Page 7 of Forever Cursed

“I gotcha. In the car you go.” Ash ushers her into the passenger seat. “See you, buddy!” Ash and Rome pat each other’s backs as they hug one another.

“I’m going to miss you!” Zack says while wrapping his arms around Rome’s waist.

“I’m gonna miss you too!” Rome nuzzles his head on top of Zack’s and starts to fake cry.

“We have the pool party next week. Chill it with the bromance!” Gwen sighs from the car.

“Wait, I’m going to miss you too!” Ash runs into Zack and Rome and hugs them.

Gwen covers her forehead with the palm of her hand and shakes her head. It’s a solid couple of minutes before the boyspull apart. Zack hops in the backseat, and Ash gets comfortable for the drive back home.

My eyes wander over Rome, and a spark of mad genius hits.

“Do you want company?” I ask while shoving my hands in my new jacket pockets.

Rome’s brows raise, and he flicks his eyes over to Zack.

“Zack!” He jumps at the sound of my raised voice. “I’m going to accompany Rome on the drive back. See you at Ash’s?”

“Whatever, woman. Just stop screaming at me.” Zack groans and waves me off.

With a wide smile, I glance back at Rome. “Only if you want the company, that is.”Please want the company. Please want the company.

With a soft smirk, Rome nods toward the passenger seat. “Get in.”

Chapter Four

Chrissy

The windows are rolled down as we drive down the road, leaving the shore. I soak in the sea air, letting the breeze take my hair and toss it however it wishes. I would live on the beach if I could. When I was younger, I used to pretend I was a mermaid. Gwen and I would spend hours in the pool at home, splashing around and trying to do the iconic hair flip.

The road is dark; there are no streetlights on this long road. The faint lights from the car’s dashboard and headlights create an eerie atmosphere, but with Rome, I feel safe, especially in his hoodie. I’m trying to memorize his scent, soaking it in.

My phone buzzes violently in my back pocket. I try to ignore it, but the relentless vibration shakes my bones. Shifting in my seat, I pull out my phone and see two messages from Gwen.

How’s it going? ;)

Chrissy! Answer me, woman!

Are you alive? Say “pineapple” if you need help!

It’s quiet.

There you are!

It’s quiet? With you in the car? I have a hard time believing that.

Shut up, lol.

“Are you feeling okay?” Rome asks.

Peering up from my phone, I notice his eyes are still on the road. One hand is on the steering wheel, and the other rests on his lap.

Gotta go.

Wait, wha?—

I put my phone in my shorts pocket before I can finish reading the text. Looking over at Rome, I work on summoning all my courage.

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