Tempt the Ex (Tempt 2.5)

“No,” I said as I started thinking how crazy this sounded.

“Is there any way this could be from a secret admirer? Now that you’re single and all?”

I shook my head. “I can’t think of anyone who would do this.”

“Okay, I’ll fill out a report, but I have to be honest with you. We have nothing to go by. But I will give you a case number, so if something happens and you call 911, they can reference it.” He spent the next ten minutes going over all kinds of shit I didn’t even really listen to. I just grabbed the paper, said thank you, and walked out.

The day dragged on, and I felt like nothing was going my way. Getting dressed, I texted Arya four times, and when someone knocked on my door and AJ was there, I didn’t know what to say. “I can’t get in touch with Arya,” I said as he took in my costume, which I had seriously thought about changing since I looked like a hooker. My boobs were squished so tight I felt my chin would bruise if I bounced.

“She just called me and said she got a lift there.” He stood there with his Darth Vader mask under one arm. “Shall we?”

He motioned to the stairs as I grabbed my coat and followed him down the stairs. We made small talk in the car as well as when we walked into the party. The music was so loud at that point, and the room was jam-packed. I kept looking around to see if I knew anyone after I took my coat off, but I didn’t see anyone familiar. I smiled at AJ and then went my own way.

I weaved my way through the crowd, finally coming face-to-face with Arya. “Where were you?” I asked her as she was drinking from a red Solo cup. “I thought we were coming together, and AJ would pick us up.”

She shook her head. “Nah, I decided to throw the guy a bone by letting you guys be alone.”

I looked at her as I crossed my arms over my chest. “Why the fuck would you do that? I told you that I didn’t want to date him, so how is it right that you throw him a bone?”

I looked at her face, and at that moment right there, I wanted to punch her right in the throat. Instead, I turned around and headed straight for the door. I grabbed my jacket and walked out.

So, I’m here now on the street, freezing my ass off since it’s almost like I’m naked. I stop at the light before crossing the street when I feel someone walking behind me. My hand goes into my pocket as I fist the pepper spray that I have in there, and when I feel a hand on my arm, I swing around, aiming and spraying the pepper spray.

I yell out at the same time as the person wearing a brown cop uniform with a helmet. He tries to duck out of the way when I hear his voice. “Dani!” I stop spraying and look at the person in the eyes, well, not in the eyes, because he’s too busy moaning and groaning while he tries to rub the liquid from his eyes.

“Oh my god, John, is that you?” I ask, shocked.

He winces in pain as he coughs, and I see the water bottle in his hand.

“Oh my god,” I say as he gets on his knees in the middle of the sidewalk.

“Ahhhhhh!” he yells as I pour the water on his face, but the bottle is only half full. I whip my jacket off as I try to hand it to him, but he leans over, heaving on the sidewalk.

“Oh my god!” I shriek. “This is bad. This is so bad.” I get on my knees in front of him. I see a cab drive by and flag him down with one hand as I crouch down next to him. When the car pulls over, I tell him, “I got a cab. You just need to get up.” I squat in front of him, holding his hand and helping him get to his feet. I walk to the cab sideways while I see John try blinking his eyes again.

“It burns,” he says as he squeezes his eyes closed again.

“Just follow me,” I tell him as I lead him by his hand and get into the car. “Okay, bend down,” I tell him as he stumbles into the car. “Do you think we should go to the ER?” I ask him as he continues trying to open his eyes.

“I think I’m blind,” he says as he tries to open his eyes again. “Take me home,” he says as he winces. “Why the fuck did you have spray with you?” he asks as he tries just one eye this time. “Still burns.”