“It’s been twenty-four hours since she was last seen, and it’s not her norm. It’s time for people to start getting spooked.”
I meet Luke’s eyes. We both know why she never made it home.
“It’s okay,” Luke murmurs, his lips brushing my ear.
I nod, my heart hammering against my ribs. We’re trapped in this house with cops asking questions and a brother who knows more than he’s saying. And somewhere out there, a killer is still walking around. One that knows we were at the boathouse last night.
Luke’s hand tightens on mine. His anchor. His problem now.
Whatever happens, we’re in this together.
That helps my pounding heart start to slow.
“All right, I’ll make some calls and see what I can find out,” Bennett says, and we can tell the conversation might be wrapping up, so we head toward the stairs going up to Luke’s room.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Madeline.” Luke says this as the door closes behind him.
“You’re being really sweet to me about all of this.” Sweet isn’t the Luke I’ve heard about. It’s the exact opposite of the reputation that precedes him.
“Well, you’re my girlfriend; shouldn’t I be sweet to you?” He gives me a lazy smile, and I roll my eyes.
“Are you sweet to all of your girlfriends? Because I’ve seen how you speak to Lana.”
“Lana isn’t my girlfriend and never was.” The smile slips away.
“Fuck buddy or whatever.” I may be acting as though I’m saying it nonchalantly, but even I can hear the slight trace of jealousy in my words.
“What are you talking about? I’ve never touched Lana.” I stare at him, trying to see if he’s lying; he must know what I’m thinking. “Why would I lie about that?”
“I don’t know. The Ice Crew girls talk, and I overheard it.” And Lana made it abundantly clear that she slept with him. I might listen extra hard when I hear his name, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“Did it bother you when you heard that?”
“What!” I respond too quickly, giving myself away. “Why would I care?”
“Sounds like you care.”
I roll my eyes. “If that’s what you want to believe, then fine, but let’s get back to what’s important.”
“The bet?”
“That’s not what I’m talking about,” I say, pretending I don’t care about that because it doesn’t matter to me.
“But it’s important to you.” Luke is starting to read me far too well. I need to be more careful to mask my emotions when I’m around him.
“I mean, isn’t it annoying people are betting on fucking me?”
“I know I’m an asshole, but do you think I’m one to play along with the stupid-ass games Caleb comes up with?” Actually, I don’t. Luke is too cool for school, and I don’t mean that as an insult. He simply just is. He possesses a natural coolness that seems effortless. In fact, it probably annoys him because this quality attracts more attention from others. People naturally gravitate to him, which now that I think about it is probably why he’s a dick to people.
“Okay, I believe you.” His shoulders relax, and I realize that it bothered him that I believed those things.
“Good. Since we’re together, I can’t have you thinking I’m taking bets on fucking chicks. Like I said, I’m an asshole, but I’m not a cheater.”
“Have you ever had a girlfriend to cheat on?” I toss back. My curiosity gets the best of me.
“Nope.” He smirks. “You’re special, Buttercup.”
“Shut up.” I laugh, but I can’t deny the relief that his answer brings me.
