Page 46 of The Summer Dare
Walking doesn’t help.
My mind comes up with a million reasons why Ryan brought me as his date.
It’s obvious that he still cares about her. What was his point in bringing me?
Did he make me fall for him, just to make it believable?
By the time I get to my car, all I want to do is go to the one place where I feel safe. The place I feel loved. The place I call home.
Damien had wantedhelp bringing out more beer to the cooler. But when I return, Lanie’s nowhere to be found. I look through the house once more before going to the table of girls I’d left her with earlier.
“Do you know where Lanie is?” I ask, scanning the crowd.
“Last I saw, she got up to use the bathroom a few minutes ago.”
Sydney stands. “Want me to help look for her?”
“No. I was just inside, maybe we crossed paths without knowing.”
Walking to the main bathroom, I’m frustrated to find it empty. When Vince walks in, I ask, “Hey, is there another bathroom? The girls said Lanie went inside to use it, but she’s just not anywhere I can find her.”
“Look, I’m sure she’s around. I’ll go check the masterbathroom, you make one more sweep through the house and yard. We’ll meet back outside in a few minutes.”
When Vince returns empty-handed, I do what I should’ve done to begin with.
I pull out my phone and text.
Me: Where are you?
I see the message go from sent, to delivered, to read.
I watch eagerly as the three little dots bounce around, then my heart sinks when they disappear.
Me: Look. I’m worried. Can you at least tell me if you’re okay?
Again, the message is sent, delivered, and read.
When only two words are returned, my stomach drops to the floor.
Lanie: I’m fine.
Two words, no man ever wants to hear—especially from a woman.
Not wanting to ruin the party for my friends, I pay my respect to the bride and groom, then tell Vince I’m heading out.
He can tell something’s off, but I assure him I’ve got it handled.
Knowing there are a million places on campus she could be, I go home, hoping like hell, she’ll meet me there.
As I drive into my complex, my chest squeezes tighter when I see there’s another car parked in the spot that held Lanie’s car when she left.
Climbing the stairs, I’m at a loss for what to do.
Do I stay here in case she returns? Do I go out to look for her? Or do I drive back to Seaside?
If I try sending another text, will she respond?
Me: Where are you?
