Page 6 of The Game

Kate’s already in her boyfriend’s arms as I turn my key, sliding the heavy deadbolt into place. “Have a good night,” I call to her back, but her lips are far too busy to answer, so I head off toward the bus stop.

It’s not too far from the university center on the well-lit campus, but I’ve still got my keys clutched in my palm. My eyes dart back and forth, searching the path for potential threats. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to walk across your own campus at 9:30 at night without fear? It’s the only time I kind of wish I was a guy. Other than that. No way. They can keep their precious dangly bits and repressed emotions. I’ll pass.

A small huddle of giggling girls totters by on heels that are too high and narrow for the cobbled walkway. Another couple is off the path, sheltered by a cluster of bushes, taking advantage of the small amount of privacy afforded by the shadows. The closer I get to my bus stop, the fewer people I pass.

I pull my light jacket tighter, listening to my footsteps click on the path.

“Hey, Jazmin. Wait up.”

I freeze mid step, and my skin ripples as icy fingers trail down my spine. I swivel my head around slowly, hoping that I’m mistaken. But I know I’m not. That deep voice is both very familiar and very unwelcome. The possessive way he uses my full name grates on me. He always refused to use my preferred nickname.

“Darryl, I have to catch my bus. I don’t have time to chat right now. Text me tomorrow.” My brain is as frozen as my feet, and I can’t decide whether I should flee or face him.

“You haven’t answered my texts, so I thought I’d catch you in person.”

“Were you following me?” There’s a tingle of warning at the back of my neck.

“I saw you at work, but you looked really busy, so I figured I’d just catch up to you after.”

He was. He was waiting for me, like a cat stalking a mouse. I don’t want to be the mouse.

A shaky sigh slips from my trembling lips as I turn around. We’re doing this now, so I’d rather be facing him head on rather than give him my vulnerable back. Ok, then. “Darryl.We have nothing to talk about. We broke up at the end of last year and had zero contact all summer. Then you come strolling back in and act like we’re still together. But we’re not. It’s over. We’ve already been over this.” My voice comes out barely above a whisper. Everything I ate today is crashing around in my stomach at the memory of our confrontation a few days ago.

“Jazmin, I love you. Love like that doesn’t just stop. I figured maybe we both just needed some space and then you’d realize how much you missed me. How perfect we are for each other.”

Yeah, perfectly controlling. Perfectly in charge of every part of my life. No, thank you. “That’s not the way it works. I’m not interested in getting back together. I’m sorry, but it’s over.” The sorry slips out. Why do I have to be so polite? I need to be firm. Unapologetic. That’s the only thing that might get through the dense wall of overconfidence that’s wrapped around his brain.

He steps in closer until he’s all up in my personal space, eyes narrowed. The desire to step back has my leg muscles tense, ready to flee, but I ignore it. Be firm. Don’t show weakness.

“Jazmin, don’t you understand? You belong with me. You’re mine.” His tone is rough and demanding. Insistent. Not the velvety smooth tones he used on me when we were first dating. That was a façade.

I cross my arms over my middle, trying to hide my trembling hands. “No, Darryl. You need to leave. I don’t want to talk, and I don’t want to get back together.”

His eyes have gone from pleading to wild. He’s agitated, raking a hand through the sandy brown hair that’s grown out past his ears as if he hasn’t gotten a haircut all summer.

Then he reaches out, hands closing over my biceps too tight, bruising, and I struggle to get away. He jerks me in closer to him. “Please, Jazmin, just listen to me. I need you. I can’t live without you. You can’t do this to me.” His lip twists in the telltale snarl, letting me know he’s about to get nasty.

“Let go of me.” I push on his chest, but I’ve got no traction, and he’s stronger than me, controlling my upper arms.

“Not until you listen to me. Come on. You know your shitty life was better with me in it. Working at that coffee shop. I can give you so much more. I’ll look after you. Don’t be such a bitch.”

There’s a red haze behind my eyes, and a fiery ball of rage churning my guts. I’ve been called a bitch one too many times today.

I’m about to open my mouth to lash out when someone steps in behind Darryl, looming over his shoulder. My heart is pounding so hard I can hear it echoing in my ears at the new potential threat. But then I catch sight of the neon orange safety vest the guy is wearing.

There’s a girl behind him in a matching outfit. My jaw unclenches the slightest bit. It’s the Campus Walk Safe program stepping in. The ones I should have called in the first place to walk me to the bus stop.

“You need to take your hands off the lady.” The calming voicing seeps under my skin, reassuring.

“This is private business between me and my girlfriend. It’s fine. Leave us alone.”

The guy’s dark eyes meet mine over Darryl’s shoulders and I shake my head the tiniest bit.

“She doesn’t want you touching her, so you need to back off.”

“Fuck off. What are you going to do about it?” My asshole ex rolls his shoulders as if he’s gearing up for a fight but doesn’t loosen the painful grip that’s pinching my arms.

“I will call the police if I have to, but I’m sure you don’t want that. Let go of the lady and go on with your night.”

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