Page 58 of Forget Me Not

Wildcat: That would require settling down in one spot with absolutely no chance of running.

HawkEye: And where you’re at is definitely not that spot?

I sit down on the bathroom floor, still wrapped in a towel. I’m feeling good about the direction our conversation is heading. I don’t dream often because everything I want seems so far out of reach. But maybe this one thing isn’t as far out of reach as I think.

Wildcat: I thought it was. I suppose it still could be.

HawkEye: There’s the strong girl I’ve come to know. Don’t let one mishap scare you off. You’re a fighter. Keep on fighting.

Wildcat: You’re right. Maybe I will. Now, it’s your turn. What is one attainable thing you want right now?

When his response doesn’t come right away, I get impatient and swipe out of the conversation to check my text messages and calls to see if I missed anything from Dex. I’m not surprised to see there’s nothing. My gut wretches at the thought of what could be going on. This isn’t like him at all. I don’t know much about Dex; therefore, I don’t know who I could even call to go check on him. But I feel like it’s getting to that point.

A notification from the Siren’s Call app pings, so I go back to my conversation with HawkEye to read his response to my question.

HawkEye: You.

I’m taken aback, not sure how to reply to that. What is with these men thinking they want me when they don’t know anything about me? I’m a mess. A broken fucking mess. No one should want anything to do with me.

Wildcat: You don’t even know me.

HawkEye: Then let me get to know you. Tell me everything. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

I’d love more than anything to talk to someone like they were my therapist, but I’m not there yet. Especially with this guy.

Wildcat: In time, maybe you will know it all. And once you do, you’ll wish you didn’t.

HawkEye: Impossible. I have a feeling I’m only going to admire you more once I know who you really are.

I can’t help the smile on my face. There’s something so enlightening about talking with this guy. It’s harmless, and it brings me comfort. Therefore, it can’t be a bad thing.

Wildcat: Let’s hope you’re right. I have to get dressed now. I just got out of the bathtub. Talk later?

HawkEye: I’d love that. Take care, Wildcat.

Wildcat: You too, HawkEye.

I close out of the app, still grinning from ear to ear as I slip into a plush robe. Flipping my head down, I wrap the towel around my hair and fasten it. My hand runs over the mirror, wiping away some of the fog. The reflection looking back at me is one I could get used to, and it’s all thanks to one short-lived conversation with a man I’ll probably never meet.

I walk out of the bathroom, completely shocked to see that Alaric isn’t there. Though the sound of his bedroom door closing tells me he was. He must have bolted when he heard me click the lock. Either way, I’m not going to acknowledge him, or even give him a second of my time, because I have some serious living to do.

ChapterNineteen

RHEA

It’s beenfive days since I worked. The last time I set foot in Taryn’s was the same day I left because I got my period unexpectedly. In those five days, my encounters with Alaric have been brief and surprisingly uneventful. The only thing I can ascertain is that he’s grown bored with me.

Then there’s the total fucked-up part of me that wonders why. Am I no longer good enough for him? Is he interested in someone else? I saw him chatting it up with the new girl in the house, Heather. They looked like they were having an in-depth conversation and when I tried to eavesdrop, I knocked over a ceramic pumpkin, shattering it to pieces on the floor. I played it off by pretending I’d just entered the room. Heather jumped up to help clean while Alaric turned a blind eye and went into the kitchen to help Gladys with dinner.

That evening, I sat across from him, waiting for him to nudge my foot or ask where I was the night before. I had gone for a late-night walk to clear my head and not once did I see him following me.

At this point, I’m not really sure what to make of his behavior. I should be relieved, but instead, it’s unsettling.

It’s Saturday morning, and I’m working the night shift tonight. I thought I might pop into Taryn’s early and say hey to Tyler since we haven’t talked much. I’ve been avoiding him for obvious reasons, but if Alaric is backing off, maybe that means his threat about staying away from Tyler no longer holds true. I guess I’m about to find out. It may be a risk, but I really don't think Alaric cares at this point.

I roll out of bed, stretching my arms to the ceiling while letting out a big yawn. The sun is shining brightly and I’m determined to make today a productive one.

Walking over to my dresser, I pull out a pair of denim jeans and a black long-sleeved tee shirt with a white skull on it. On top of the skull is a stack of books. I figure it’s fitting since Halloween is in just three days.

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