Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The buzzing pulled me from a rare moment of quiet. I'd just gotten home from the studio, the jacket I wore still slung over one shoulder, and my keys halfway to the hook by the door when my phone started to vibrate.
I frowned at the screen, pausing mid-step.
Jela.
For a moment, I considered ignoring it. Hell, my thumb hovered right over the decline button. But something in my chest twisted—not fear exactly, but tension. A pressure I hadn't been able to fully shake since she reappeared in my orbit.
Reluctantly, I answered.
"...What do you want?"
There was a pause, as if she didn't expect me to pick up. Her voice came through low, calm, too smooth for her usual drama. "Damn. That's the greeting I get?"
"I'm not in the mood, Jela," I said flatly. "Say whatever you called to say."
Another pause. Then, "I know who he is."
My stomach tensed. "Who?"
"You know who, Trayvon." Her voice dipped. "The boy. The one who went into your apartment a few nights ago. I had a friend swing by. They saw him, pretty, wearing one of your hoodies. Cute."
I didn't say anything. I didn't have to, she'd already struck too close.
She laughed softly, but there was no humor in it. "Didn't know you were into boys now. That's new. Explains a lot about why you were so damn moody toward the end of us."
"Jela," I said, jaw clenched, "I'm telling you now. Fuck off. You're doing way too much. You stalked me, got someone to follow someone else? That's not just messy. It's criminal."
"Oh, please," she snapped, tone souring instantly. "Don't start threatening legal shit like you some law firm abiding saint. You think the cops care about people like us? I'm just saying, if he means that much to you, maybe you should've kept him out of sight."
I felt my hands curl into fists. "Are you threatening him?"
"I'm just saying," she said slowly, venomously, "it'd be a shame if something happened. Chicago's a big place. Not always safe."
My mouth went dry.
"You've really lost your mind," I muttered. "This ain't love, Jela. This is obsession. You try anything, anything and I swear to God, I will bury you legally. You won't see daylight again."
"Calm down," she said, suddenly amused again. "I didn't say I'd do anything. I've just got eyes. That's all."
"What is your issue?"
"Because you left," she said, finally showing her cards. "You just dipped. Like I didn't mean anything to you. And now you're over here playing house with someone who wouldn't last a week in my shoes."
