Page 22 of Rescue Us

Chewing my bottom lip, I hesitated in responding. I wasn’t sure why. It didn’t matter what I listened to, but a lot of people judged. They assumed that heavy metal was all angry and filled with hate. While that may be the case in a lot of the genre, it wasn’t in the bands I chose to listen to.

Me: Heavy metal but black metal is my favorite. Or deathcore. Depending on my mood.

Handsome Stranger: You would get along with my cousin. She likes that kind of music too.

Me: But not you?

Handsome Stranger: Not so much. But I don’t judge.

A breath I didn’t realize I had been holding, left me.

Handsome Stranger: I would like to see you again, pet. I’m sick of texting. When are you free next?

I thought a moment.

Me: If it’s not too late for you, you’re more than welcome to come over. I’m not doing anything overly exciting tonight though.

It took everything in me not to erase the message and make plans to see him somewhere public, but Jay had told me to put myself out there. Slowly anyway. Something told me it was different with Cyrus. He didn’t judge. He never demanded for me to speak when I wasn’t ready to.

“Cyrus seems to be interested in you,” Piper told me one afternoon.

I only stared at her, neither confirming nor denying it because really, it wasn’t like I could.

“Whatever happens,” she patted my hand, “I can vouch for him. He’s a good guy, Ainsley. And if he dates anyone, I’d be happy to see him date you.”

That conversation took place a couple of days ago. I appreciated hearing her words. Maybe I could trust him like he said.

Handsome Stranger: I’m on my way.

My eyes widened, my stomach dropping. I almost expected him to turn me down.

Quickly tidying up, I took a glance around my small living room. It was clean but definitely looked like it had been lived in. Magazines were on the coffee table; three bottles of water were on the end table. A plate of cookies sat on the other.

I was going to put the water and cookies away but thought maybe he would end up wanting some.

Letting out a small sigh, I turned off the music and threw on a sweater when my phone dinged.

Handsome Stranger: I’m here.

I buzzed him in once I heard that familiar beep. While I was the one who invited him over, I was still nervous. I never had a man over before. Was this too soon? Was there a rule on when I should have a man over, if ever at all? Should we have met up somewhere else instead? Piper vouched for him, so that was enough, wasn’t it?

Taking a deep breath and then another, I unlocked the door and stepped out into the hall.

The elevator doors dinged. A moment later, Cyrus stepped into the hallway. A deep frown had settled on his face making my stomach twist. Something was wrong.

He looked my way and paused.

What’s wrong?

His face softened as he came toward me. “Don’t worry about it. Just a weird feeling, that’s all.”

Just the sight of him took my very breath away. He was dressed in a black hoodie with light blue jeans that were ripped at the knees. He wasn’t wearing his leather cut and that fact alone, almost made him seem more lethal.

Swallowing hard, I backed up a step when he started walking toward me.

Heading back into my apartment, my heart jumped to my throat when the door shut behind me.

“Ainsley.”

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