The Game of Hearts

6. Followed

I made it to the café with some time to spare. Since I was new, they offered a coffee on the house which I took. When I sat down, I took out the Danish and nibbled on it senselessly while on my phone for idle entertainment. One employee came by to hand me the Iced coffee I ordered. I looked up to thank her, and she left, but in my vision I noticed something peculiar.

Across the café, a man sat in the corner booth. I swore he looked exactly like the guy I saw earlier. He made eye contact with me and quickly looked to the side. Was this guy following me? As a woman that came to my mind first, and my gut told me so.

I crinkled my brow before standing. The time said eleven-forty three, so I had time. I left my drink and my Danish and my drink to leave, walking out to a nearby alley. Once out of sight, I pushed my back up against the wall and waited. Even if I was acting crazy, it felt good to make sure.

Low and behold, a moment later I saw him walk by. Same hood and jeans. Without noise, I walked onto the main sidewalk and cleared my throat. "Are you following me or something? You need a good grab or what?" I crossed my arms as the man stopped in his tracks. He turned and took the hood off.

The first thing to catch me off guard was the bright pink hair, and that he was actually quite short. "I'm so sorry," he quickly said as he approached me. "They made me, okay? I just wanted to get my nails done with my man but Rowan needed someone who you haven't seen before and-"

"I'm sorry, Rowan?!" I seethed.

"He wanted someone to keep an eye on you, to make sure you're okay, that's all," he said and put a hand out for me to shake. "My name's Kagami. I know this is a bad first impression. I don't know why they thought I'd be able to pull this off," he chuckled out as I shook his hand. He seemed very... innocent.

"Okay, and why did Rowan feel the need to keep tabs on me?"

"I'm actually not sure. He didn't give us much of an explanation," he said. "But don't worry, I won't interfere with your work I'll probably just be on my phone the whole time." he gave a cheeky smile and I couldn't help but smile, too.

"Fine," I said. "But when I'm off work, you and I both are going to the bar and setting something straight. I want to see the look on his face when he sees I foiled his plan."

"Damn, I like you already," he said as he and I started walking back into my work. What a weird conversation.

—

At the end of the day, my body felt heavy and gross. So much standing and walking, but I knew if I worked there a little longer than a day, I'd get used to it. Kagami, who is definitely gay, behaved and just hung out on his phone. I told my coworkers he was a friend of mine who got him a free drink too.

The shop closed up, and I walked up to Kagami, who had to wait outside while we finished closing duties. "Okay, lead the way," I said.

"So, do you like Rowan?" He asked as we walked and I chuckled.

"I mean, sure. I don't have any romantic interest in him, though," I said. "He's pretty good in bed, and not a bad catch. He's just... you know... a vampire, so it's only logical that I have no interest in him like that. It wouldn't work," I said.

"Oh?" Kagami went quiet for a moment. "You've seen Rowan's right hand, right? He's really tall and has like sandy brown hair?" I nodded. "That's August, the love of my life," he continued. "We met about four years ago at that very bar. I was fresh outta high school, on my own, and ready to live my life. I was still underage, but Rowan let me, anyway. I grinded up all sorts of people until August really caught my eye. Next thing you know, up in his room... well the rest is history."

"Really?" I asked, and smiled a little. "That's great that you two were able to do that, but I doubt he'll be anything more to me than a good time. Honestly, I'm not really looking for anything like that. Especially with someone like him," I said.

"Makes sense, I understand. I was like that at some point, too."

We made it to the bar. I realized I really like Kagami and can see us being friends. But I couldn't focus on that just yet. We walked into the bar together, and I was quick to find Rowan dancing on the floor with a couple of girls. I scoffed and made my way to him, dragging Kagami with me. "Scram," I said to the girls when I approached them. They looked shocked, but wouldn't budge. I was about to send a glare, but Rowan took me by the waist and dragged us away. "So, my new friend Kagami tells me you wanted me tracked. Why?" I said under my breath as he took us to the bar.

"Can we talk about this in private?" He whispered in my ear and I was about to deny it, but he gave me a weird look. I nodded, and he told Kagami he was free to go, then took us upstairs.

"So?" I asked when we were in his room.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I also just wanted to be nosy, that's all," he said as he sat on the bed. Fresh sheets, again? Did he... last night? No, I couldn't think about that.

"I can take care of myself. I don't need someone following me when I'm just working," I grumbled and leaned against the wall opposite of him. We faced each other. "Some people might declare that as... oh I don't know, stalking?" I huffed. He seemed amused.

"Listen, I was just concerned," he said with a small smirk.

"Yeah, concerned while having other women in your bed, nice jack ass," I scoffed. Why did I sound so jealous?

"How did...?" He was shocked, his face said it all.

"The sheets, you did that when I spent the night, too," I confirmed my thoughts. Whatever, we shared one night together. It was nothing. Too complicated.

"This is all getting a little too much. I think we just shouldn't talk to each other again." I crossed my arms. "First the vampire shit, then stalking me, then sleeping with people on top of that fact, it's weird, man. I'd be fine with you sleeping with other people if you weren't stalking me because you care."

"Wait. Woah, I didn't sleep with them," he stood. "I just drank from them." his brows furrowed and he looked... mad. For some reason. "Don't assume something that you don't know," he said.

"So you didn't sleep with them? But you slept with me, so how could you not sleep with them? I don't understand."

"You were just... very desirable." he shrugged. "I couldn't help myself. Plus you were consenting, they were drunk. I wouldn't do that." his words made my shoulders relax. I was relieved, for some reason...

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed anything," I whispered, feeling somewhat guilty for my actions.

In the corner of my eye, began walking towards me. When I looked up, he was in front of me and his features calmed. "There are plenty of ways you can make it up to me."