Page 39 of Shadows of Nightshade
The only thing I knew for certain was that it was my duty to make this the best slumber party/ghost hunting experience everyone had ever had. They were going out of their way to help me, and I had to let them know I appreciated their efforts.
I prepped the coffee maker for a fresh pot, my excitementslowly beginning to outweigh my nervousness. It had been a long time since Finn and I had our last sleepover…
Once again, my memories drifted to my ex-best friend. It was inevitable, considering I had known him for over half my life.
It had been a surreal day. I made new friends, I’d gone to a fancy lunch… and then there was everything with Titus. There was so much going on that I’d been too emotionally exhausted to contemplate what I’d learned about Finn.
My phones were laid out on the table, side by side. I put them there when I got back and hadn’t touched them since. They were a constant reminder of a problem I needed to address, and now there was nothing left to distract me.
It was hard not to compare the two devices, not only because of their different appearances but also because of what they symbolized.
Titus had taken the time to pick something he thought I’d like, compared to the plain, generic phone that my parents approved. It was a happy chance that Titus understood me already. Plus, the knowledge that he enjoyed cute things only made him less scary.
My gaze drifted toward the phone Finn had given me. It was still turned off, and I’d tried not to touch it more than I had to, but I couldn’t avoid it forever.
I gave in, sighing as I pulled it to me. My mother would have messaged me by now, and if I didn’t respond, she’d worry. Other than that, I would either have a lot of messages from Finn, or absolutely nothing.
I didn’t know which would be worse.
The phone barely had a chance to start before it vibrated in my hands. Two new messages.
Mother’s message was brief, as usual. She asked how classes were going. I replied that I was studying for the evening. And that would be the end of our conversation until tomorrow.
We could never find many things to talk about.
The other message was from Finn. It’d been sent to me only about fifteen minutes before.
Finn
I’m coming over.
My stomach sank. Why was he coming now? I didn’t want to see him.
The doorbell rang before I could finish composing my response.
The weight pressing against my limbs grew heavier. It was him. It was still too early for anyone else, and there was no other way to explain the coincidence.
I stared at my phone, and outside of my panic, a sense of righteous fury began to swell inside me. It was an unfamiliar feeling, but I latched on to it like a lifeline. Anything was better than fear.
How darehe boss me around.
I’d answer the door and talk to him, and I’d be calm and mature about it, too. Someone had to be the adult between the two of us.
My thoughts swirled in a furious haze as I stomped through the house and swung the front door open. I was not surprised to see Finn, looking completely unashamed, yet, somehow, perfect as ever. He was furious, but I met his gaze without flinching.
If my reaction surprised him, he didn’t let it show.
He opened his mouth to speak—
“How dare you show yourself here!” I pointed a shaking finger at him. I could barely see through the red haze clouding my vision. “You… you butthead! I’m very angry with you.”
Finn’s gray eyes flashed. He was dangerously close to losing control of his infamous temper. I couldn’t remember why I cared.All my succinct, planned arguments were lost at the sight of his arrogant face. He had no right to be upset. He was the one who’d lied to me. He was the one who was wrong.
“Did you just call me a butthead?” His voice strained as his shoulders shook. “After everything I’ve done for you?” He stepped into the house, bringing himself only a few inches in front of me.
I glared at his larger, taller frame. I wouldn’t be intimidated.
“Everything you’ve done?” I threw the words back at him. I could feel his burning heat. But instead of making me feel secure like it might have before, I became more furious.
