Page 88 of Sharing Shadow Secrets
Again?Now I’m short circuiting.
My mind flashes to books I’ve read, and all the crazy scenarios I’ve had to Google or pause reading to visualize.DVP.I’m too scared. Not tonight. But maybe …
“What are you cooking up?” Brandon asks with a laugh. “Your face looks devious.”
“It seems like the obvious thing for us to do is DVP.”
“You’re down for that?” Brandon asks, sounding surprised, not moving the SUV. He hasn’t opened the gate yet. Maybe we’re waiting for Kyle?
“I don’t know …”
He grabs for my hand, looking thoughtful as he stares at my fingers. “At any point if you want to stop or want it to end, let us know,” Brandon says, his tone serious as he looks up at me. “I don’t want you doing anything you don’t want to. Don’t think about what makes me happy or what you think makes anyone else other than yourself happy.”
“I understand my role as pillow princess …” I joke. “And yes. I will say stop if I want things to stop.”
Brandon’s eyes rake down me, and he tugs at the zipper of my dress, lowering it the slightest amount. With a smirk, he turns his gaze away from me, the window’s glass lowers, and he enters the code. As the gate opens, I grab for his hand, excited about what’s ahead.
I unlock my phone and quickly text the roomies group chat. I want to know if they’re back or not.
Taylor
What are you guys up to? We are pulling up to Brandon’s now.
Morgan
We are at some bar blasting music from before we were born with the cowboys. The local entertainment is on point. Will probably shut this place down tonight.
“My friends are still partying,” I share. “What do you think your friends are doing?”
“Banging.”
I swat his arm, laughing as I do.
“If not that, then sleeping. They’re not night owls.”
Looking down at my phone, it’s 11:42 p.m. “I need to Google if tonight is a full moon.” Typing quickly, I laugh seeing theresult. “Waxing moon. Too bad it’s not a full moon, that would have been perfect for this Halloween moment.”
“The waxing moon is known to stir the inner beast,” Brandon says, poking my side. I give him a skeptical look. “It said that in this werewolf series I read.” I raise my brow, now even more curious. “Not werewolf porn.” Brandon chuckles. “It was set in Europe and had societal undertones about the werewolves trying to fit in while staying true to themselves.”
“I like that you read.”
“I like that you read, too.”
Brandon presses the button, opening the garage. Headlights reflecting from behind us catch my attention. Kyle’s here, and my heart starts to race.
This is happening.
“Let me show him where to park,” Brandon says, exiting the car. I stay in, taking a moment to myself to mitigate this anxious excited energy.
63
Stepping out of my car, Brandon gives me a fist bump. He can be such a bro. He’s usually so preppy or looking like every other guy. This edgy look … I like it for him. My gaze drifts to the mansion as we walk toward the open garage. It looks exactly the same as the last time I was here. Huge. White. Screaming opulence. Taylor is standing behind the SUV, her arms crossed. Her brown hair is a little frizzy, and I smile, seeing her natural hair.
“You changed!” she yells with a chatter in her voice.
“It’s too cold to drive shirtless.” I shrug, looking down at my T-shirt and jeans. Brandon at least has a leather jacket on. When we get to her, I bear hug her, squeezing her tight. “Looks like our first job is to warm you up.”
She giggles into my chest, and Brandon squeezes my shoulder, then steps farther into the garage. I grab for her hand, and we follow behind him.
