Page 30 of Always Watching

Me: Nah. I want to stretch out on my couch. I’ll have Olly drop me off.

North: Be careful. Grab a knife and keep it on you until I get back.

There is no “lol” or laughing emoji after his text, so I know he’s serious. I’m not sure why it makes me feel warm knowing he’s thinking about me and trying to protect me even when he’s not around. Fuck, North is going to fuck around and make me fall for him.

Me: I will. See you in an hour.

I slide my phone into my pocket and look over at Olly. “Can you give me a ride home? North is still working with his dad.”

“Sure. Let me get my keys and we can head out. Unless you want to stay the night here?”

“Nah. I want to lie on my couch and read. I got a new book a few weeks ago that I’m dying to start. It’s about a serial killer and a mortician. I’ve heard great things. Want to borrow it when I’m done?”

Olly shudders. “You and your dark romance. No thanks. I’ll continue to read about men falling in love with no murder, thanks.”

I chuckle as I follow him outside.

We talk about nothing on the ride home, just enjoying each other’s company. I feel like since I’ve had North, I’ve neglected Olly. We talk almost every day, but we used to see each other a few times a week. Granted, I’ve been healing from my injuries, but he offered to come over to check on me and I declined. I need to do better.

When Olly pulls up to my building, he looks at the entrance with apprehension, then back at me. “I’m going to walk you up. Don’t want Mr. Barlowe to get any bright ideas. The sun has set and he’s a fucking creep. You never know what he’ll try.”

Any other time, I would tell Olly he’s overreacting, but not anymore. The only people I trust are him and North. Mr. Barlowe has given me the creeps since I moved in. I don’t want to be caught outside in the dark with him around.

Olly takes my hand and walks with me upstairs. His head is on a swivel, looking around to make sure no one jumps out or Mr. Barlowe doesn’t slink into the hallway.

Once upstairs, I put in my code and turn to face Olly when the door unlocks. “Thanks for tonight, Oll. I had the best time. Next week, yeah?”

“Yep. Want me to check inside?”

I pause, then nod. I hate being so afraid, but I’m not too proud to ask for help.

He pushes past me, checking in every room and closet while I stand in the kitchen, my hand beside the butcher’s block.

A few minutes later, Olly comes back to the front of the house. “All clear. I can stay until North gets back.”

I sigh as I walk over to him. “I’m good. Thank you for checking.” I give him a long hug, glad I have a friend like him. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Night, Ranen.”

As soon as Olly leaves, I go over to the butcher’s block and pull out the largest knife. Yeah, Olly checked the house, but I want to be prepared… and I want to do what North told me.

I carry the knife to my room where I grab my book, and when I return to the living room I set it on the coffee table while I get comfortable. Once I’m lying how I want, I grab the knife and place it in front of me and get lost in the book.

Less than an hour later, I hear my door beep. I sit up, grab the knife, and face the door, my heart hammering in my chest. When North pushes through the door, I let out a pent-up breath, pushing my hand through my hair.

“Hey,” he says, looking at my face, then at the knife in my hand. He smiles, his eyes shining with pride. “Good boy. You kept yourself safe.”

I sigh at his praise. “I was okay.”

“Because you’re strong.” North walks over and kisses me quickly and my breath catches. Again, it wasn’t nearly long enough. His soft lips brushing across mine send a jolt of arousal through me. Like the last time he kissed me, I try to chase his mouth. North gives me one more kiss, then plucks the knife from my hand. “I’m here now, so you won’t need that.”

It takes a moment for me to even realize he took the knife from me, I’m so gone off that kiss. “Yeah. Thanks. How was work?”

North looks at me curiously, almost as if he’s wondering what I’m talking about. Then his face blanks. “Good. Dad says hi.”

I smile. I really like Atlas. He’s nice. Kind of… different, much like North, but I can tell he’s a good man. Even though he scared the shit out of me at the hospital. But I’ll chalk that up to fear after my attack.

“When will he come back to visit? I like talking to Atlas.”

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