Hunting Her Box Set

I don’t even bother replying. There’s no point. The gray matter swirling around in my skull has the consistency of butter as I stalk from the building, her soft chuckle haunting my every step. I continue to the far end of the parking lot and pull out my cell, quickly switching the sim cards to make a private call I’ve been dreading.

“Hey, baby, I was wondering when you’d get in contact.” Anissa’s voice is sickeningly sweet.

“I’ve been busy.” I glance back at the diner, too paranoid not to look over my shoulder.

“So I’ve heard. Where are you?”

“Doesn’t matter. But I won’t be back this afternoon. I can’t catch up today.”

There’s a beat of tense silence. “This is the second time you’ve cancelled our plans.”

“I’m sorry, it can’t be helped.” I’m not sorry and she knows it, but it’s a part of the game we play. She acts sweet and i

“You’re with someone.” She drops the saccharine from her tone. “Who?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Bullshit,” she snaps, revealing the bitch she hides beneath this pathetic act. “You know it does. Tell me.”

“I’ve warned you before, Nissa. Don’t hound me.”

“And I’ve warned you. Don’t fuck with me.”

I should’ve walked away from her months ago. I still should, if only I didn’t need her, and she didn’t need me, too. We’ve got a unique relationship based on threats and lies. Smoke and mirrors.

She isn’t the drug I crave. But she’s the dealer. The gatekeeper.

“Fine. It doesn’t matter, anyway.” She bottles her anger. “I know who you’re with. It’s not hard to figure out.”

“Then I hope you also know you can trust me.”

Her derisive laugh is barely audible over the passing traffic. “I doubt that, but I’ve got hope. And a backup plan if you fuck me over.”

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. Anissa is nothing if not entirely strategic. I’ve always been well aware of what she’s capable of, and I got involved with her anyway. “I won’t.”

I can’t.

Despite her poison, this woman is a necessity in my life.

“Good. Be smart, Decker. We’re great together. The last thing you want to do is mess it up.”