Page 47 of The Summer Dare
Again, Sent. Delivered. Read.
Me: Seriously, Melanie. Where are you? I’m going out of my mind worrying about you. Should I call your parents? The police? Please. I won’t bother you. But I need to know you’re safe.
My heart nearly beats out of my chest as I await a response—any response would be better than the agony of not knowing.
Lanie: I’m fine. I’m safe. No need to call anyone. Just getting air.
Just getting air?
Just getting air.
I can’t fucking breathe and she’s just getting air!
What the fuck does that even mean?
When midnight rolls around and I still haven’t heard from her, I leave my apartment door unlocked, hoping by some miracle she comes back.
When I can’t pace any longer, I trudge into my room, undress by my bed, slip into the sheets, and turn off the light.
Fuck, even the bedsheets smell like her.
I toss and turn for what feels like hours before I finally fall into a restless sleep.
When I wake up the next morning, I feel like I have a hangover—without any of the fun. I only had one beer last night, but I wish I’d drowned my sorrows, so I just wouldn’t feel. Because what I feel right now—is like complete shit.
When she hasn’t returned by ten o’clock the next morning, I return to Seaside. I should’ve gone back last night I’m almost certain that’s where she is now. But at the time I’d been holding out hope that she’d return.
As I drive a hundred miles back to the beach, one thought runs through my mind.
I’ve given you your space, Melanie Lancaster—ready or not here I come.
The momentI get into town, I drive straight to Lanie’s. It’s a little after noon when I arrive. Stomping up the steps, I pound on the front door.
When no one answers, I rap three more times.
“I’m coming… I’m coming…” can be heard from the other side in a groggy voice.
Unfortunately, it’s Lizzy who answers the door. “What’s goin’ on, Ryan?” she mutters groggily. Obviously, I’ve woken her up. But at this point, my give-a-fuck is broken and I need to see Lanie.
“Is Lanie here?” I demand.
“I… I’m not sure,” Lizzy says, scratching her head on a yawn.
From behind her, I hear Raven. “She’s not in her room, but she came home late last night.”
“Do you know where she is?” I pin her eyes, hoping she’ll grant me mercy.
“I’m pretty sure she went for a walk,” Sloane says, joining her sisters at the door.
Sloane and Raven cross their arms over their chests and I can tell if I act like a complete asshat, we’re going to be at a stalemate.
“Look, I have no idea what the fuck is even going on. One minute we were at my friend’s wedding, the next minute she disappears and ghosts me. I asked her if she was okay—she said she was ‘fine’ when clearly, she’s not. Then when I threatened to call her family or go to the police, she told me she was okay and going for some air.”
When each of them remains in stony silence, I go for broke.
“She claims she was going forair. Air—can you fucking believe that? I haven’t been able to fucking breathe since she left. She took my fucking heart with her and I need to find her and make this right.”
“What did you do to make her need it?”
