I take another sip as my thighs tighten. I’ve wanted to kiss him for so long, and I pray that tonight is the night that happens.
He slows down the car and exits the road onto a gravel drive. I turn and look out the back window but can only see the red glow from the brakes behind us. “Where are we?” I ask.
“You’ll see.” He remains cryptic, and I take another sip.
He brings the car to a stop and turns it off. “Come on.”
I push open the door and do a three-sixty, looking at our surroundings. “Eli, that’s the Lowes house,” I say, pointing over in the general direction of the only lights on at this time of night.
“I know.” He walks around to the back of his car and pops the trunk.
I follow and watch him unzip a black duffel bag. Before I can see what’s in it, he yanks out a flashlight and zips it back up. “Come on.” He shuts his trunk and grabs my hand. My knees threaten to buckle at the contact. Then he begins to walk me up a hill.
We stay silent. The only sound is our shoes crunching on the ground beneath us. The weather hasn’t been as crazy as usual. We haven’t had any rain in a couple of weeks.
I shiver from the cool night air and take another small sip of the vodka. My chest heats from the burning alcohol, and I take another.
We walk in silence, and I turn to look back at the car, but nothing’s there. Just the dark night surrounding us, hiding us. And I take another sip.
We come to the top of the hill, and my legs falter, bringing us both to a stop. “What are we doing here?” I ask, and my voice shakes.
He turns to face me, his light shining down on the ground. “I told you, this is my favorite place.”
Is he joking? He’s got to be fucking with me. “Eli, this is an abandoned cemetery.”
He shrugs. “And?”
I swallow nervously. “It’s creepy.”
An evil smile lights up his face as bright as the flashlight he holds. “I know.” Then he turns and starts to drag my heavy feet through the bodies laid to rest and never thought of again. I watch as names I’ve known for years in this town but never really knew pass by us. But then there’s one I know all too well. Betty Reynolds—Cole’s mother. She was always so nice to me. She’d go out of her way to say hello or check on you.
“Here we are.” Eli gets my attention as he comes up to the cliff that overlooks the ocean. He releases my hand and sits down on the ledge. When I make no move to get any closer, he turns to look up at me. “Come on.” He pats the spot next to him.
“I’m afraid of heights.” I shake my head; my hand tightens on the cup.
His face grows serious, brown eyes looking up at me. “I’d never let anything happen to you, D.” He lifts his hand to mine. “Come on. I wanna show you something.”
I take in a deep breath and then take another drink before I place my hand in his along with all my trust.
CHAPTER TWELVE
DEKE
WE ENTER COLE’Shouse to find Austin sitting at the kitchen table with a plate of untouched pasta in front of her, the fork in her hand just pushing it around. The moment we enter, she stands, and her green eyes widen. “Oh.” She’s surprised when she looks at Bennett and then Shane.
Did Cole not mention to her that they were coming?
“Hey, Austin.” Bennett is the first one to greet her; he walks over and gives her a hug. She returns it. Shane stays where he is, settling for a nod. She gives him a smile, but it looks forced.
“I’m off to bed,” I state. “I’m fucking tired.”
Bennett slaps me on the back.
“I’m gonna go for a swim,” Cole announces to no one in particular. He turns, exiting the kitchen, and heads up to their room to change into his board shorts.
“If any of you are hungry, there is spaghetti in the fridge.” Austin mumbles, “Excuse me,” and exits the kitchen after Cole.
I, too, make my way up the stairs, not bothering with dinner. I had a late lunch. Closing my door, I hear them talking through the wall.
