Page 46 of Where Love Lies

“Nobody has a motorcycle I know of,” Owen says, a confused look on his face. Flynn opens the door and walks out. Owen and Tenly follow, and I lag behind. A matte black Harley follows a moving truck, the rider’s, whose long black hair flows freely behind him, is wearing jeans and a black tank that shows off his dark tan skin and his tattooed-covered arms.

“Looks like someone’s moving into the murder house,” Owen mumbles.

“You think he knows about the killings?” I ask.

“He has to, they have to tell him before he buys it,” Tenly adds.

“Maybe he’s into that sorta thing.” Owen lifts his chin, crossing his arms. Two things pop into my head, devil-worshipper or one of those people who investigate haunted houses.

Two movers get out of the truck as the guy on the Harley pulls in behind it, shuts the bike off and dismounts, before walking over to talk to them. Tenly looks down the street where he came from, and I raise a brow.

“Is it just him? Where’s his family?” Tenly questions.

“I think it’s just…him,” Flynn says. A single guy who looks like that buying a house in the suburbs? Why?

“I don’t like that. This is where you raise families.” Tenly shakes her head.

“Oh, I’m sure he’s willing to make babies,” Owen flirts. I laugh, and Flynn rolls his eyes.

“Right, because murder houses scream American dream,” I jab. Owen laughs and glances over his shoulder at me, his face telling megood one.

“What’s going on?” Heston asks, coming outside.

I gesture toward the end of the road, where all the commotion is. “Someone’s moving in.”

He looks around me, his face hardening, sharp eyes darting back to me.

“What?” I ask, curious as to what has him so irked all of a sudden.

“Thanks for coming, everyone,” Heston dismisses, and my brows rise to my hairline.

“Wait—what? What are you doing?” I whisper to Heston, embarrassment flushing my cheeks. He snatches my hand, retreating backward. Ignoring my question.

“Heston, tell me what is going on!” I demand, my nostrils flaring. This is supposed to be our party, to celebrate us. Why is he’s suddenly ending it?

“I said it’s over!” He snarls, but in a whisper, so only I can hear it. His eyes piercing with anger, making my breath hitch in my throat.

“Already? The party is just getting started!” Tenly objects, her eyes now on us.

“Yeah, I’m not feeling well,” he lies, and I blink slowly. This is actually happening; he’s ending the party without even telling me why.

“Um…yeah, thanks for coming, you guys.” I follow his lead, my voice laced with confusion. We were having a good time, what the hell happened? Heston tugs me inside, slamming the door behind us.

“What is going—?”

He grabs me by the shoulders and presses me against the back of the door.

“Really? Everyone is here to celebrate our engagement and I can’t even leave the room for five minutes without you gawking at another man from the front lawn?”

My mouth drops open, but nothing comes out, shock and surprise swallowing every word I want to say. I finally force myself to say something. “W-We were all looking Heston, it was a new neighbor.” My voice wavers, on the edge of an emotional break down.

“You’re taking my last name, and I forbid you to smear it with slutty behavior,” he sneers, his words stabbing me in the chest, allowing my heart to fall onto the floor.

“Excuse me? How dare you—”

His open palm smacks across my cheek, and my head snaps to the side, my hand instantly raising to cover the spot that was hit.

“Dammit, Rain.” He rubs his neck, regret pinching his features. Placing his hand on my now red cheek, he cradles my head. “I’m sorry. It’s just…you mean so much to me. The thought of losing you is too much to bear.”

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