Page 22 of Instigator

My jaw drops.

“Maybe I should ask Tyler to check in on you.” He’s the meal prep guy everyone on the team uses. His sister, Amelia, is the team’s physical therapist.

“We’re fine. We’re grown-ass women. We can take care of ourselves.”

He snorts. “You both hyperfixate on work to the detriment of your health.”

I open my mouth to retort, but… I can’t deny it. I’m a workaholic, and so is she. There are worse vices in the world. At least it’s not meth. Although that would probably calm me down.

I love my legally prescribed stimulant medication.

“We’ll figure something out,” Bex cuts in. “Boundaries are hard.”

Nick’s face softens. “I know they are, Bex Marie. And I’m so proud of you for trying.”

It’s with Nick’s voice in my head that I message Wish when I get home.

I’ll never know unless I try.

He joins our game less than two minutes after my invitation. The weight of our awkward conversation, and the lack of communication for the last three days, is heavy in the air.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt.

Wish grunts. “Sorry? What for?”

“I made things weird. And now you’re avoiding me. And⁠—”

His soft chuckle echoes in my ear. “I’m not avoiding you. I’ve been busy.”

“But—”

“My friend was in crisis, and I had to help him. And things have been really busy with work. I had another road trip, although it was only two nights.”

“So we’re okay?” My voice comes out small. Afraid.

I am not afraid. I am not small. I am woman, hear me roar, or however the phrase goes.

“Yeah, Annie,” Wish says, warmth and affection in his tone. “We’re good.”

I clear my throat. “Do you want to play?”

“Sure.”

He starts the game, and I lose myself in the familiarity. His soft breaths, the grunts he makes when he gnashes the controller keys, his warm laughter when I manage to one-up him.

“Hey, Annie?” His voice is quiet through my headset.

“Yeah?”

“Do you really live in Boston?”

“For a long time. You?”

I could have sworn he used to be West Coast based, but maybe I made that up. Or confused him for another of our online friends.

“I moved here four years ago. For work.” He clears his throat. “I live in the Financial District.”

There are plenty of skyscrapers in that part of town. Expensive buildings. I wonder what he does to afford that neighborhood. Is he a finance bro? Tech bro?