Page 48 of Haunted Spurs

She was sitting there in silence, so I went to get her a drink. When I handed it to her, she looked at me like I’d said something completely unhinged.

"Why?" she asked me.

I shrugged, smiling. "You were drinking it at the saloon that night... I figured it was your favorite."

She opened her mouth. Then closed it. Opened it again. “I’m surprised you…” she started, then stopped. Shook her head. Took a long sip instead.

And since then, she hasn’t looked at me once.

And me—someone who’s usually good with people—I’m starting to lose my mind trying to figure her out.

A sharp clap of thunder rattles the living room windows, snapping me back to reality.

Cole and Carolina both flinch. Their kiss—very much not PG at this point—breaks instantly. They pull apart, stare at each other for a beat like they’ve both forgotten where they are, then burst out laughing along with the rest of us.

Cole steps back, licks his lips like he’s enjoying the memory, and winks at her.

While everyone’s still laughing off the scare, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye.

Selene gets to her feet.

She sets her half-empty bottle of Smithwick’s down on the wooden coffee table with careful precision, like she’s afraid even the smallest sound might give her away. She pulls her dark cardigan tighter around her chest and, without a word—without even looking back—turns and slips out of the living room, disappearing into the hallway.

I slowly lower the camcorder. The smile fades off my face.

Something weird settles in my chest. A dull, sharp ache I can’t quite place. I press a hand there, half-expecting it to feel like something real, but it’s just my T-shirt.

It hurts. More than it should.

And I miss her.

It’s ridiculous, completely irrational—but I miss her the second her silhouette crosses the doorway and disappears.

I frown, staring at the empty hallway while Levi and Josh’s laughter hums in the background like static.

What the hell is happening to me?

I'm not this kind of guy. I'm not the clingy type. I grew up in a place where people came and went constantly, where bonds were fragile and temporary. I learned as a kid that if someone wants to leave, the best thing you can do is hold the door open for them and wish them well with a smile. I've never held anyone back. I've never chased after someone who chose to walk away. I've always just let things run their course.

And yet, right now, staring at the spot where she vanished, a violent instinct explodes inside me. The instinct to drop everything, run after her, and ask her to stay. Even just for one more minute.

I take a slow breath, tightening my grip on the camcorder.

Fuck, Selene. What are you doing to me?

15

Stop My Racing Heart

Selene

The darkness of the room closes in around me. The only light is the silver glow of the moon spilling through the bay window.

I move to the window seat, fingers brushing the velvet pillows. I need the silence. I need a second to pull myself together and get my breathing under control.

“Hey… it was almost our turn.”

I jump.