Page 94 of Dare To Take

“Coffee. The cafeteria closed earlier than usual because of the snow, and I know you usually like to get a drink before curfew.” The hand holding the travel mug trembles. “I’m really sorry.”

The sound of footsteps on the snow behind me heralds Kellan’s arrival.

“What are you two doing? Do I need to call a referee?”

“No.” I start to turn, and she catches my sleeve.

“Please, Eli.”

I don’t know why my name on her lips makes me take the coffee from her, but it does, and my fingers curl around the heated mug. I lift it to my lips and take a sip, then point it at her.

“This does not mean we’re friends.”

“I know.” Her voice is quiet. She turns and walks away.

I take another mouthful of the coffee, my eyes on her until she disappears around a corner.

“What was that about?”

Kellan’s question drags my attention away from her and I look at him.

“Not sure. Maybe Warren gave her a warning.” I start walking again, Kellan beside me. “I’m going to change and go for a run. You coming?”

“Fuck, no. Why do you keep asking me that?”

“One day you might say yes.”

“Only if there are zombies chasing me.”

He’s still listing all the reasons why he’ll never come running with me when we reach our room. I drain the rest of the coffee and change into sweats and a t-shirt.

“Last chance to change your mind.”

He flaps his hands at me. “Go. Run. I’m going to find a movie to watch.”

I’m still laughing when I exit the building and jog toward the woods, pressing play on my music.

***

Twenty minutes into the run, ‘Papercuts’ by Machine Gun Kelly is loud in my ears, and I have to stop. I feel weird. My heart is hammering against my ribs at a frenzied pace, and my head is spinning. I feel off-balance, woozy, so when I reach the bench, I sink down onto it and try to steady my racing pulse.

A minute passes, then another, and what feels like the threat of an impending heart attack seems to fade. I stand, a little cautiously, and walk a few feet. When I don’t keel over, I set off again, slowing as the chapel comes into view on my left.

The last time I’d been here was after Arabella keyed my car. The thought of her bent over the pew while I spanked her ass heats my blood.

Is she in there?

Curfew can’t be far away. She probably isn’t, but I’m outside the doors and pushing them open before I can stop myself. Stepping inside, the first thing I notice is the lack of snow.

I shouldn’t be surprised by that. The building is secure, other than the doors being unlocked. Aside from the other day, I haven’t been here in over a year. In my head, I can hear Zoey’s laughter as she dances around the altar, Kellan’s dry sarcasm as he teases her, and the soft sound of pencil on paper as I sketch the both of them.

I move deeper inside, my fingers trailing across the back of the pews and my gaze trained on the altar ahead of me. There’s a figure perched on top of it. Shadows from the windows fall over its back, making it look like they have wings, and my fingers twitch. I wish I had something at hand to capture the beauty of the pose.

My steps are silent as I move closer until I’m right behind her. Her perfume surrounds me, drawing me in, and a surge of something … a need so fucking strong I can’t deny it … takes over. I reach out and stroke my fingers down her neck.

She jerks away, jumps to her feet and spins, blue eyes widening. “Eli?”

My head tilts. Her voice is like music, a physical caress over my skin, and I want to hear her speak again. My hand reaches out to touch her and she takes a step backward.

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