Page 154 of Dare To Break

I shove the cell back in my bag and lock up the room. I debate on detouring to the cafeteria for food, but that will mean queuing up and I’m really not in the mood for that, so I go straight to my room.

Miles and Arabella are standing outside his room, with Lacy and Brad, when I step out of the stairwell and their conversation stops when they spot me. I start to walk past them, then stop and turn.

Four pairs of eyes stare at me. Arabella is chewing on her bottom lip, her only outward display of nerves. I want to pull it free, replace her teeth with mine but I keep control over my expression, letting my gaze rove over all of them before settling back on her.

Her shoulders stiffen as she braces herself for whatever I’m about to say. I let a smile curl up one side of my mouth.

“My dad called to say your mom is having a Thanksgiving party. Your attendance is expected. If you need a ride—”

“If you think I’m going to get in a car with you after you dumped me miles away on my first day, you are fucking insane.”

I hike an eyebrow. That’s exactly what I was about to say, but I’m not going to admit it. Instead, I laugh. “Like I’d fucking offer you a place in my car. I was going to say, if you need a ride, I suggest you start looking for someone who lives in the Hamptons and has a dick that needs sucking.”

I turn and stalk away. I should have expected that really, but her rejection still stings.

Chapter 99

Arabella

I don’t take my eyes off Eli until he vanishes from view. Even then, the conversation we’ve had leaves me unsettled. There’s no way I’m getting in a car with him again. Hell will freeze over first.

Brad gives me a thoughtful look. “Jace could probably give you a lift. He lives near Eli’s house. He and Evan usually drive together.”

“He does?” I recall his reaction to me this morning and wonder if he would let me ride with them. Do I really want to be stuck in a car for four hours with a couple of jocks, though? They haven’t stopped teasing me about the photo of the kiss or the fact Eli is my stepbrother.

It’s better than being dumped in the middle of nowhere by Eli. I don’t trust him, and I never will.

“I’m going to text him and ask.” Brad already has his phone in his hand, typing out a message before I can say a word.

Miles gently touches my arm. “I’d take you, but I’m nowhere near there.”

Pushing my worries to the back of my mind, I keep a hold of the new confidence I’ve felt all day. “It’s okay. I needed to start thinking about how I was traveling back anyway. I can get an Uber or something.”

How much would that cost?

My stomach plummets at the thought.

Brad glances up from his cell screen, “He said he doesn’t mind taking you.”

Lacy looks pleased. “Great, then that’s all sorted.”

I’m not sure it’s a good idea, but what other choice do I have? If Elliot asked Eli to bring me back to the house, it means my mother isn’t willing to come and get me.

Did I really think things were going to change?

***

I’m a little later than usual leaving my room. Lacy takes forever to fall asleep, and by the time she’s finally snoring, I’m going to be late. I tiptoe out of our room and type a quick message to warn him.

Me: I’m going to be a little late. My roommate has only just fallen asleep.

Unknown number: I’ll be waiting.

Walking faster, I hurry along the hallway and keep going until I’m out in the darkness. I pause in the shadows beside the door, and slowly sweep my gaze left and right. I can’t afford to be seen.

When I’m satisfied there’s no one lurking, I take off across the grass. The trees are dark silhouettes as I approach them. When I reach the start of the path, I slow my pace and head for the cemetery. Excitement grows as the bench comes into view. Smiling to myself, I tug the blindfold out of my pocket and pull it on the second I sit down.

I tuck my hands between my thighs, keep my head up and back straight.

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