My pride demanded I leave, but as always, my hunger overrode all.
I pulled the plate toward me and realized it was near full. He’d only eaten a few pieces of bacon. Weird. Josh usually ate like a horse. I once saw him mow down a double decker burger, large fries, two hot dogs, and a chocolate milkshake in less than twenty minutes.
For a doctor, he ate like crap.
I finished half the plate and returned to Josh’s room to change back into my clothes from last night. My dress was horribly uncomfortable compared to the softness of Josh’s shirt, but I resisted the urge to steal his clothes for myself. That was girlfriend behavior, and God knew I wasn’t his girlfriend.
By the time I was ready to leave, Josh still hadn’t gotten out of the shower.
I debated waiting for him so I could say bye, but that felt too awkward, so I sent him a quick text and slipped out quietly instead.
I’d just climbed into my Uber when a new message popped up on my screen.
No text, just an image. A still image from the tape, to be exact. I was on my knees while—
I quickly deleted it, but the bacon and eggs I ate earlier resurfaced in my throat.
Max.
I’d pushed him to the back of my mind while I was with Josh, but now, my anxiety from last night rushed back in a wave of nausea.
I knew exactly why he sent that picture. To fuck with my head and remind me of his dark, looming presence in my life. That was his M.O. He liked to toy with people until they drove themselves insane and did all the hard work for him.
I closed my eyes, trying to relax, but the car smelled like overly sweet air freshener and it made me gag even more.
I wished I could rewind time and freeze it so I stayed in the comforting oblivion of Josh’s house forever, but there was no hiding from the truth in the harsh light of day.
I could only hope that whatever “favor” Max asked of me was doable…or my life as I knew it would be over.