Atlas
She’s coming back, right? Right?!
What is she doing to me? Why did I hold my hand out for her?
The way her head tilted . . . it was like she was watching a wounded animal, and I’ll be damned if I ever allow myself to be put in such a position again.
I’ll catch her, and once I do, she’ll be the one looking at me that way, dependent on my attention and touch. That’s what she deserves!
A few minutes pass, and I keep repeating to myself there’s no fuckin’ way she won’t return.
My hopes evaporate at the sound of the fire alarm, followed by the movie cutting out and the lights flicking on.
“Fuck!” I shout loud enough for her to hear me, even from outside.
Anger should’ve hit me, but all I get is this fucked-up laugh clawing its way out as I replay her words.
She didn’t lie.
Every step of the way, she surprises me in the most exquisite ways, and the more she tries to outrun me, the more it fuels my desire to own her. I’ll up my game, make her bend to my will one way or another.
I step outside the theater, pulling out my phone to text her, even though what I really want is to open the FindMe app and pinpoint her location so we can finish what we started.
Seriously?!
The dots start dancing on the screen. Will she ask how I got her number?
Summer
I know. I’m gutted! What are the odds?
I should be furious at the way she mocks me, but our back and forth is a delicate dance I’m most excited about.
With her, I never know what comes next. It’s like a rollercoaster—one that excites me, but I can’t stop wondering if it’s passed the routine maintenance and whether I’d be getting off alive.
I smile while texting her back. I’ve been doing that exponentially more since I met her.
What are the odds of you being a nutcase?
Summer
Same as the odds of you being a fucking psychopath.
We’re a match made in Hell.
Summer
Heaven’s overrated.
How is it that our every interaction embeds her deeper into my mind? I don’t want that, but she doesn’t seem to care what I want.
Making my way back home, I let my delusional mind do the damage control. Summer could’ve simply left, but instead, she tried to set a theater on fire for me.
She ran, sure. But the details matter. She put in an effort and found a way not to break her word. Denying she wants me is the single deception she tries to sell, but I’m not buying it.
I’m still smiling like a fool when I walk inside the house. Link’s putting on his jacket, heading out, while Dean follows inside after me. How distracted was I by the storyline my looney tunes brain was assembling that I didn’t hear his bike pull up?
“What are you so giddy about?” Link asks.
“Nothing.”
I’m not giving them ammunition. My friends would only see the “she ran away from me by setting the theater on fire” part. I choose to focus on other things.
“Sure! Whatever you say.”
Right before Link is about to open the door, he pauses.
“Dean, what are we doing for your birthday?”
Friday. I’d forgotten. Can anyone blame me after the night my Succubus put me through?
“Beer and pizza at home,” Dean says.
He’s an only child, and his parents have never once called on that day. But we’re his family. He knows we make it count.
“Bullshit! We’re throwing you a party.” I raise my voice. No way in hell I’m letting Dean sweep his birthday under the rug.
“I hate parties.”
“Especially the ones for your birthdays,” Link teases.
“How about a deal?” Dean turns to me with those words. “Make the girl who knocked you unconscious come and introduce her to us. Then I’m in.”
“Oh, I like that idea,” Link says from behind me.
Their smug faces tell me they won’t be letting go of what happened to me any time soon.
“Fine.” I grumble. “I’ll tell her to come.”
“You should try asking. I’d hate to see you knocked unconscious again,” Dean snickers.
Link coughs, masking the way he chokes on his laughter, and there’s that desire to fast-forward some time, enough for all of them to have forgotten about this topic.
“Shut the fuck up, both of you! You worry about your own troubles. I’ll worry about mine.”
“My ‘trouble’ will come when I ask her. Yours, on the other hand, seems more likely to kill you than to listen to any demands you have for her,” Link says, closing the door behind him, probably in a hurry to take care of Raven.
That chick has him wrapped around her finger, both because of her looks and the fact that, for the first time, he found someone to challenge his hacking skills.
Dean grabs a folder Carter had prepared of an artist we can approach for our cause and follows right after Link.
I make my way upstairs, typing in my invitation for Summer.
There’s a party Friday night at my place. You’re coming for me!
My demanding tone is going to piss her off, and I smile at the thought. Her reply comes before I’ve reached the top of the stairs.
That eager to talk to me already.
Summer
Like hell I am! You’re delusional if you think I would do anything FOR you.
Would a threat piss her off even more? She’s fuckin’ adorable when she’s angry.
You’ll either come willingly, or I’ll drag you here, but you’re coming.
I must’ve made her enraged enough, because she fires back fast, and I picture her hammering out every letter on the screen.
Summer
Has anyone ever told you that you should work on your manners, you fucking Neanderthal? Invite me politely, and I’ll think about it.
That simple “I’ll think about it” reeks of immense progress. She leaves the door ajar with her answer, hopefully not intending to crush my balls with it.
Politely, bring that mouth-watering ass of yours to the party if you don’t want me to bring it for you. Politely.
Summer
I still don’t like your tone. You can do better.
Don’t push it!
Summer
Or what? You’ll end up tied to my bed again?
Keep poking, and you won’t like what comes next.
Summer
Stop barking, puppy! I’ll take your “polite” invitation into consideration, but if I do come to the party, know that I won’t be coming FOR you.
I grip my phone harder when another text chimes in.
Summer
And don’t even think of pulling some kind of dickery on me!
Is she anxious about what I can do to her? Good. I’m already getting under her skin.
But our conversation would not be complete without me offering a gallant compliment to her.
Has anyone ever told you that you’re a fuckin’ demon?
Summer
Oh, stop it! I’m blushing. That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.
Grinning, I toss my phone aside, letting all kinds of scenarios unfold in my mind. She didn’t say no. That means she’s coming. But will she pull more tricks on me? I can’t wait to find out.