“Eva,” Penny calls. “We’re starting without you.”
The sound of the opening scene of a film I wasn’t allowed to choose starts in the background.
“Coming,” I shout back and shove the invitation into my chest of drawers. Out of sight. Out of mind.
An hour later, we are deep in some hauntingly depressing film. I didn’t even clock the title; I have been scrolling on my phone the entire time. But when the doorbell rings, I jump to my feet and fly to the door. It was only Jack on his late-night checks the first time and the soaked pizza delivery guy the second.
We share two pizzas and Penny’s homemade nachos. I peel the jalapeños and pineapples off, make a pile on the side of my plate, and stick to the DIY margherita.
Caden, up to his usual mischief, spills every embarrassing childhood secret I have.
So, I was rebellious. Who wasn’t?
Between my father’s strict curfews and my brother taking up the rest of my oxygen, if I didn’t fight back, I’d be chewed out. I have no regrets. Still, I’m not a fan of my new friends getting my whole life story. I’m trying to make a fresh start in Fort George. When Caden is three beers down and still sharing anecdotes, I kick him in the shins in an attempt to make him stop.
At least I get all the gossip from back home, too. Sort of. He changes the subject quickly when I ask about the family who moved into our old house.
Shortly after, Thea excuses herself to study for a test. Then Penny leaves. Her night is just getting started. Not even hellfire, let alone a rainstorm, can stop this girl from her parties. She leaves, still deciding which of the two parties she’d be going to. Though I know it will be both, and she won’t be back until morning.
While Caden settles in on the couch, I head to my bedroom and prepare for the night, nervous about how I’m going to survive with Caden on the other side of the door. I change into my metallic pink nightdress and swallow my meds. Early. Just to be sure I’m well and truly knocked out in one hour, then set an early alarm.
The loud snores from the lounge carry through the walls. I forgot about how loud Caden is. I hope for his sake that he stops snoring soon, or Thea will kick him out tomorrow. She doesn’t tolerate interruptions to her studies or anything that affects her grades. Caden’s next snore is louder than the storm outside.
Jesus—not even melatonin will take effect if I have to hear that all night.
I turn around to close the bedroom door. Only to stop dead.
My hands fly to my mouth, a cold sweat beading down my spine, as I squash the scream that tears from my throat.
Caden is passed out on the couch, open-mouthed.
Mason Grant towers over him. Wild, tousled brown hair, wet with rain, droplets trailing along his leather jacket, all the way down the barrel of the pistol in his hand, before dripping onto the carpet.
Slowly, his head turns toward me, eyes dark as the night.
“I warned you not to make me come for you.”
10
EVA
I stand there,motionless, panting into clasped hands, stomach in knots. My head spins a little as I take in the sight before me, eyes flicking from Caden, who may as well be unconscious, to Thea’s closed door, to the pistol in Mason’s hand.
Is it real?I have never seen one before.
Mason stares at me with eyes so sharp, I feel them slice mine. He doesn’t move, gun still poised two inches from Caden’s face.
Not aimed. Just a dangled threat. Why does that feel worse?
There is only one way I can think of to get him away from Caden. I shove my door wide open and stand aside.
“Can we talk?” I choke out, gesturing into my bedroom, my chest rising and falling, stuttering for every breath.
For a moment, he stares at me. Then he takes a deliberate step away from Caden, holding me still with his dark gaze. Heat pulses between us like a current. Every step further from Caden relief; every step toward me, panic.
With trembling fingers, I shut the door and whip around to face Mason. The very man I swore I would never be alone with.
And here I am. Alone with him. Again.
