I did my best not to appear upset. “Mr. Black, I should finish shopping. I have to get back to my dad.”

“Oh.” His smile faded, fingers slipping into the front pockets of his loose jeans. He’d added more tattoos to his arms and even his neck. He wore a tight, white V-neck shirt that revealed most of his upper chest, and—wait, hold on. What was that poking through the chest of his shirt? Was that a nipple ring? My goodness. How was I supposed to pretend to be upset with him if he kept making himself even hotter? “Right. I’ll let you go then.” He stepped aside, lips pulling upward in a tight, forced smile.

I did the same, stepping around him and completely forgetting about the yogurt. It was on that aisle, but like a selfish little girl, I wasn’t going to get it until he was gone.

Like an idiot, I walked around the store, waiting until I saw Theo check out up front. He looked around the store while pulling out his wallet. He was most likely looking for me, but I stayed hidden on aisle three with my arms full of yogurt, waiting until he was out the door before going to check out myself.

When my items were bagged, I exited the market, relieved to escape the memories of Theo Black on aisle nine, but low and behold, there he stood.

He was casually propped against the front of his car with his arms crossed. Most of the ink on his biceps was on display. His sleeve was a work of art, each intricate piece a symbol of what he stood for. The bow and arrow for bravery. The skulls for the darkness within him. Even the tribal signs for his wild, primal side.

I started to stop, but a car honked at me, forcing me to keep going. Theo pushed off of his car with a small gleam in his eyes, one that I didn’t quite understand. To me it read, I’m up to something, while also saying, I’m going to get you to talk to me! I don’t care if it’s the last thing I do, Chloe!

I opened my back door, tossing the bags inside. Through my peripheral, I saw him coming closer, his white shirt appearing brighter beneath the blazing sun. I opened my door, started to close it, but he caught it just in time, pulling it open.

“Alright,” he sighed, arms folding again. “What’s the deal here, Little Knight?”

Little Knight.

Ugh.

That name made me want to spasm around him countless times.

“What are you talking about?” I asked instead, maintaining my standoffish behavior.

“I know when you’re upset about something. Shit, if anyone has the right to be upset it should be me.” He cocked a brow. “So why are you upset with me? I haven’t spoken to you in three whole years. Please tell me what I did—why you’re hanging onto a grudge with me.”

“You didn’t do anything.”

He leaned forward, his cologne brushing past my nose. “Sure about that?”

“Positive.” Lies.

He chuckled, eyes locking with mine. “If nothing’s wrong, what’s a harmless grilling out at my place going to do?”

“You know damn well why I can’t come over there.”

“We have a lot to discuss.”

“Yeah, like your new girlfriend,” I scoffed, looking away.

“Oh, so that’s what it is.” He was amused by my response, lips quirked. “But what about you, huh? I heard all about your football playing boyfriend.” His amusement faded. He seemed agitated with the fact that I actually had someone else around after him. I guess we were on the same boat, but I would never admit to it.

“He’s not my boyfriend anymore.” I looked up.

“And she’s not my girlfriend.”

I rolled my eyes, starting my car. “Whatever you say, Mr. Black.” His brown eyes were hard. He hated when I called him that. It reminded him of the old days, back when everything was okay—way before he ever took my virginity. Gripping the wheel, I focused ahead on the parking lot full of cars. Knowing he wasn’t going to leave until he received a response, I calmly said, “I can’t come.”

“Why not?”

“I just… can’t.”

Theo straightened his back, blowing out a breath. Then, he shut my door, and I frowned, watching as he walked away. I thought he’d surely had enough, but I was wrong. He marched around the back of my car, met at my passenger door, opened it, and slid into my coupe, a grin on his lips, one that eerily reminded me of Izzy when she was up to no good.

“You have no excuse. You’re home. You don’t have any homework or tests to hold you back. You obviously have a nurse or someone that can watch over your dad, otherwise he’d be here with you, so come tomorrow night. I’ll have everything ready. Drinks on me.” He flashed a crooked, boyish smile. “I learned how to make frozen margaritas.”

I shook my head. “No.”

“I won’t get out of this car until you say yes.”

I laughed. “I think you’re forgetting that I live a house away from you.”

He wiggled his brows. “And while you go inside, I’ll still be sitting in the car. I won’t leave.”

“Sounds stalkerish.” He chuckled. It was nice to see it actually touch his eyes. I sighed. I didn’t want to give in. I couldn’t. No way. I looked forward again.

“Listen,” he murmured, “I get why you don’t want to come, but I promise I won’t behave the same way I did three years ago. It’ll be… better. I’m not the same sad man you had to take care of back then. I’m better now, and I got a little help.”

“Hmm.”

“What?” He lifted his hands in the air innocently, that crooked grin still present. “I’m serious. I won’t.”

I looked him in the eyes briefly before dropping my line of sight. Inhaling and then exhaling, I finally agreed, but I was still a bit reluctant. “Alright, Theo. But I’m only coming for the food and drinks you promised. Nothing more.”

“Food and drinks. You got it.” The laugh lines around his eyes formed again, his eyes chinking up. Grabbing the handle, he pushed the door open and stepped out of the car, but before taking off, he bent down to look at me. “Tomorrow night. Come around six. No need to knock.” And with that, I was left with a wink and his heart-stuttering smile before he took off, hopped into his Charger, and drove away.

Collecting the emotions that’d easily gone astray, I finally pulled out of the parking lot and drove home, unable to fight the smile that lingered on my lips. I shouldn’t have agreed, but “yes” was the only answer I could give. When a man like Theo looks you in the eyes, pleads, and begs, and then offers food and drinks, you can’t say no. Only a fool would decline.

It worried me that we would get carried away with the drinking, become too comfortable and end up like we were before. But this time, I knew better. I was older, and he said he sought help, which was great. He was in need of it back then, especially when I was no longer able to assist him.

He seemed better, like his head was back on straight again. He seemed content with his life for the most part, but there was some part of him that would always be missing.

Sadly, I wasn’t sure if it was Mrs. Black he was missing or the girl that helped him up to his bedroom during those lonely, drunken nights. Theo confused me, but we were much older now, and I was sure if he could put the past behind him, so could I.

It would be one night of harmless eating and drinking. And then I’d be back home, and soon off to college never to deal with Mr. Black again. One night I could give… right?

EIGHT

The last person I ever thought I’d see again was her.

Chloe. Little Chloe Knight. That girl. The one that made me do unspeakable things. The girl that, somehow, set my soul on fire. The girl that made me feel good and pure and safe, but at the same time bad, dirty, and wrong. There was just something about her.