I slammed my apartment door and leaned against it, my heart trying to punch its way out of my chest.
I was safe. I was home. But I was not free.
I could still feel his hand. The exact, rough press of his palm against the bare skin of my lower back. It was seared into me. I slid down to the floor, my legs finally giving out.
In my right fist, I was still clutching my grandmother's locket so tight the heart-shaped pendant had left an imprint in my palm.
Run.
That low, quiet word echoed in the silent apartment. It wasn't a memory in my ears. It was a vibration in my bones.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Maya.
Maya: Did you get the loot? Do I need to bring wine and hear a story about you keying Ben's car?
I stared at the screen.
Me: Got the locket. Also got seen by the new roommate. I was stuck. Like, physically stuck under Ben's door. He found me.
Three dots appeared instantly. Then my screen lit up with her call.
"Start from the beginning," she said, no greeting. "And do not leave out a single detail, especially about the roommate. What's his name?"
"Jax." Just saying his name felt dangerous.
"Jax," she repeated. "Good name. Solid. Now talk."
So I did. I told her about the boots by my head, the way he filled the space, the calm in his stormy eyes. I told her about his hands pulling me free but not letting go. The thumb stroking my spine. The way he said my name. The way he looked at my mouth.
When I got to the part about Ben walking in, she gasped. "No! The drama!"
"And then, as I passed him," I whispered, "Jax said one word. Just one. So only I could hear."
"What? What did he say?"
"He said, 'Run.'"
Maya was silent for a full three seconds. "Oh, my God."
"Is that bad? It felt… it didn't feel bad."
"Ella, that is not bad. That is literature. That's a hero line. He wasn't telling you to get out. He was telling you the game was on. You have to see him again."
"That's insane," I said, but the traitorous heat in my stomach bloomed. "It's the worst idea in the history of bad ideas. He lives with my ex."
"It's a delicious mess. You left something there."
"I didn't. I have the locket, my keys…"
"You left your pride and sanity. But we need a real excuse. Think. A hair tie? A lip gloss?"
I looked around. "My earring. My blue stud. It must have fallen out when I was struggling on the floor."
"Yes!" Maya crowed. "That's your ticket back. Now, you don't go tomorrow. You let the tension marinate. You go the day after. And you wear the black jeans. The ones that make your ass look like a national treasure."
I laughed. "You're crazy."
"I'm your best friend. It's my job. Go get your man, or at least your earring. Text me updates."
After I hung up, I saw a new notification. A text. From Ben.
Ben: Heard you made a dramatic exit. You okay?
My blood went cold. Jax must have told him something.
Me: I'm fine. Got my locket. Sorry about the key piece in your lock.
Ben: Don't worry about it. Jax fished it out. He said you seemed… upset.
Upset. Is that what Jax called it?
Me: Just a stressful situation. Thanks for understanding.
I put the phone down. It stayed dark. The silence felt different now. It felt like something was gathering.
I knew what I had to do. I would wait one day. Then I would go back. I would get my earring. And I would look Jax in the eyes again.
This time, I wouldn't run.