Keeping the screen on, I breached the back door and on the porch. My eyes were peeled for her wild brown hair and usual stand out outfit.

“Circle of life. Or whatever they say.” Brent’s voice invaded my space again. He flicked open his cigarette case and offered me one. Just like that first night.

Part of me wondered if any of these things would have happened if I never got on that stupid motorcycle with him. Never talked to him, even.

“Don’t ignore me when I’m standing right in front of you,” he said.

I stared at the cigarette hanging out of his mouth. How could he be so chill about everything all the time? The constant something happening must be a regular occurrence to these people.

“I’m not here to be chummy with you.”

“Not what you said when–”

“Stop.”

My phone buzzed. Thank God.

Kelly: where u at? ill meet u

Me: back porch come alone plz

Kelly: okayyyyyy weirdo

Brent let out a puff of smoke, looking at me expectantly. “So?”

“She’s coming out. She’s found. You can go now.” It was tempting to shoo him away, but that would be taken as me being playful or something. There was no way I was in the mood for him, and it showed.

He snatched my phone from my hands and held it out of my reach. He was typing something with the one hand he held far above me while I started grabbing for it. Still typing, he used his free hand to push my head away until he was finished.

All while balancing that stupid cigarette in his mouth. “Ah, much better,” he said, handing my phone back.

I glared at him. My screen was back on the homepage and all apps were closed so I didn’t know what he was doing. “What did you do?”

“Since another man wants what’s mine, I figured the least you could do was let me have your phone number and you can call me when you need me to crash another date.” He loosely pulled the cigarette from his mouth, flicking the ash from the end.

“You deserve nothing from me,” I huffed.

He smiled. “You’re so fucking cute when you’re mad.”

I crossed my arms to put a barrier between us. “You’re clearly with Sloane, and–”

“No,” he said firmly. He came close to me, and I could hear his breathing again. “I have no desire to be with her. She’s clung to me for a long time because she likes my last name.” His eyes flickered and darkened, looming over me. “Blondie, are you jealous?”

He almost entranced me, but I took a large step back from him. From that magnetic pull. “I’m not answering your questions.”

“I have my answer.”

The back door opened, and Kelly stepped out. “What’s with the creepy ‘come alone’ message and what has you sending it?”