Page 69 of Grave Obsession

Could my police officer boyfriend have overlooked the same small detail? Should I ask him? It’s possible… He’s so overworked and run down from the unsolved cases that have piled up on his desk. Would it be offensive for me to reach out with a theory like that? We’ve barely spoken or exchanged messages since the antique store, and when insecurity rears its ugly head, I stuff it down and ignore it. Screw it. No bad can come from pointing this out, either he knows already or I help. If he’s offended, that’s his problem.

I try to think of something to say to make his day better, but nothing comes to mind. There’s no good way to talk about this. I pull up his message and type.

Mallory:

G’day mate! Just wondering if you’re

privy to the fact that your last two

victims share the same initials?

I wait but no reply comes, it slightly deflates me. It’s a mix between being ignored, which I know is ridiculous, and being aware that he’s too busy to even look at his phone. Which makes me sad for him. Is he even taking care of himself? Probably not. It’s been almost a week since I’ve seen Nox. I still occasionally see Ghost in between the trees or moving around on the camera, but he never comes closer. I bet this is my punishment for being with Lennox. He's depriving me of his addictive touch and commanding personality on purpose. I hope it’s as torturous for him as it is for me.

Staying with Victoria has been…interesting. From her roommate Jackie cleansing all negative energy from me with a burning sage stick, to Victoria’s middle of the night desire for macaroni and cheese, I’m tapped out on human interaction. Which makes this girls night at some club in the city the cherry on top of my introverts-worst-nightmare-come-to-life sundae.

Victoria and Jackie finally pull up, she’s honking the horn and laughing maniacally while Jackie sinks as low as possible into the seat to avoid being seen. I scramble up and jog over to the car, she still hasn’t stopped honking. Rita is going to be so happy with the dingbat in the blue Dodge Neon. The window rolls down and my duffle bag flys out and hits me in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me.

“Hurry up hoe, I want to go eat first,” Victoria jokes.

“Yes, big sister,” I grumble like an annoyed child.

Going to eat is code for Victoria wanting to go to the food court in the mall, so she can con us all into shopping with her after we’re too stuffed with chow mein to move. It’s a good thing it’s only 3 pm and we have time to kill before the club is 'hoppin'.

I tread back inside the hotel, making my way to the employee locker room. I change out of my cleaning uniform, sliding a black summer dress over my head. It has cute cap sleeves and an empire waist line. It’s light material and flows delicately over my hips, hitting above my knees for length. I brush my hair and do a smoky cat eye for makeup, with a touch of lip gloss. Victoria is going to hate my choice of shoes but she will have to deal with it, I’m not even going to attempt a pair of high heels while drinking. I already resemble a baby deer learning to walk while sober, I’ll face plant while drunk. Plus, these all black converse high-tops are my favourite. I think I look pretty cute, in a gothic kind of way. I snap a picture and wonder who I should send it to. Nox or Ghost? Fuck it. I'll send it to both of them. Unlocking my phone, it's still open to Nox’s messages.

Mallory:

Miss you.

Attachment

Smiling to myself, I exit out of Lennox’s texts and open Ghost’s message thread.

Mallory:

Miss me?

Attachment

A thrill shoots up my spine at the indecency of my actions as I pocket my phone. Yes, I bought a dress with pockets and it may be the best invention since dipping french fries in chocolate milkshakes. I exit the back room and make my way back outside.

Jackie cat-calls me as I cross the parking lot and I do a girly spin for her, the dress billowing out around my thighs. I don’t know if she’s flirting or just goofing around, but either way she’s implying that I look nice, so I’ll take the compliment.

“About time, Mal, my stomach was starting to absorb my other organs for sustenance,” Victoria jokes, as I throw my bag in first then slide into the back seat.

“You’re so dramatic.” I roll my eyes and laugh as she grabs her stomach.

“So…hungry…need…food.”

“You literally ate a granola bar ten seconds ago,” Jackie says from the passenger seat. Victoria shoots daggers at her roommate as I laugh under my breath. The car jerks into motion as we start the long drive into the city. My nerves cause my palms to sweat and I silently pray I don’t run into anyone from my parent’s circle of friends.

I feel Victoria’s eyes on me through the rearview mirror. She must see the uneasy look on my face and sense my discomfort because what she does next has a laugh bursting out of me.

“You’re a real shitty DJ, Jackie.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Mal gets shotgun next time because she has to be a better passenger than you,” Victoria quips, sticking her tongue out.

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