Page 36 of How To Catch A Killer … And Date His Best Friend

I get back to my apartment in no time and dive straight into the shower, standing under the hot water for way too long. I wash my hair and scrub the night off me, and knowing I’m racing against the clock, I reluctantly get out before tightening my towel around my chest.

Within the space of twenty minutes, my hair is dried, and I’m finally ready to get my ass to work. When I glance at the time, I realize there’s just enough time to walk. A smile settles on my lips, and I grab my camera, phone, and keys before hightailing it out of here.

It’s a nice day. The sun is high above the rows of towering apartment buildings on either side of the street, and it warms my face as I walk. It’s only a few blocks before the boring apartments start to thin out, and I hit the heart of Onyx Heights. As I walk, I’m snapping pictures of everything around me.

When my phone buzzes from my pocket, I let my camera swing from the strap around my neck and pull it out. As I read over the text, I can’t help but laugh.

Unknown: You have no fucking idea how hard it’s been not to text you, but now that you caved and were the one to come running to me, I don’t see why I shouldn’t take full advantage of having your number.

A stupid grin stretches across my face, and I type out a response.

Lyra: Bold of you to assume I wasn’t just bored. Besides, you say that like I won’t block you for fun.

Maddox: Savage. Always savage.

Lyra: Don’t forget it.

Lyra: Don’t be smug just because I showed up knocking on your door looking unstable. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Maddox: Damn. How you wound me, woman.

God. Why am I getting all stupid for this man? My stomach is doing flips while the grin plastered across my face doesn’t budge.

Lyra: Whenever you need an ego check, remember, I’ll be right here to put you back in place.

Maddox: Counting on it.

I snort a laugh and tuck my phone back into my pocket, but it buzzes again, and I pull it right back out, eager to see whatever stupid comment he made. I’m already rolling my eyes before I’ve even opened the text, only the moment I do, that good mood shatters like glass.

It’s not Maddox. Not even close.

Hunter fucking Cole. What could he possibly want now? I thought I had gotten my point across, but clearly not.

Hunter: You blew me off, Savage.

Lyra: I thought I told you to delete my number.

Hunter: I’m not going away any time soon.

Lyra: Drop dead.

I huff and puff, my hands balling into frustrated fists as I do everything in my power not to toss my phone at the wall just to get rid of him. I am completely aware that I have the power to block him, but for whatever reason, I haven’t done it yet.

Maybe I really am a sucker for punishment.

Another text comes through, and I check it much slower this time, needing to brace myself for whatever bullshit he decided was worth his time to type out.

Hunter: Working tonight? What time do you get off?

He’s got to be kidding me. Is he really that delusional? And why the hell does he make me want to throw a full-blown tantrum in the middle of the street?

I know I shouldn’t, but I respond anyway.

Lyra: Let me reiterate. DROP. DEAD!

I jab the screen to send it, then pause for a moment to calm myself. I’m only a block away from Black Velvet, and I lean up against the wall of a mini-mart, trying to find the will to resist calling this asshole to give him a piece of my mind. Honestly, he’s probably going to assume that’s my way of flirting.

I count to ten, taking slow, purposeful breaths, only when I get all the way to ten, it becomes painfully clear that my little meditation technique isn’t even close to working, so I start over.