Stalking His Claim - Lucy Darling Page 0,16

He is on a date. Eating french fries. Why would he lie? Is it because of last night? Or is it something more? Is this what he always does? Goes on dates that I don’t know about? I could see that. Reed is so private.

I’m not sure he would talk about anyone he was dating. Plus, he doesn’t have to explain himself to me. He opened his home to me. He has been a good friend to me and his personal life is really none of my business. But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt like hell.

The lump in my throat starts to get bigger. I know that this will change everything between us. The bath I was planning to take will have to wait. I need to begin packing. I don’t think I can face him. Would he lie to my face?

I look up when I feel a drop of water hit my head. Lightning lights up the almost dark sky. Crap. I hold my bag tight as I take off running. I’m still a few blocks away from our building when the rain starts to come down harder. Me and my stupid fear of taxis. I always found it so weird that people have no problem getting into random cars for rides. You even pay for it. Your whole childhood you are taught to never do that.

I see our building in the distance. It’s now pouring down rain. I scream when my foot catches on something, causing me to slip. I try to brace myself but end up landing on my knees. Pain shoots through them. At least it wasn't my face. I clench my jaw, not sure if I can stand.

“Let me help you,” a woman says, approaching me. She pulls her hood down from her head so I can see her. She grabs me under my arm. “Lift,” she orders me in a stern voice. I let out a small whimper as my legs stretch out, but I manage to stand.

“Thank you.”

“You want to go to a hospital? I’ll get a car.”

“That’s sweet of you but I just want to go home.” I point to my building. She nods. “Thank you again.”

“Let me at least walk you in.”

“You don’t have to do that.” She gives me a look a parent might give you. “Okay.” She follows me in, opening the door for me. “This elevator goes straight to my place.” I slip the key in. The doors slide open. “Thank you again.”

“Be careful, Tinsley,” she says before she turns to leave. She pulls her hood back over her short blond hair. I step onto the elevator. Did I tell her my name? I must have. I step off the elevator, dropping my bag before I kick off my shoes. I keep walking down the hallway. I know no one else is here at this time. The staff will be gone by now and I know where Reed is. Unfortunately.

I pull my shirt off next. My knees are beginning to throb. I stop at Reed's room, pushing the door open. I go to his bathroom and grab the first aid kit that’s in the cabinet. I set it next to the tub turning on the water before stripping out of the rest of my clothes. I glance down at my knees.

This is gonna hurt. Still not as much as Reed hurt me today.

11

Reed

“Are you not going to eat your fries?” James asks. I push them toward him. If Tinsley was here she would have dumped a giant pile of ketchup on my plate before I could protest. Then I would eat the fries because she gives me the biggest smile. I don’t know how but her smiles can warm the darkest parts of me.

I push my half-eaten steak away from me before picking up my water. “I’ve gotta go.” I push back from the chair, pulling my phone out.

“You lasted longer than I thought you would. Good luck, man. Maybe listen to some of the shit I told you.”

“Thanks.” I glance toward the window when I see a lightning flash. She better be home. I pick up my pace as I start to call her security. My phone rings before I can.

“She home?” I ask as I slip into the back of my town car. I mouth the word home to my driver.

“Yes. I watched her go up ten seconds ago.” Ten seconds. Why was she out so late? That’s so not like her. Could she