Page 97 of Chasing Your Ghost

Riley closed her eyes, unable to meet his gaze while lying by omission. But as she lay there in his arms, his fingers brushing through her hair, she didn’t think she could keep Ella’s secret anymore. Not when his life was at stake. She opened her mouth to tell him the truth, her heart pounding in her ears and her mouth growing dry.

“Noah and Chris are both awake,” he said before she could get the words out. “We should probably go downstairs.”

She hummed in agreement and followed him down to the kitchen, feeling like a coward the entire time. She promised herself she would tell him as soon she got another chance, but she didn’t hate herself any less for intending to betray Ella’s trust and for actually betraying Asher’s by not telling him sooner.

“Coffee?” Ella asked. She’d taken a carton of eggs out of the fridge and was busy cracking them into a bowl.

“I’ll make it, don’t worry.” Riley grabbed a mug from the overhead cabinet, stealing a glance at the woman over her shoulder. “Asher said the others are awake. They should be down soon.”

Ella made a noise of understanding before starting to whisk the eggs with some milk. Chris joined them shortly after, and Riley busied herself making coffee for him and Noah while he followed Ella’s request to put a few slices of bread in the toaster.

Noah made his entrance when Ella was finished making the scrambled eggs and they were all gathering around the small dining room table, but his appearance was far less calm. He came into the room like a turbulent wave of rage, his steps fast and aggressive and his expression thunderous.

“Care to explain why I found this on the dresser in your bedroom?” he growled as he slammed something onto the table.

Riley stared at her murderous stepbrother for a beat longer before turning her attention to the watch he’d so forcefully placed in front of them. It was a men’s watch with a black leather strap. She had no idea why it had made Noah so furious, not until Chris provided the answer that was.

“Is that Asher’s watch?” he asked.

Riley’s head snapped up to look at Ella. The girl had gone pale. She stared at her best friend’s watch, not offering any explanations or excuses as to why she’d had it on her dresser.

Riley turned her attention to Asher next, but his face offered no explanation either. His gaze moved slowly from the watch to Ella, and the confusion in his eyes looked so innocently childlike that Riley felt the urge to wrap her arms around him and protect him from whatever was about to be revealed.

“Why the fuck do you have this, Montgomery?” Noah asked, his voice rising into a shout when he swore.

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“I don’t—” Ella shook her head in denial, her gaze still pinned to the watch. “I don’t understand.”

“You’re going to have to do better than that,” Noah spat. “Why did I find this in your room?” he demanded, picking up the watch and waving it in front of her tear-filled eyes.

“I don’t know,” she choked out.

“You don’t know how Asher’s watch, which he never, ever took off, landed up in your bedroom?” Chris asked, his tone heavy with disbelief.

“No.”

“I don’t understand,” Asher murmured for only Riley to hear.

“Let me ask you something,” Noah said in the coldest tone she’d ever heard from him. “Can you really not find Asher’s body, or are you lying about that too?”

Ella backed away, and Archie followed her, yapping at her feet. She looked between them all, her eyes frantic as she searched for a friend among people who were too suspicious to give her anything but mistrustful frowns. “I’m not lying,” she told them, her voice cracking on the last word.

“If you’re not lying, then prove it by dreamwalking right now,” Riley said before she could think it through.

“What?” Ella asked with wide eyes.

“I’m just struggling to believe you wouldn’t try everything you could to help someone you claim is your best friend.” Riley’s brows drew together in a frown. “He could die, Ella, and you’re refusing to do the one thing that could save him.”

“What are you talking about?” Asher asked.

“I’m lost,” Chris added.

Riley closed her eyes and slowly spun to face Asher. “I found out two days ago that Ella can dreamwalk without being asleep.” Her eyes opened, and she met his confused gaze.

“Shut up!” Ella screamed in the background, but Riley ignored her.

“She has more control over it when she’s awake, and based on what she said this morning, I think she could break through whatever wall is blocking her if she tries to find you that way.”

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