I blinked the thought away, hardly able to even consider it as my eyes stung with tears. If something happened to him, I didn’t know if I’d survive it.
CHAPTER 38
Catch Me if You Can
SARAFINA
We were the last couple to enter the haunted house. “Don’t get scared.” Carter hummed into my ear. God, even the sound of his voice was sexy.
I tightly clutched Carter’s arm as our eyes adjusted. Ihatedbeing scared, but with a date, maybe it was thetiniestbit fun being chased with chainsaws and bloody knives. Besides, if this was the price I had to pay to hold on to Carter’s bulging biceps, I supposed it was a steal of a deal.
As we navigated our way through the haunted house, I hardly paid attention to all the creepy stuff. Closing my eyes as Carter chuckled at me and guided us through each room, completely unfazed.
Suddenly, something cold and wet splattered on us, and I screamed as a gurgling zombie jumped out, dragging a bloody hand over my cheek before he tried to drag me away.
Carter straight-armed the guy and hauled me into the next room, slamming the door shut behind us.
“Disgusting.” I muttered, using the back of my hand to wipe my face. “I definitely could have done without that.” Carter grimaced, looking stressed. “What’s the matter, big guy?” I asked,pushing up on tiptoe, threading my arms around his neck as I batted my lashes at him innocently. “Are you scared?”
“Says the girl who’s had her eyes shut this whole time.” He chuckled.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, wondering why he was so incredibly tense.
He looked around warily. “I don’t love this kind of thing.”
“Me neither, but I love doing it with you.” I poked his stomach. It didn’t give, not even a little. The corner of his mouth quirked up, and he grabbed my hand, pulling me down a new hallway quickly enough that no monsters pounced on us.
He locked onto a dark corner, and I yelped with delight as he hauled me into the alcove. Wide hands slid under my sweatshirt, circling my waist as he gazed down at me, a little breathless. His thumb brushed over my cheek, wiping away the residual fake blood, but it sent a zing of awareness through me. The corner of my mouth pulled up in a sheepish grin, and I bit my lip as he cupped my face in both his hands.
“Hi.” I breathed.
His eyes softened like he was looking at a helpless baby deer, and I wondered if I could melt into a puddle from just a look.
“Hi.” He whispered, a sweet boyish grin enveloping his whole face.
Suddenly, he cocked his head. “What?” I hissed nervously.
He put his index finger over his lips, signaling me to stay quiet. “Liam and Jules.” He mouthed, blocking my body with his in the alcove.
I listened as the voices came closer. “…you ever wonder what would have happened if you and Gina hadn’t stayed together after high school? Like who you would have met instead? How your life would have been different?” Jules asked.
“Do you wonder that about you and Doug?” Liam asked, avoiding her question altogether.
“Maybe? I don’t know.” Jules sighed, coming closer, and I couldn’t help but dig my fingers into Carter’s side. Paybackfor last night. He flinched, but he was grinning at me like a fool from behind his hand while he shushed me.
Suddenly, there was a scuffle and a roar before an eerie howl rang out and then disappeared just as quickly.
“Yuuuck!” Jules yelped, sounding like she was right next to me now. “I didn’t know it was going to be so goddamnstickyin here.” I stifled a laugh, realizing they were right on the other side of the wall.
Liam chuckled. “Honestly, Jules, I’ve really been trying not to think about it.”
“Oh, eww.” she said. “You just made it even worse, and nowit’sall over my hands.” She complained.
“Here,” Liam laughed gruffly. “Let me.”
“Thanks.” She groaned as their voices slowly disappeared. “But I’ve probably already contracted some filthy disease. It’s too late for me.” She sighed dramatically. “I’m a goner.”
Liam’s laugh was muffled in the distance, and I didn’t hear his retort over the thundering music and screams.
