Page 80 of Dare To Break

Me: You didn’t set the first dare. There are no more dares after the first one. Who are you? Tell me!

Me: Why are you doing this to me?

Me: Are you there?

Me: Why won’t you respond?

Me: I don’t know what you want from me.

Me: Was this all one big joke to you?

Me: Are you some kind of pervert that gets off luring girls to the woods and touching them?

Me: Did you have a good laugh with your friend afterward?

Me: Why me?

Me: Why did you pick me?

Me: Please talk to me.

Me: Do you want the phone and blindfold back?

I’m such a fucking idiot. I must have been crazy, feeling safe when I thought they were part of the school dares. There’s a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I’m so fucking naive.

But you liked it. A small voice reminds me. You miss the rush, and you want more.

Chapter 52

Eli

I step back from the marble and press a hand to my back. I’ve been working on it for seven hours, knocking off portions of stone I don’t need, ready to shape it into the piece I can see in my head.

I’m covered in dust, dripping in sweat, and my arms ache more than they would if I’d spent hours lifting weights. But it’s a good pain, one I embrace because it’s born of hard work and a desire to bring my vision to life.

Reaching for the bottle of water I left on the little table with my tools, I twist off the cap and drain half of the contents. I need to clean up and get food. I’ve missed breakfast and lunch, and my stomach is making its dissatisfaction known.

I toss the bottle into the trash can near the door and pick up my cell. There are six messages from Kellan and two missed calls, so I tap on his number and wait for him to pick up.

“There you are. I thought that giant stone might have fallen and crushed you.”

“Yet you didn’t come and check.” I drag a hand through my hair, dislodging marble dust which plumes up like smoke around my face.

“I did. I peered through the window, but you were so engrossed in smashing the shit out of the stone, I didn’t disturb you. I bet you didn’t even open the door and find the sandwich I left for you.”

My stomach grumbles at the mention of food. “You’re right. I didn’t.” I wedge the cell between my shoulder and ear and listen to him while I clear away my tools.

“One day, Eli, you’re gonna starve to death because I’m not there to remind you to eat.”

“You’re like the wife I didn’t want.”

“That explains the lack of sex.”

“That and the fact you have a dick.” I take one last look around the room, then step out and lock the door behind me. “I’m on my way back to our room now. Where are you?”

“Football field, watching the jocks get sweaty.”

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