Page 70 of Ominous: Part 1
I do my best not to run out of the house.
I do my best not to sling gravel as I pull out in my Sentra, the A/C struggling, slowing an already slow engine.
I ignore Dad’s wave from the porch. I pretend I don’t see it.
I’m holding the phone to my ear, waiting for Eli to pick up.
Pick up.
Fucking. Pick. Up.
I turn right, away from my house.
Eli answers. “You called me.” He sounds shocked. He soundshappy.
Pressure builds behind my eyes, but I say nothing about Dad. Or my feelings. Or any of it. I wouldn’t know the words, anyway. “Can I come over?”
There’s a pause, and I imagine him frowning, confused. “I’m downtown.” He says it slowly.
I don’t ask. He doesn’t offer an explanation. In my head, I see Luna Nelson on his lap. In my head, I rip her off of him and kick her in the skull.
“But I’ll meet you anywhere.” He sounds almost desperate, like he knows I’m about to hang up and wants to blurt his offer out quickly before I do.
I drive even faster, speeding through a yellow light. I think Eli would be proud, but I don’t tell him. “The library.” It’s between here and downtown. It won’t take him long, and he has to go that way to get home anyway.
“I’ll be there.” A pause. Then, “Are you okay?”
It’s easier to breathe already. I smile as the sun sinks below the horizon, casting the road in shades of purple and gold. “I have questions for you tonight.”
There’s a heavy sigh on the other end of the line. Then, amusement creeping into his tone. “Under one condition.” I don’t speak, waiting for him to tell me. “You’re coming to swim with me Friday.”
I frown, one hand on the wheel, other pressing the phone to my ear. “But you have practice—”
“Teacher workday, Rain. Don’t you look at the school calendar?” He uses a voice that isn’t his. A mock teacher voice. Nasally.
I can’t stop my laughter. I’ve never heard him mock anyone before, and it’s hysterically funny. I can hardly see the road, tears pricking in my eyes, and I never laugh like this.Jesus.“Shut up. Fine.”
“See you soon.” I hear the smile in his words.
“See you—”
“Eden?” The smile is gone.
“Yeah?” My heart skips a beat.
“If you ever tell me to shut up again, I’m going to…”
I’m back in his car. I’m telling him the worst thought about myself. I’m ripping myself open and offering him the dark. I’m giving him permission. “You’re going to what?” My breath is shallow, my words cracked. My face hot, even though I know he can’t see me.
“I’ll slap you.”
I squeeze my thighs together, my foot slipping off the gas pedal. I have to pull the phone from my ear and push it against my leg, letting myself breathe, my pulse so erratic, I know I need to reach for one of the little powder blue pills in my purse. I will before I walk in that library, I make a promise to myself.
I need to calm down.
Blazing hot, even with all the A/C vents on me, fresh antifreeze in the car thanks to Sebastian, I bring the phone to my ear again.
“Is that a promise?” My voice is hoarse. I fight back on the desire to clear my throat.All over me. His hands, all. Fucking. Over. Me.“You didn’t eat me alive, you know. When you had the chance, after the party.” My bravery astounds me, but I’m thankful for it.
