Page 116 of Dare To Live

Miles interrupts us before he can answer, shattering the moment. “Hey, guys, can we join you?”

He doesn’t wait for an answer, dropping into the seat beside me. Ivan places the tray he’s carrying on the table and pulls out the chair opposite Eli.

“Not that seat.” Eli’s head snaps in his direction, voice sharp.

Ivan stills. “Why not?”

“It belongs to someone else,” I tell him. “Kellan.”

A look of understanding flashes across Ivan’s face, and he moves to the next chair along. “Forgive me. I didn’t know.”

“Thanks.” Eli’s eyes burn into mine, bright with pain.

Seeing the anguish in his gaze is like a spear to my heart. “Kellan might not be with us physically, but he’s still with us for the last week of school. No one else gets to sit in his place, okay?”

Something shifts between us, the lighter mood evaporating.

He swallows hard. “I think I need some air. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Good night, Arabella.”

My stomach drops and a sense of loss washes over me. Before I can stop him, he pushes back his chair and stalks from the room.

The demons he keeps buried are coming out to play. The look on his face as he walks away. It’s one I’ve seen a million times before in the mirror when my own have haunted me.

“Sorry, Bella,” Miles’ voice is filled with regret. “I just assumed we could sit with you.”

“Eli has his own triggers, just as we do.”

“Kellan.” Ivan says.

I nod. “This week is going to be hard for all of us.”

Torture in more ways than one.

An idea takes shape in my head. Maybe I’m crazy, and he won’t accept, but I know it’s one way to distract him from his pain. The need to help Eli burrows deep inside my chest. Maybe it would also bring closure. I shy away from what happened the last time I convinced myself that’s what I wanted. This is different. This isn’t closure from our relationship. Eli was right about that. What happened in the cabin wasn’t about closure at all. But this? This could be just what both of us need.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and find his number. My fingers hover over the screen as I think back. Once I have the words formed in my mind, I type them, tweaking them slightly to make them work.

Me: Leave your dorm at midnight, dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt. Jog to the bench and face the trees before removing your t-shirt. Once completed, leave the t-shirt on the bench. Red or green?

Chapter 64

Eli

I stop walking and stand in the middle of the path staring down at the text.

What the fuck?

Me: Did you mean to send that to me?

My heart is pounding against my ribs while I wait for her reply.

Ari: Who else would I send it to? Red or green, my Nasty Little Monster?

The rapid beat of my heart slows, and something stirs in my chest, a warmth that heats my blood.

Me: Oh, definitely green, Hellcat. Am I leaving my shirt on the bench and walking away?

Ari: No. You’ll receive further instructions when you’re there.

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