lights up my phone.
And when I'm with her... I feel seen.
I wipe the sweat from my brow and finally look up. The sun sparkles off the crystal blue waters ahead.
Oh my gosh. I made it to the lake.
I’ve never run this far before.
Time to go back.
I turn around, and that’s when I see it.
A glimpse of something ahead that darted behind a tree.
I blink, trying to process it.
It’s too big to be an animal. But if it’s a person, why would they have jumped behind a tree?
“Hello?” I call out, my voice breathless from running. “Is someone there?”
My focus is on the tree in the distance. The one I have a sneaking suspicion someone is hiding behind.
I swallow hard. What if it’s someone who intends to harm me?
Someone huge like... Smoke.
My mouth dries.
My legs slow as I stare at the tree just ahead.
What if it’s Smoke?
I haven’t seen him since the bar.
Oh God. Now I’m writing a murder documentary in my head.
My breath heaves from my lungs.
I take another step... and my foot hits something hard.
I look down at the rock jutting from the earth.
My arms flail for balance.
I'm pretty sure I'm about to eat dirt... and immediately get murdered by whatever psycho is hiding behind that tree.
By some miracle, I manage to stay upright, stumbling a few feet, tree bark beneath my fingers.
The tree saved me.
I cling to it, panting from fear and exertion.
Calm down. Panicking does no good.
Think of that movie you watched with Violet.
Her face flashes through my mind.
My fingers dig into the rough bark until my breathing settles.
Stop being such a chicken. Go investigate.
Sending up a quick prayer, I release the tree and head toward the ominous one in front of me.
My shoes crunch over foliage, announcing my approach.
One...
Two...
I spring forward, fists held up like I’m ready to box someone…
But there’s no one there.
My eyes dart around.
Nothing.
I relax my hands and slowly lower them.
You’ve officially gone crazy.
I take a step back.
Then another.
Still nothing.
I take off running like someone’s chasing me, eyes frantically darting around.
By the time I’ve cleared the forest, I’m soaked from sweat, muscles screaming, lungs burning.
I slow my pace to a light jog... then a walk. I look over my shoulder, eyes searching.
No one’s there.
Face it.
You’re going crazy.
I’m still lecturing myself as I slip through the patio door.
When I turn to close it, I see it again. Like a flash of long, red hair.
I stare for a few more minutes.
Nothing.
I close the door... and lock it.
It could've been nothing.
Or some knife-wielding maniac.
But the truth is... I'm hoping it was Violet.
And that might be the most dangerous thing of all.