Page 29 of I'm Not in Love (I Promise)

I start to cut into the chicken when he responds.

845-555-0912: I’m glad. Can’t have you eating crackers for dinner.

I stop chewing and reread his message. Crackers… How did he know that?

Me: Umm… ok, stalker.

845-555-0912: What? It was an educated guess.

Yeah, okay. I glance around the empty room. “Are you here?” When he doesn’t answer I yell. “Hello?”

Maybe it was a guess. Still, it’s pretty damn creepy. I take a few more bites of my meal and start to feel full. There’s no way I’m not leaving a bit of room for that brownie. Picking up my phone, I click on his number and change the contact name to Freddy. Then I take a screenshot and send it to him.

Freddy: I thought I’ve upgraded to Ghostface. Freddy’s a creepy child predator.

I snort in the most unattractive way. A few pieces of quinoa fly across the table.

Me: Until I see what’s under that mask, I’m afraid you’re stuck with Freddy.

Warmth spreads in my belly from the seltzer. I rarely drink, so when I do it doesn’t take much to get a buzz. I know I’m here all alone and the guy I’m talking to is the definition of a red flag, but this feels good. It’s been so long since I’ve smiled and laughed and enjoyed good food. I can’t remember the last time.

Freddy: Is that a proposition, Blake? Should I come show you?

I almost choke on a sip of seltzer. Do I want that? I keep telling myself I don’t but the way I’m flirting says otherwise. Heat spreads across my cheeks and down my neck as I imaginewhat he looks like under that mask. If his jawline and mouth are any inclination, the rest of his face will be just as hot.

Me: Noo, I’m all good. Aren’t you working, anyway?

Freddy: Liar.

He doesn’t answer my question and that’s fine. I don’t need to know what he’s doing.

Me: Not a liar.

I smile.

Me: If you don’t want me to call you Freddy, give me your name.

He doesn’t respond right away so I start cleaning up the containers. I’ll have food for the next day or two with all of this.

With everything put away, I grab the card and head back to my room, checking over my shoulder the entire time just in case.

CHAPTER TWELVE

DAMON

Leonand I are the definition of laying low for the next few days. We didn’t want that, especially Leon who can’t sit still for the life of him, but waking up to messages from the criminal you shot will really slow a guy down.

Another burner phone casualty. At this rate we should buy them in bulk.

On the plus side, laying low has given me some extra free time to keep an eye on Blake. She’s been busy with her classes but I’ve been there, watching from the parking lot and making sure that piece of shit Ethan hasn’t been hanging around. Leon’s on my ass about my relationship with Blake, saying we can’t involve anyone else in our lives. Classic step two behavior. He doesn’t understand that she could never be a burden.

I’m pacing around, so sick of being limited to this apartment and my car, when Jasper hollers from his bedroom. I know he’s hurt and all but he’s really been milking it for all its worth.

“You called, Your Highness,” I say, taking in his crumbled bed strewn with wrappers and the anime playing at full volume from his laptop.

He pauses the show and holds up an empty pill bottle. “I just took my last pain pill. Can that girlfriend of yours get me some more?”

I don’t bother to correct him. “Doubtful. Can’t you just take some ibuprofen?” He narrows his eyes in his most menacing expression. “Fine, I’ll see what I can do.”

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