Page 91 of Sweet Ruin

My bedroom was gorgeous. It had a huge fluffy white bed, and a door in the corner led to an en suite bathroom. I looked through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, and the view was even better now we were higher.

Wes left me to get settled while he went to help with the rest of our group’s luggage. I spent a few minutes unpacking before there was a knock at the door. I turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, a smile on his lips as he watched me. “Do you like the room?” he asked.

“I love it,” I said. “And the view…” There were no words.

“I thought you’d like that,” he said. “And you’re right next door to me.”

His cheeks flushed slightly as he glanced away. The thought of Wes sleeping in the next room had me a little flustered as well. We’d joked a few times about getting caught in each other’s rooms after curfew, but there were no teachers clamping down on the rules here.

“So, you’re saying you’ll easily be able to hear me snore then?” I asked.

He laughed, and the awkward tension that had briefly appeared between us dissolved. “I’m sure you don’t snore,” he said, stepping into the room. “And even if you did, I’m sure it would be adorable.”

“You don’t know that. I could sound like a freight train.”

“I have always liked trains.”

I laughed as he gathered me in his arms and looked into my eyes. “I can’t wait to spend these next few days together,” he said. “It’s going to be great finally having time for just the two of us.”

“We’ll have to ditch the others,” I reminded him.

“I’m sure we’ll find a way…” He lowered his head and closed in on my lips, but a shout from downstairs caused us to pause.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Anna’s voice echoed from the living area.

Wes let out a sigh and pulled away from me. “I wonder what that’s about?”

“She’s probably just discovered she forgot her favorite hair straightener,” I suggested.

Wes didn’t seem so sure though. “I better go check she hasn’t broken my mom’s precious china or something. Sawyer can’t be trusted to keep an eye on things.”

When we got downstairs, Cress and Sawyer had also just arrived in the living area. Anna was peering out the window by the front door, looking at the driveway.

“Anna, what’s wrong?” Cress asked as she went to join her.

“You’ll never believe who just arrived at the house next door.” Anna pulled away from the window and turned to us. The surprise on her face became an uncomfortable grimace when her eyes fell on me and Wes.

Cress leaned past Anna, peered out the window, and squealed. “Oh my gosh!” She was far more excited than Anna, and she immediately opened the front door and rushed outside.

Wes and Sawyer hurried to the front door while I followed just behind, dragging my feet. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see who was out there.

“Hey there, neighbors.”

My worst fear was realized as I stepped outside to be greeted by Luther’s gleeful voice. Anna groaned, and my stomach flipped as I looked across the driveway to see Kaden and Luther standing in front of large black truck parked outside the house next door. Luther was waving at us, and Kaden was grinning as Cress ran toward him. When she reached him, she threw her arms around him, and he lifted her off the ground.

“We’re neighbors?” Kaden asked her through shocked laughter.

“What are you even doing here?” she asked at the same time. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming.”

“We decided to come just yesterday,” Kaden said. He looked a little nervous as though he hadn’t been sure what Cress’s reaction would be. “Luther organized it,” he continued. “I thought it might be fun to surprise you. But I didn’t know we’d be right next door. I hope this is okay?”

“Of course, it is,” Cress replied. She couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.

I wasn’t sure anyone else felt that way. Anna was standing with arms folded, glaring at Luther. Sawyer had a confused expression on his face, and I couldn’t bring myself to look at Wes. I knew what he’d be thinking because I was thinking it too. If Luther and Kaden were here, then surely Noah was too.

As if he’d been summoned by the thought alone, Noah appeared from behind the truck. His eyes widened when he saw us, betraying his surprise, and he leaned in to whisper something to Luther, but his friend just smirked at him. Noah looked just as shocked to see us as we were to see him, but when his eyes met mine, I was convinced I saw the hint of a smile touching the corner of his lips.

Wes’s arm fell across my shoulders as Luther approached us. Noah, Kaden, and Cress hovered slightly behind him.

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