Page 19 of Fetch

I snatch it from him as soon as I see the picture of the guy. “What the fuck? He was literally just in here that same day.” Barry was a little too chatty but always sweet and polite. I got the sense that he was working his way up to asking me out though.

Milo shakes his head as he takes his phone back. “No witnesses. Poor guy. It’s weird that all they took was the cash from his wallet and his high school football ring.”

My stomach knots. “What do you mean?”

Milo puts his phone back in his pocket. “Well, according to the article, he had another pile of cash lying on his bedside table. And a brand new lifted truck. Seems like a lot of trouble to kill someone over fifty bucks but not take anything else.”

My blood goes cold. I usher Juniper into the back again. “Don’t you think it’s odd that this is the second person who’s died after interacting with me?”

She shrugs. “Not really. There’s no connection at all. It’s shitty but not uncommon for that neighborhood.”

I nod. Maybe she’s right. I’m wound up so tight these days. Ever since the night at Joystick, I’ve been looking for some kind of release or escape. But I don’t trust my own judgment.

“You’re right. I’m being paranoid.” I suck down the rest of my iced latte in one gulp.

“Let’s go out and get fucked up tonight. It will take your mind off everything.”

“That sounds perfect. I could use a few drinks. Thanks, babe.”

“Should I tell RageMachine and Skat why we’re not playing tonight? They might say something to Jack.” She smirks at me with a mischievous gleam in her eye.

“Fuck it. I don’t care. He can deal with not tormenting me for one night.”

She laughs. “You mean tormenting your pussy.”

I give her a playful shove. “Enough. See, this is why I didn’t want to tell you.”

As I walk back to my car, I think of Barry again. I can’t believe someone murdered him hours after I talked to him. A chill snakes through me as I check my back seat before getting in. Nothing feels safe anymore.

Imessed up. I got carried away and called her Roxy by mistake. Fuck. Now she’s not replying to any of my messages. But I’m not blocked so there’s hope.

I glare at the headline on my phone. Looks like the police finally discovered my little temper tantrum. The article states they have no leads and no witnesses. Just another robbery gone bad on the wrong side of the tracks. Same shit, different day. It will never be traced back to me.

My heart races as I pace around my sunken living room. I pause to press my face against the cold glass. My floor-to-ceiling windows give me an unobstructed view of the Lavender Heights skyline. I can see the stars, the birds, and the monstrous skyscrapers. Normally it gives me a sense of peace. But tonight, I feel sick. Twisted. Desperate to hear my girl’s voice again. Aching to see her in front of me on her knees.

I spent all day tailing her. She was at the record store for a short shift. Then a second latte at Pick Your Poison. Before heading home, she stopped at a department store, coming out with a few bags. I’m getting impatient.

I can only keep watching her for so long. The time is coming when I need to strike. To claim her. I’ve almost got her completely wrapped around my finger.

I log in toAfter: 8113and scour my friends list for Roxy’s crew, praying they have an ongoing session open. It’s ten p.m., and Roxy still hasn’t joined the group chat.I want to know why.

I keep scrolling through my friends list and see RageMachine and Skat are online. I quickly send a request to join.

“What’s up, guys,” I say as nonchalantly as possible. “What’s good?”

“Jackie boy. We’re just chilling. You want to run the gauntlet quest with us? We could use a third,” Skat asks.

“Yeah, for sure.” My palms are sweating, mouth dry.

“Sweet. I’m tired of losing,” RageMachine adds.

“Where are the girls tonight?” I ask casually.

“Out slutting it up or some shit,” Skat snorts.

“They said they needed a girls’ night.” RageMachine snickers. “Which we all know is code for getting laid by some random dude in the backseat of a car.”

An alert pops up from my phone. The tracker on Roxy’s car is moving. What the fuck? She’s driving toward downtown. My pulse kicks up a notch. But I take deep breaths, forcing myself to laugh with them. “Fucking women, right?”

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