Chapter 5
Noah
We have been back at Rachel’s house for a while now, back in our usual routine with our books and wine and pizza, because you can never have too much pizza.
Rachel is giggling while texting on her phone, and I am trying to be a good friend and not tease her about it, so instead I focus on my book.
It’s not too hard a task, since the male main character in my book is currently fucking one of the betas in his werewolf pack, and I’m way more into it than I’d like to admit.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not ashamed of reading smut.
It’s the type of smut I read that makes me a little shy about it.
It’s not a bad thing for a man to enjoy a little spice, is it? Many do. I think. I am sure they do.
The fact I enjoy this book is not exactly what I hate to admit though, it’s the fact that I have a very vivid image of Leo as the MMC of this book the whole time I am reading it and that’s plain wrong.
It’s not my fault the author has described the character exactly like Leo.
Blond, tall, broody and full of tattoos.
She even has mentioned a deep voice. It’s truly not my fault my brain made the connection and now I can’t get rid of the image in my head.
I know I shouldn’t be getting attached to a man who probably won’t be into me anyway.
Kai told me he is into both men and women when he was at the salon earlier, and the information imprinted on me like a tattoo.
That doesn’t mean this man will be into me just because he likes guys.
I am convinced I wouldn’t be his type. Even by looking at him, you can tell we are on different levels.
He is all tall and handsome, and I am...
just me. I am pathetic for even fantasizing about this.
He just flashed a sweet smile and talked to me in that deep voice, and I am ready to plan our fucking wedding like a good little dick-hungry slut.
I am worse than Rachel. Pathetic. I should be on a leash. He can hold it!
My phone rings with a notification, and I reach over while still reading as I open the message, completely blind without drifting my eyes from my book until I finish the paragraph I am reading.
When I finally read the text, I am left looking at it like a damn idiot.
Leo, the man who’s clearly not into me, is texting me.
He has my phone number. The phone number he got from his friend Kai.
The guy who my friend is texting for the last hour, giggling like a schoolgirl.
Seriously Rachel? Who gives their best friend’s number to their stalker?
Unknown: Hey. I hope it’s okay. I got your phone number from Kai.
“Rachel did you give my phone number to your boyfriend?”
She giggles, “If I am going to receive messages, you should receive some too.” She says with that smug attitude of hers. I sigh, because why is this always happening to me? Can’t I just get a normal best friend who asks before she sends my number to random people?
“You are a terrible friend.” I say as I type a response to Leo.
Me: Totally fine. How are you doing Leo?
‘How are you doing?’ Seriously? I couldn’t think of anything more interesting? No wonder I can’t find a decent man. Who would stick around for responses like this one?
Leo: You are into paranormal books right? The wolf on your book is looking very interesting. How do you like that book?
“Ummmmm. Rachel?” I say looking at the phone in shock. Did she tell Kai about my book? I am sure she did. How else could he know?
“What?” She replies unbothered while still reading a message on her phone and smiling like an idiot.
“Why does Leo know I am reading a book with a wolf on the cover?” I ask hesitantly.
“What the hell, Kai?” Rachel shouts, and from her reaction I can tell she did not, in fact, tell Kai about my book.
She types frantically on her phone, mumbling to herself something about murdering the man, and right now I might agree with her.
How the hell did Leo know about my book? Are they stalking us?
A few texts between them later and a very awkward phone call followed by silence, Rachel finally speaks. “Kai says he told Leo about the book when he was here earlier. He saw it on the living room table.” I don’t tell her he is lying, even though he is.
Because it’s not possible for Kai to have seen my book earlier since this particular book was with me at work, but I decide not to say anything.
Rachel sinks back into her armchair and picks up her book.
She starts reading while I quietly check the room with my eyes for cameras.
Kai has definitely done something stupid.
Blame the dark romance books I love so much, or my natural tendency not to trust people.
Hell, blame the true crime documentaries I like to binge-watch.
This man is stalking us. There’s no other explanation.
I choose not to alert my friend as I calmly try to spot the cameras, because she won’t react in such a polite way and call me crazy, but I would love to see how this is going to play out.
Finally, after a careful eye scan of the room while pretending I am totally not checking the space for stalking equipment, I spot two cameras hiding in plain sight. I look up and smirk. Cheeky boys, stalking us while we read. That’s cute. I pick up my phone and type a reply to Leo.
Me: So, Kai saw my book while he was here earlier.
I lay the bait and Leo bites it so fast like a fish with dementia who accidentally forgot to protect itself.
Leo: Yes, that’s totally how I know about the cover. I read sometimes. He snapped a picture and sent it to me.
Me: Interesting can I see the picture? I am curious how the book photographed.
Leo: I didn’t keep it and Kai is still at the bar.
So, Kai is still at the bar, huh? Let’s see how far this man is going to go to cover his first lie.
“Rachel, where’s Kai?” I ask Rachel, who’s too deep in her book to realize I am even still here.
“Rach.”I say again firmly, snapping my fingers in the air to get her attention.
“Rachel wake up.” She looks at me in confusion.
“Kai.” I repeat the name again, and it clicks as she tilts her head to the side, still confused as a pit bull puppy that hasn’t had its chance with the collectively shared brain cell yet. “Where is he?” I repeat my question.
“At his place with Leo.” She replies finally and I type another message.
Me: At least we know you can lie. Goodnight Leo.
I rest my phone, screen down, onto the couch and pick up my book again and my wine glass. I take a long sip before I start reading again. Smiling to myself, because you have to admit, having a man like Leo stalk you is kind of hot.