I stood and put a ten on the bar. I slid it to Pecker with a nod.

“You barely drank that,” Pecker said.

“Not in the mood.”

“That’s a fucking waste.”

“You got paid.”

My hand went over the mug and I looked over my shoulder to see Prick standing there.

“What’s wrong, big guy?” he asked me. “Cramping from your period?”

“Yeah,” I said.

“Seriously. You’ve been off lately. Is it still this photography thing?”

“Something like that.”

“You really don’t like your picture taken,” Prick said. “Why?”

“I don’t like feeling like I’m being spied on. Watched. You know? Some people just like having time and being alone with that time, Prick.”

“Alone? Time? You need to get laid, brother. Tell you what, I’ll drink this beer. I’ll buy you a shot. Then we find a couple pieces to enjoy for the night tonight.”

“Tell you what,” I said. I reached into my pocket and took out another ten. “You drink my beer. I buy you a shot. I leave. And you do whatever the fuck you want.”

Prick shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever you say, Maddox.”

I walked through the bar. Listening to the chatter of everyone there, the smack of the pool balls, the faint sound of the TVs…Little Mikey’s was a home away from home. But I didn’t want to be there. I didn’t want to be at my real home, either. My mind kept replaying my encounters with Hazel. That’s where I was. Thinking about her. Wondering about her. See, what she didn’t get was that she took pictures with her camera, I took pictures with my eyes. I identified her. It was part of my job. It was something I learned to do a long time ago. It served me well, even gotten me into trouble a few times, but it also led me to St. Skin. Gave me ability to observe, identify, and create.

What the hell was I trying to create with Hazel?

I had no idea.

But I knew I wasn’t going to just let that shit work itself out. She had barged into my world. So, it was my turn to barge into hers.

I knew right where she lived, and it wasn’t all that far of a drive.

Just enough of a drive that I had some time alone to really think. There was a depth to my soul that I rarely shared with those around me. Mostly because the soul was the greatest exposure anyone could give to another. The soul could also be damaged. Through everything in my life, my soul was the one thing I kept intact.

I wanted to know who Hazel was. Why she hid behind her camera. I wanted answers so I could find out why I cared. Yeah, she was beautiful. There was no shame in admitting that. I loved women. But something about Hazel…the green eyes. The dark hair, the way she wore shirts that were modest yet had the ability to hug her perfect curves. Jeans that were nothing fancy but enough to distract me. She was so laid back yet right there in my face. It drove me nuts. So much so that by the time I got to her apartment building, I had a white-knuckle grip on the wheel as though I had been driving in bad weather.

I got out of my truck and went for it.

Nothing in the world could really scare me or keep me from going after something I was interested in.

She lived on the second floor of the building.

I stood at her door for a few seconds, not hesitating, but contemplating.

If something were to happen between us…well, I wouldn’t hold back. Prick was right. I was in need. Strange as it was, ever since Hazel showed up to St. Skin I hadn’t really gone out and enjoyed myself. That wasn’t my style. I was always known for having a good time. But Hazel wiggled her way into a private area and fucked some things up for me.

Now I was going to get my answers. And maybe get her.

I knocked on the door.

There was no answer.

I knocked again.

Nothing.

I put my ear to the door. I couldn’t hear a thing on the inside. No TV. No music.

Nobody was home.

My lip curled as I felt the faintest hint of jealousy. More like a wondering jealousy. Was Hazel out on a date? Out to have some drinks with friends? Did she not take me serious when I hinted about stopping by her apartment?

I knocked one more time.

That’s when I heard a voice behind me.

“I’m calling the police.”

I turned and saw an elderly woman’s head poking out of door right across the hall.

“I’m sorry?” I asked.

“I’m…wait. Who are you?”

“My name is Maddox,” I said. “Do you know Hazel?”

“Yeah. Are you with that guy?”

“That guy? What guy?”

“The one who was yelling.”

“Yelling?”

The woman shook her head. “He comes around every now and again and yells at her. Just yells and hits the door. Curses, too. Said he was going to shoot me tonight. I’d like to see him try! I have a baseball bat in here. He was here again, hitting the door, cursing. Then he left.”

“Where’s Hazel?”

“I don’t know. If she’s not home, then I don’t know. Are you sure you’re not with that guy?”

“I’m not with that guy,” I said. “I was just visiting. Sorry if I disturbed you.”

“Well, if you see him, you tell him I have a baseball bat, and I will call the police.”

“Okay,” I said. “No problem.”

She shut her door.

I turned and looked at Hazel’s door again. I put my hand to it.

Some guy had been pounding on her door? Someone cursing? Someone threatening her? Threatening the neighbor?

What the hell was going on here?

My slight jealousy changed over to intense anger.

Was she in trouble? Was she hiding that trouble?

I turned back around and put my back to the wall. Slowly, I bent my knees and sank down.

My ass hit the floor. I bent my knees and put my hands to them. I just stared forward.

That’s when I thought about her.

The secrets she never told me. The secrets I never got a chance to save her from.

The anger was real. The pain was real.

I took a breath and looked up and back at the apartment door.

I slowly nodded.

I made a promise to myself.

I would not let the same thing happen with Hazel.