They reached the end of the maze, which was right next to the entrance. There were more people now and more employees in costumes. Several guys dressed like vampires walked around handing out wax teeth candy. A teenager with strong body odor bumped into Will’s shoulder and cussed at him.
“Definitely time to go,” Elsie said. “The crowd changes around this time of night.”
“Are you guys hungry?” Charlie asked.
Jane smiled. “Starving.”
Charlie glanced around for his Jeep. “Someone at work was talking about this great Mexican place today. It’s called Domingo’s.”
Will felt Elsie tense next to him. She was still gripping his arm, thanks to the crowds milling around them. “Not Domingo’s.”
“Why not?” Jane asked. “I like that place, and I haven’t been there in ages.”
Elsie turned to look at her. “I ate lunch there today.”
Jane’s face registered something only the two of them understood. “Oh. We’ll think of somewhere else then.”
Will wanted to ask her about it, but his attention was arrested by a familiar head of hair, skulking off to a dark corner with a girl. The girl’s hands went up around his neck and they started making out. It was definitely Jeff, but he wasn’t sure about the girl. She kind of looked like that annoying little sister of Elsie and Jane. He glanced back at Elsie, and she’d noticed his distraction. She was peering in the direction he’d been studying.
He positioned his body to block her view. “So, not Mexican food and not pizza. What sounds good?”
“Burgers?”
His brain was going a mile a minute, the indecision of what to do killing him. “How old is your youngest sister?”
“Lydia? She’s eighteen. Why?”
“Oh, just trying to learn more about you.” Eighteen. Not underage, but definitely not old enough to be skulking around with the likes of Jeff Wickham.
He stopped walking and pulled away from Elsie. “I think I dropped something. I’ll meet you all at the car.”
They looked puzzled, but nodded and went on ahead. He dashed back to the spot where he’d seen the sister, but she and Jeff were no longer there. Too many people milled around, talking, laughing, shoving each other, screaming. He’d about given up when he spotted her. It was the armful of bracelets that alerted him. Jeff wasn’t with her. Even better.
“Where’s Jeff?” he asked as he walked up.
“Why would you want to know?” She eyed him suspiciously.
“He’s too old for you. You need to be careful. He’s a bad influence.”
She stiffened, looking offended. “I’m eighteen, thank you very much. I don’t need dating advice from you.” Her face softened as she spotted someone over his shoulder, and Will turned to see Jeff walking up. Jeff’s expression turned wary when he recognized Will. And he had reason to be wary.
Will stuck a finger in Jeff’s chest. “Messing around with someone fresh out of high school. Real classy, Jeff.”
Jeff glanced at Lydia, who was watching them, and his expression softened into the charming façade he often used to manipulate people. “Our relationship is none of your business, Will. And I’d appreciate it if you’d stop trying to ruin my life. Just when I’m getting my life back together, you show up and try to bring me down again. How dare you insult Lydia by insinuating something sinister is going on here? We’re just on a date.”
Once again, Jeff, with his silver tongue, had twisted the situation to make himself look good. Some things never changed. Will was not always good with words and they failed him now. It wasn’t really his business, except knowing she was better off without him. He gave up on talking to Jeff and instead turned to Lydia.
“You’re welcome to come with me and go home with your sisters. I won’t say anything to them. They’re waiting in the car. I told them I dropped something.”
She glared at him and went to stand by Jeff. “I’m staying.”
Chapter 13 ♥Secrets to Keep
“Did he say what he dropped?” Jane asked. “We could have gone with him to look.”
“Let’s all go.” Charlie reached for his door handle just as Will jogged up and got in the backseat.
“Sorry guys. Did you decide where we’re eating?”
