Page 32 of Ruined
“Sorry I’m late, guys.” Lizzy’s cheery voice filtered through the air as she emerged from the house. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Chase straightening in his seat. Curious, I leaned closer to Kenzie, “Are they dating?”
“Who?”
“Lizzy and Chase.”
Kenzie laughed softly. “No, and I honestly don’t know why. I’m pretty sure that even a blind man would see the chemistry between them.”
She wasn’t wrong; there was nothing subtle about the way they were glancing at each other. Lizzy snatched Harper’s beer and leaned back against the deck railing. When Harper glared at her, she simply lifted her shoulder and said, “What? You can share his—” jerking her head in Logan’s direction, she continued, “You guys share everything, anyway.”
And just like that, conversation started up again. Chase asked me more questions about the gallery, the more I talked the more relaxed I became. As the hours ticked by and the sun disappeared, the men decided it was time to grill the meat.
By then I was so comfortable with these people, it felt like I’d known them for years. It was the first time in months that I felt normal, hope blossomed in my chest. Kenzie, Harper, Lizzy, and I were in the middle of discussing the beautiful lace bodice on Harper’s dress when my phone vibrated.
I was still smiling as I reached into the little hidden pocket of my dress to retrieve the device. As soon as my thumb swiped over the screen to unlock it, the world started to spin.
Unknown Number:Why aren’t you home? You’re not hiding from me, are you? You know I’ll find you.
Air. I needed air…if only my damn lungs would work. Everyone’s words melted together to become incoherent babbling that sounded distant. Someone said my name; I had no idea who. My eyes roamed over the blurred figures in front of me as I desperately tried and failed to get air into my lungs.
“I have to go.” The words were mine, but my voice sounded…strange. I felt myself turn around and place one foot in front of the other. With every step I took, I picked up my pace until I was running through the house and out the front door.
