Page 28 of Dark Things
“Yeah, well I was just dropped here, and I don’t know anyone,” he says, looking up at me. My breath hitches, and I collapse into the seat next to him.
“We’re all misfits and throwaways here. You can be a part of our friend group. Colt and Staff will love you.”
“And what about you?” he asks, his eyesnever leaving mine. They’re filled with so much pain, I grab his hand and hold it close.
“Don’t worry, we’re going to be best friends.”
My head is full of bloodcurdling screams of pain. I can’t fucking breath. I feel the first twinges of tears, and my nose burns, but I suck it back. I won’t cry for them anymore.
“Are you okay? That looked super intense. I didn’t know you knew Brooks.”
I clear my throat before answering her. “I don’t. He’s on Haunt’s team, and he just approached me. It’s the first time I even spoke to him.” The lie pours from my mouth naturally. I’m used to hiding everything about me, especially my past.
She’s walking next to me now, but I don’t chance a glance. I need a few minutes to get my shit together.
“That’s not what I saw. I’d have thought you guys had known each other forever or even been sleeping together. The chemistry was insane. Like the rest of the world didn’t exist.”
For a fleeting moment, I live in the joy that Brooks and I are still us, that we haven’t changed, but then I remember it all and how I’ll never feel that with him again.
“Don’t know what to tell you. Mary pissed me the fuck off so maybe you mistook my anger for that.”
I quicken my pace, not wanting to dwell on what may have happened between Brooks and I. If I continue this line of questioning I’m going to crack,and that’s something I haven’t done in a long time. I’m usually a vault, the impenetrable Pitch. The chick who kills and lets no one get the better of me, but seeing the guys has me showing too many cracks.
“Yeah, that’s probably it. Still want to go to the party?” she asks, opening the door to my SUV. I didn’t want her picking me up from the house; there’s too many places innocent people can get in trouble, and I don’t want Aslyn anywhere near the darkness that shrouds my life.
“Sure, just punch the address in the GPS. I’ll text Haunt and see if he wants to meet us.”
I start the car and pull out, glancing in the direction of Manny’s front door. Brooks is standing outside, his gaze laser focused on my SUV, but I don’t slow down or spare him another glance.
My phone rings, and Haunt’s name flashes on the dash. Perfect. I’m going to need a driver because I don’t plan on being sober for much longer.
I connect the call, but before he can say anything I speak. “Hey, Haunt. You’re on speaker in the car. Aslyn is sitting next to me.”
His deep voice sends a thrill through me. “How was dinner?”
I take a deep breath before I answer, because as much as I want to tell Haunt everything I can’t. We have too much going on for us to get distracted by my revenge.
“It was something. That chick Mary showed up andflipped out in front of the whole diner. I had to get my point across again. She’s going to be a problem.”
“Hmm…yeah let’s talk about it more later. Where are you heading now?”
Knowing Haunt, he’s going to want to take care of this Mary issue sooner rather than later. She’s a problem we don’t need. There’s too many things we have to be careful with.
“Aslyn wants to check out a party. It’s not too far from campus. Want to meet us? I can send you a pin when we get there.”
“Sounds good. I’ll Uber there so you don’t have to drive home later.”
My body relaxes a bit. Haunt always knows what to say and when I need him the most. I don’t know what I’d do without him.
I chuckle and look over at Aslyn, who has a smile on her face. “You know me so well. Ask Cat if she wants to come; I’m sure she needs a night out.”
His voice goes up an octave, surprise coming through the line. “That’s a good idea. I’ll see what she’s up to. Drive safe; see you in a bit.”
The phone disconnects, and I turn to Aslyn. “Haunt’s going to play the designated driver. Are you okay with that, or I can send you home in an Uber later if you’d rather not drive with us.”
She runs her fingers through her hair, flipping down the passenger visor and opening up the mirror.
“I want to officially meet him. I heard he’s Cat’stwin, and since I’ve been riding with her for three years. I trust he’s not an asshole when he drives,” she says, closing the visor and turning in her seat.
