Page 38 of Jacob

The red glow of her brakes shines bright, her car digging into the gravel as she comes to a complete halt.

Poking her head out of the window, she looks back at me, and with a beaming smile, she shouts, “Hey, do you know this one?”

My chest fills with laughter when the car speakers boom out “Butterfly” by Crazy Town. It’s so fucking loud, it’s just as well I live in the countryside with no one for miles around. She accelerates again, laughing and waving her hand out of the window.

Moving onto the narrow road, she disappears round the corner, off into the pitch dark, and I can still hear her for at least twenty seconds as she drives around the curves of the country roads and down into Castleview Cove.

Stuffing my hands in my jean pockets, I tilt my head back, eyeing the stars for reassurance, praying that it’s all going to be okay because I might not survive otherwise.

Making my way back into my house, I pull my phone out of my back pocket.

Owen hasn’t replied to me yet.

I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and head to my room to unpack, grateful Owen tidied up and stripped the guest bed before he left.

On silent, my phone vibrates on my nightstand.

Eager to see if Skye got home safely, I lower myself to sit on the edge of the bed. Grabbing my phone off the side, I smile to myself as I open her text.

Skye

I am home. Not a car crash or mass murderer to be seen. Although my bedroom looks like a car crash. Kimmy has clearly been raiding my wardrobe and my underwear drawers are all in a muddle.

Me

Did she have a party this weekend?

Skye

Not that I know of. I’ll be having words with her tomorrow.

I take a sip of water from my bottle.

Skye

Thank you for an unforgettable week.

She sends me a blue heart emoji, clouds, and a blue butterfly.

I quickly type out a reply.

Me

I’m sorry it wasn’t the best start.

Skye

But it ended on a high. Thank you for organizing everything, and Hamilton is now my favorite show. I’ll remember it forever. Thank you for buying me my program.

Me

To add to your collection.

Skye

How do you know so much about me?

Me

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