Page 18 of The Games We Play

Ryan nudges my shoulder and raises his eyebrows.

“What?” I ask, reigning in my spiraling thoughts.

“I said, the Haunted Nights are this weekend. Are you still wanting to go?”

Maybegetting out is what I need to get over my delusions. “Yeah, but you’re driving.”

The Haunted Nights is the state’s largest spooky-themed adrenaline rush. It’s a two-hour drive that Ryan and I have made every year since he got his license. There are the haunted woods, a barn, an asylum, and even the dreaded clown house. It's the one place Ryan drags me through—literally—every year.

“I guess Seth is gone, huh?”

“What?” I say a little too loudly. “What do you mean?”Shit!Does he somehow know?

“You haven’t noticed he hasn’t been in class?”

I shake my head, and my hair falls between us. “No, I know that. I’ve heard the rumors.”

“I just meant he can’t give you a hard time anymore. Seems like the universe took care of it for you.” He nudges my shoulder.

I snort, “Right, yeah.”If the universe is the embodiment of a man in a mask that breaks into my house constantly.

Seth won’t be bothering anyone ever again.

***

Saturday afternoon, Ryan pullsup to my house, blasting some song I don’t know. I turn it down as I get in, and he gives me a thousand-watt smile. “You’re in a good mood,” I say.

“Just excited to spend the evening with my best friend. I need to stop back by the house before we go. I forgot to move the clothes from the washer to the dryer, and Dad’s supposed to be home this evening.”

“Where did he go this time?”

“Honestly, I don’t remember. Some days, I wonder why he even bothers coming home instead of going to the next bank.”

“He probably misses you.” I shrug and prop one foot on the dashboard. I stare out my window as we pull into his driveway, and the front door is cracked.

“Dammit,” Ryan mutters. “He’s early.”

His dad steps out, fixing the sleeves of his suit jacket, and I’m thankful this conversation is forgotten. He waves, and Ryan hops out of the car. The two say something I can’t hear, and Ryan disappears inside. Mr. Collins glances at me and smiles. His eyes look tired, like this traveling job is wearing him down.

“Long trip?” I ask, and he walks down the sidewalk until he’s leaning on the car.

“Long couple of years,” he sighs. “I’m beginning to wonder if the constant travel is worth it.”

I nod, not knowing how else to respond to that.

“Ryan tells me you are going to the Haunted Nights. You two, be careful and stay together. People are crazy.”

Mr. Collins has always looked after me, even more when my dad left. It’s sweet. Honestly, with Ryan and his dad, I never really felt alone.

“We will,” I assure him.

Ryan half jogs back to the car. “All set. How long are you home this time?” he asks his dad.

“I’m hoping for a week or two. I might turn my damn phone off and take a much-needed vacation.”

Ryan’s eyes light up at the sound of that. He may complain about his dad being overbearing, but I know he misses spending time with him.

Mr. Collins continues. “Maybe we could go to the lake for some much-needed R&R?” He glances at both Ryan and me.

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