“Hey, hey… Slow down on that, yeah? Gonna get yourself sick.” I snatch the glass bottle away from you, and you whine. “Shut it. I’m not dealing with you all sloshed and we’re not here for fun. This is business.”

That seems to shut you up enough, relaxing back against the musty sofa. My knee bounces anxiously, like it always does during trips like this, as we wait for ‘The Boss’ to come out.

I shouldn’t have brought you with me. It’s not safe here. But what the hell else was I supposed to do? Leave you back at my place with my guys there to babysit? Yeah, no. Knowing them, I’d come back to something I’m not ready to admit I’d hate.

You’re not meant for this lifestyle, even if you’ve adapted well enough. You should be in class right now, getting your study on or whatever. Not at a dealers house about to try and bargain for a lower price. Shits gonna get me killed, I just know it. But as long as you get out unscathed, I’ll have my peace of mind.

We met back when I actually used to attend the university my parents pay for. They don’t really know that I’ve stopped attending. We had ECON together and I…used you—for lack of better words—to help me not flunk out. And, well, that led you down a dangerous rabbit hole called me.

I can’t lie, it was instant attraction. After I’d use your brain, I’d use your body. And you’d let me.

That’s all it was, and that’s all it still is. We hook up, hang out, and go about our lives. Even if they’re more integrated than they used to be. Since you were hanging around so much, you obviously found out what I do for a paycheck. Buying and selling substances, that is. At first, you didn’t like it, but as soon as you got a taste of it—figuratively and literally—you were hooked to the high.

I’ve made sure you never dabble too far for your own good, someone’s gotta keep you in line, but I always make sure you’re having fun. I’m not sure why. It’s not like you’re my girlfriend or anything… You’re just cool, I guess. My gang seems to like you, maybe a bit too much. And your presence seems to silence that weird, constant buzzing in my head. Whatever that means.

I’ll let you hang around, but dammit if it doesn’t stress me the hell out.

A wall of a man walks into the room and immediately my nervous leg stops. Calm and causal, I have to remember. You sit up straighter too, but a bit more wobbly from the free liquor the guy here was supplying you.

“Heard you’re looking for some goods?” The man—or The Boss, I’m presuming—speaks, his voice low and authoritative.

“You’d be right,” I reply, keeping my tone smooth.

“How much you willing to give for it?” Oh god, here goes nothing…

“I was thinking you could give me a nice deal… First time customer discount?”

He laughs, a booming sound, and I think I’ve got him just where I want him. But then I see his eyes darken. “How about no deal and you give me the girl?”

My heart sinks, but I can’t let it show. I kiss my teeth and shake my head. “She’s not for sale, Boss.”

“Yeah…” He takes a step closer, the floor creaking beneath him. But he doesn’t move toward me, he moves toward you. “But you could always share, hm?” I watch in horror as his hand reaches out to grasp your chin, lifting your gaze to him.

Bright, flashing red lights go off in my head when he touches you. Which, I don’t have time to overthink. All that’s running through my head right now is ‘Mine’.

“Get your hands off my girl,” I bite out the words, and hope we can both brush past me claiming you like that. I’ve never done that before.

Luckily, the man removes his hands and holds them beside his head in mock surrender. “Looks like I struck a nerve…”