Page 100 of When Darkness Calls

“What way? Not wanting you to man handle me?” I raise my brow at him.

His smile falters, annoyance shining in his eyes.

“That’s not what I meant. I originally wanted to talk to you about class. Seeing as I’m taking time from my day to come find you, try to talk with you, I hoped you would be a bit more appreciative, grateful even. Since, as you so nicely mentioned, I do work closely with Logan.” His eyes narrow.

My heart leaps, and I breathe deep, trying to keep my voice even. “What are you saying, Ethan?”

He chuckles, and it's…unnerving. “I’m saying, Dani, that if you want to ensure you have good standing with him, you might want to change the way you speak to me.”

Ethan’s entire persona has changed. His features have twisted into something devious. Before it shifts, back into the same mask he wears every day. His smile returning, bright, lighthearted, like this is the most normal thing in the world. “We are friends after all. And friends, well, they can help each other in a lot of different ways.”

“And if I don’t?” I swallow thickly, clenching my jaw.

He steps forward, his grip on my arm tightening almost painfully. “I would hate to see something terrible happen to you, Miss Beckett.”

“Terrible?” The question falls from my lips in a harsh whisper.

“Hey, D!” A shout breaks my attention. Ethan looks over my shoulder, his smile returning like instinct.

“Issac! Hey, man, what’s up? You ready for Thursday?”

“Oh, hell yeah. I heard the Grims’ new D-man is a fucking beast.”

“Thanks again for the extra ticket.” Ethan rubs the back of his neck.

“No problem. So, what’re you two talking about?”

I look at Issac, eyes wide. I don’t know what to say. “I—”

Ethan’s glare my way is nothing but an unspoken threat.

“Nothing, it’s nothing. Just some stuff about Photo Foundations,” I mutter. A chill settles on my spine. The feeling of sinister eyes bore into my soul.

“Yeah. I was telling Dani about an—” he smirks, eyes trailing down my body, “exclusive offer to work one on one with me. I think there are a few things I could teach her.”

My stomach flips, eyes narrow. I speak calmly, “No thank you. I think I’ll be okay on my own.”

A muscle in his jaw clenches, but he smiles the same placating smile that throws everyone off his track. Charming, helpful Ethan Cochrane.

Gag.

“That’s fine. I think you’ll change your mind soon enough. I’d hate to be the one that has to pick up the pieces, but I’ll be here.”

Issac glances between the two of us, his brow raised in question. I shake my head.

“I’ll talk to you later Issac, I’m going to class.” I ignore Ethan as I walk past him, bumping his shoulder as I go.

The diner is the same as it always is. Smelling of fryer grease, damn good apple pie, and the best burgers on this side of the Mississippi.

Liz is bustling around the booths full of patrons varying from a couple in their mid-sixties to the group of rowdy high schoolers sitting by the jukebox. Her hair is wild, busting from the bun atop her head, and her apron is slightly skewed, but she wears a joyous grin and bright eyes each time she glances over at me.

Liz has been working here since we were juniors, and I really don’t think she’ll take leaving after college very well. Her regulars have become her friends. She tells me all the new gossip that Mr. Henderson gives her every Sunday when he comes in for his cup of coffee and slice of pie. And she practically moved in when Ruthie’s husband died, staying with her a few nights a week just so she wouldn’t be home alone. They’re like her second family here.

I love coming in on the days she works just to watch her. She’s happy, loving life, and you can tell she cares about everyone that she speaks to. I like seeing her like this. My best friend is as happy as she can possibly be.

“So, everyone has been catered to for now, so unless Earl decides he wants a milkshake to go, we have about fifteen minutes to talk uninterrupted.” Her teeth flash in a bright smile as she wipes the stray hair away from her face.

“Today going well?” I slurp my vanilla milkshake.