Chapter 24
Camilla
My teeth chatter as I rush to my closet in search of clothes. After putting on a T-shirt and a pair of sweats, I scramble back into the living room for my pocketbook. With trembling hands, I pull my phone out and drop it on the floor as I run back to the bedroom. I double back, pick it up, and dial nine-one-one as I lock myself in my bedroom again. Searching the room for a weapon but finding none, I hide in the closet as I speak to the police.
Loud thumps sound in my store down below, stop, and sound again. Vibrations from the chaos downstairs travel across the floor. I debate leaving my safe-haven to go down and see for myself what is going on. The muffled sound of voices carry to my hiding spot, and then silence.
I strain my ears, waiting for what feels like hours, even though my phone only shows minutes, for the voices to sound again, or for Stone to come back and tell me what’s going on. I wait, but nothing happens. I’m not good at being a damsel in distress or waiting for someone else to take care of my problems. But, I remind myself, this isn’t an ordinary town with regular people.
“Come on, Stone,” I whisper to myself, again contemplating going downstairs to make sure he’s okay. What if he’s not? What if my fear of believing in a promise of forever somehow broughtthis on? That’s crazy. Still, I hurt him, and I didn’t mean to. I shouldn’t have hesitated, but I was scared. What if something happens to Stone before I have a chance to tell him that I do want forever with him?
Sirens blare, and my heart stutters with worry. I continue to wait, checking my phone for a message every few seconds. Where is he, and why hasn’t he returned? He wouldn’t leave me here. Not if I was in danger, and not without letting me know the coast is clear.
I don’t want to wait any longer, but I worry that if the situation isn’t handled, I may distract Stone and cause him harm. I waste away precious time, arguing both sides with myself until I start at the pounding on my bedroom door. It’s not Stone. Whoever it is made it past Stone’s protection. Tears pool in my eyes as I hold my breath and try to silence my pounding heart.
“Camilla,” it’s a male voice, but it isn’t deep and rumbly. I’m not sure what to do. Whoever it is jiggles the doorknob. “Camilla, it’s Drake, Stone’s friend. I need to speak to you.” I don’t move. I try not to breathe. After a few silent minutes, a message comes across my phone screen.
Raven: Stone wants you to spend the night with Drake and Sandy. If you want, Cayden and I will come too.
Me: Why isn’t Stone telling me himself?The typing bubbles don’t immediately appear.
Raven: He went with the police down to the station to file a report. The glass windows downstairs are broken. It’s not safe for you to stay there, and he doesn’t want you to be alone.
Me: If you want to come here and stay with me, fine, but I’m not leaving. Not without Stone.
I call him, but the call goes straight to voicemail. Something happened to Stone. He told me to wait here until he returns, and that’s what I intend to do.
“THIS IS EXCITING,”Raven says, as Drake and Cayden move the furniture to make room for air mattresses. “I’ve never been to a sleepover before.”
“Oh yeah?” Cayden says to her. “What do you call sleeping with me?”
Raven glares at him.
“Me either,” Sandy chimes in, completely ignoring Cayden’s comment. “Not with people, anyway.”
I’m not sure what that means, and I don’t care. All I care about is finding out what happened and making sure Stone is okay. I hug my arms around my chest as I listen to the upbeat banter around me. I try to tell myself that these are Stone’s friends, and they wouldn’t be laughing and joking around about sleepovers if Stone wasn’t safe, right? Honestly, I don’t care who sleeps here, as long as Stone does.
“Has anyone heard from Stone?” I direct my question to the guys. “I don’t understand why he’s giving the police a statement and not me. And shouldn’t he be back by now?” Cayden and Drake share a look, shake their heads, and then act like they don’t even know each other. “What?” I ask the men.
“What?” Drake asks, playing dumb.
“That look,” I motion between the two men. “You know something that you’re not telling me. And there’s no way Stone would be more comfortable with me staying here with you guys than with him.”
They share another telling look. “Tell me what’s going on. Now. If you don’t, I’m leaving, and I’m not coming back until I find him.”
Nothing. Neither man moves.
“Okay, see you all later,” I grab my pocketbook. Raven shoves Cayden’s shoulder as I turn back and give them one last chance to speak. “Don’t wait up!”
