and I hit my head. That’s what’s going on. That’s why I’m acting like a nut case.
I still don’t know why Collin’s insisting on following me to my apartment, but once we’re inside my building he dutifully walks behind me. His heavy footsteps echo on each step as we trudge up the stairs. He must be relaxed, since normally he’s as silent as a cougar.
Two stories later, we reach my floor. “I’m just down the hall.” I keep my gaze on his chin even though those damn abs are calling to me. My heart is beating painfully fast, which it normally doesn’t following a quick jog up to my apartment. But I refuse to consider the other culprits for my tachycardia.
“Lead the way,” he replies.
This is where you say goodbye, Bri.
But instead of telling him that he can leave now, I turn stiffly and count the steps to my apartment. Just as I reach my home, the door across from my apartment opens. Music spills into the hallway along with the sound of talking people within.
“Oh, hey, Bri!” my neighbor says. Mel’s one of the few residents in the building who’s not a student. Although, she did just finish her PhD last year, so she was a student not too long ago.
“Hi, Mel.” I fumble with my keys. My fingers are trembling so much I can’t get them in the lock.
Mel cocks her head when she notices my clumsiness—her frizzy red hair like a halo around her—but then she notices Collin. “Hi there.” Her gaze slides up and down him.
Collin just looks at her. He doesn’t even say hi.
Right. He’s a psycho. Remember, Bri? Or have you forgotten that already? I finally give up with my keys and stop trying to get inside my apartment.
“You guys want to come in?” Mel swings her door open wider. “I met some really cool people this afternoon, so I invited them over. And some of my friends from Phoenix are here too. You guys should join us.”
“No, that’s okay. It’s, um, been a long weekend.” As much as I love Mel, I’m in desperate need of a shower, and fatigue is really setting in. Not to mention I’m acting weird. The last thing I need to do is alert other people to that.
“You sure? I was just popping out to grab a few more drinks, but I’ll be back in twenty.”
“Brianna’s tired. She really needs to rest.” Collin takes my apartment keys from me and opens my door. Before I know what’s happening, he’s pulling me inside and saying goodbye to Mel.
When he closes the door behind us, I stiffen. “What are you doing?”
He drops my keys in the turquoise ceramic bowl on the small table by my front door. “I’m making sure you get home safely, just as I promised.”
“Right, but why are you still here, and why are you in my apartment?” I try to insert some venom into my tone. I don’t know why I’m having a hard time remembering that he’s a brutal murderer who needs to be locked up. As soon as his stolen car hit the curb, I should have jumped out and run.
Instead, I’d admired his six-pack.
He’s quiet for a long moment. He’s so quiet that the cheap wall clock ticking above my couch resonates in the room. I’m counting the seconds.
Three more seconds pass before he says, “Do you want me to go?”
His voice is so quiet I barely make out the words, and he’s watching me, his expression unreadable. I cross my arms and grip my biceps, then open my mouth to respond. Of course I want him to go. He needs to go, but when I try to speak, my throat tightens and nothing comes out.
His entire body loosens, and the corner of his mouth tugs up. “Why don’t you take a shower? I’ll make us something to eat.”
Before I can reply that he’s not making us dinner, and I’m not showering with him here, I find myself turning around and heading to the bathroom.
What the hell are you doing, Bri?
But it’s as if my limbs have taken on a mind of their own. I know he needs to go, yet—
The thought of him leaving and never seeing him again makes a physical ache fill my chest.
I’m clearly losing it.
The sound of running water comes from the kitchen just as I close the bathroom door. I’m vaguely aware that the man ate enough food to feed ten children only a few hours ago.