The cold wind whipped through your hair as you made your way toward the apartment complex. Exhaustion tugged at your limbs after a long shift, your mind clouded with one simple desire: collapse into bed and shut out the world.

When you finally arrived at your apartment door, you fumbled for the keys, eager to escape the biting cold. Your hand paused on the doorknob, a soft click sounding as you twisted it open with ease. Your brows knitted together as a surge of anxiety raced through your chest. You knew you had locked the door before leaving—hadn’t you?

You stepped inside cautiously, scanning the dimly lit room. The faint scent of smoke hit you before you saw him. There, lounging casually on your worn-out couch, was a figure that sent a jolt of recognition through you. He sat with his legs spread wide, an air of dangerous nonchalance surrounding him.

TJ.

His mismatched eyes slid over to you, half-lidded yet sharp, as if he’d been expecting this moment all along. "Took your time," he drawled, his voice gravelly, carrying an edge of irritation. "I’ve been waiting for a while now… and you even moved without telling me."

You stood frozen in the doorway, unsure whether to speak or run. He leaned back, tapping the ash off his cigarette, his lips curling into a mocking grin. "It really pissed me off."