Page 2 of Reed

I can’t believe that motherfucker is starting to rub off on me.

Fuck it. I decide I really don’t fucking care. I’m enamored.

I’m trying to stay a good way back so it’s not too obvious, I’d hate for her to think I’m some perverted kidnapper.

Lexie is a total knockout. I’m sure she has guys falling at her feet, which makes it surprising to see her out here alone so late. It’s dark and the weekend, so there’s a lot of drunk college fucks that are roaming the streets at this hour.

For some reason, the thought of something happening to her makes my stomach roll.

I watch as she’s not really paying attention to anything around her, looking down at her phone. “Pay attention, Lexie.” I mutter under my breath. As soon as the words leave my mouth, she drops her hand and turns another corner.

That’s right, gooood girl. “Keep those eyes alert,” I whisper to myself.

Her blonde hair flows down her back as she bounces down the sidewalk with each step.

I bet its so fucking soft. Fuck. What I would do to run my hands through it and pull it as she chokes on my cock.

And that ass…

My thoughts are interrupted when she turns to walk up the steps to a university dorm. I stand in the shadows of a tree and watch as she disappears through the entrance doors.

My phone dings in my pocket and I pull it out and see Kalix’s name flash across my notifications.

My fingers hesitate over the screen, but I don’t open the message.

Kalix can wait.

I glance back up at the building and step further back into the shadows, letting the tree block my body from being seen. One of those windows belongs to her. I just don’t know which one. Yet.

Whispering to myself, I say, “This is only the beginning, my sweet Honeybee.”

CHAPTER 1

LEXIE

Three Months Later

The sky is gray again and it’s the kind of morning that makes everything feel so much heavier. With my face fixed somewhere between neutral and just okay, I walk the same path I always do with my bag over my shoulder.

My psychology class is across the courtyard, on the second floor. I always choose the second seat by the door if I arrive there early enough. I try to tell myself that this routine helps with structure, keeping the noise in my head from getting too overwhelming.

By the time I cross the courtyard, a familiar sensation comes back.

The itch on the back of my neck like someone’s eyes are on me.

But it has to be nothing. Right?

Probably just stress or lack of sleep and food.

I’ve learned enough in my psychology classes to know that the mind tends to see things where there are none, especially when it’s sleepy, feeling alone or hungry.

This has been happening for a couple months now. It started when I was still in the dorms then got worse when I moved into my apartment. I find myself turning my head to look over my shoulder, picking up the pace when I pass by a dark alley or when I feel like someone is just too close walking by me on the street.

It’s been exhausting because I’ve never been one to be overwhelmingly anxious. I’m usually cool as a cucumber and try not to worry about things too much.

Maybe I should go see someone.

My friend Lainey takes medication for it, but I’ve never been the one to like to depend on them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it for the people who need it, but I feel like I’m not at that point yet. Maybe I just need something to take the edge off.