My knuckles are white around the steering wheel, parked far enough away that they can't see me, close enough that every second is pure torture. The fairy lights in those trees are making everything look like some romantic fucking movie scene, and I'm the psychopath watching from the shadows like a man possessed.

Her laugh carries through the night air. My jaw clenches so hard it hurts. I've known that laugh since we were kids. Known her longer than this asshole who thinks he deserves to make her smile. He keeps looking at her lips when she talks, and every time he does, something dark and violent twists in my chest.

They're getting closer to her door now. I can see him leaning in, trying to create one of those perfect movie moments under the twinkling lights. My phone's already in my hand, thumbs hovering over the keyboard. I shouldn't. I really fucking shouldn't...

But I watch him inch closer, and something snaps.

"Hate to interrupt, but we're going to have a serious fucking problem if you let him kiss you."

Send.

I watch her pull out her phone. Watch the way she freezes. Even from here, I can see the slight tremor in her hands as she reads it. Her date looks confused, probably wondering why she suddenly stopped. Good. Let him wonder. Let him feel as unsettled as I've felt watching them all night.

My heart's racing, blood rushing in my ears. I'm going to lose everything over this - my best friend, maybe even her. But watching another man try to claim what's mine... I'd rather burn it all down than see that happen.

She's looking around now, searching the darkness. Does she know I'm here? Can she feel me watching, wanting, drowning in this obsession that's eating me alive?

One truth echoes in my mind: She's mine. She just doesn't know it yet.

The fairy lights keep twinkling, oblivious to the war raging in my chest. Let him try to take her from me. I dare him.