Eat Me

ChapterSix

I'd agreed with Warren to hang out after my shift, knowing full well I wouldn't be home until around eleven. Rather than having him wait around for me, I gave him the keys to my flat and told him to order in and set up the movie for when I got home. The plan was to go home and sneakily fall asleep mid-movie whilst Warren stroked my hair, but after the day I had, I now planned to stop off and grab a couple of tinnies from the off license.

One of the new chefs hadn't shown up for work, and when the dinner rush came around, my feet were jumping between the kitchen and the restaurant floor. Now, I'm no Mitchellin star chef, but I'd be damned if I couldn't fry some chicken wings. Ian hadn't even bothered to call this guy to see what his excuse was. It was the third new member of staff in the last month that stopped turning up to work.

As one of the last people to leave, Daz offered to walk with me part way home before jumping on the bus. He, too, had pulled a double shift and was now looking worse for wear. The last thing I was going to do was make him go out of his way to walk with me. He reluctantly agreed on the promise that I would text him the moment I was home.

I messaged Warren to let him know I had left work. I didn't need him worrying about where I was either.

Another chilly night was in store and the hoodie I'd adorned was definitely not up to the task of keeping the chill out.

The ding of the shop door indicated my safe haven for light, warmth, and booze. I picked up a couple of cans of fruit cider and headed to the counter to pay, finding it odd, I was the only customer and subsequently, inhabitant, in the shop itself.

It became more of a joke that I was waiting to pay for my items when apparently no one wanted to serve me. Time was pushing on, and I needed to get back.

"Hello," I called out. Old man Trevor loved his shop more than anything in the world. I'd been coming here almost daily since I'd moved in to my flat, so it was unlike him to leave the till unattended. "Trev?" I called over the counter toward the back room that lead up to his apartment. After what felt like an eternity, I pulled out a fiver and left it on the counter. It wasn't enough for what I'd picked up, but I'd happily pay the rest on my way home from work tomorrow evening. It's not like I could get in the till and give myself change anyway.

Exiting the store in a huff, I walked straight into the back of someone. Cider falling to my feet, I grunted in frustration. Hopefully they were still salvageable.

A large, tattoo-laden hand reached for them, picking them up with ease.

"Cider, huh. Long day?" His voice was smooth and familiar, a hint of a smile in his words. As he stood tall in front of me, I craned my neck up a few inches to meet his gaze. Instantly, I was swept up in the earthy tones in his eyes, piercing through my very soul. Of all the people in the world for me to see, it had to be him.

Bathroom God.

"More like a long couple of days." I absent-mindedly toyed with the sleeve of my hoodie. Here he was, looking all tall, dark and, well, slightly intimidating, and then there was me, smelling like cooked meat and fried onions, and looking like death.

He reached out, passing me the drinks from his hand. "Guess you'll be needing these then."

I reached for them, just as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one up. "Come on, I'll walk you home."

A nod from him, gesturing to me to lead the way left me puzzled.

Did he remember me from the other night?

Did I want him to walk with me?

I didn't know this guy, barely spent five minutes with him. Yet, his air of confidence I found somewhat comforting and also a little unnerving. Much like a safety blanket sitting dangerously close to a raging fire.

"Who said I was going home?" We'd already begun slowly walking in the direction of my flat.

"Planning on sitting in a park and drinking those? Be my guest, just know that we might need more than a couple of cans."

We.

I couldn't help but be torn between the warm fuzzy feeling inside at his persistence, and that little niggling feeling in the back of my mind, wondering what his game was?

"You know, I am a big girl and I can walk myself home."

"I'm sure you can, darling." His smile came across a little smug for my liking, almost patronizing. He flicked his finished cigarette on the ground and proceeded to light another.

I tried to bite my tongue, he probably meant nothing by it... but what if he did mean something?

"I have managed to walk home alone for the past, oh, I don't know, fourteen years."

"Good to know." He smirked. "How old are you?"

"Twenty eight, why?"

"Trying to get to know you is'all."

"I reiterate, why?"

He laughed, it didn't last more than a second, but something about hearing it left a small smile on my face.

"Are you always this suspicious of people?" He asked with a hint of a smile.

"Yes, and no."

He laughed again, this time softer, almost pitying me.

Standing at the bottom of my steps, I took one last look at the man in front of me. "So, this is me."

His eyes scanned the building, as if inspecting it for something. Being so late, my window was one of the few ones in the building with light peeking through the curtains. I took a step-up, half expecting when I turned around for him to be gone.

"Not gonna invite me in?"

"I don't even know your name," I scoffed.

"Justin." He took a step forward. "Got company?" His eyes flicked up to the movement behind my curtains.

Warren had most probably heard me talking and checked to see who I was with.

Great. That'll take some explaining.

"For someone who's just walked a stranger home, you sure have a lot of questions." I looked to the door and back to him. "Yes, Justin, I have company. Now, as you can see, I've made it safely to my door. Thanks for keeping me company, I guess." I put the key in the lock, giving him a wave as I opened the door.

"Good night, Cassy. I'll be seeing you."