Page 124 of Dare To Break

Toeing off my sneakers, I pick them up and walk across the sand, letting the breeze and sound of the seagulls soothe my nerves. By the time I return to the car, I’m feeling better, more relaxed, less tense. I lean against the side of my car to dust off the sand from my feet before lacing up my sneakers, then grab a bite to eat from one of the beachside cafes. I opt to sit at one of the tables outside to sip my coffee and eat the cream cheese and ham bagel. My cell vibrates against my leg. I consider ignoring it, but it’s probably Kellan so I pull it out.

Sure enough, it’s my best friend. I laugh quietly into my mug. My only friend.

Kellan: Where did you go?

Me: Took a drive to clear my head. Will be back in an hour, give or take.

Kellan. An hour? Where are you?

Me: Cape May.

Kellan: The beach. Should have known. Bring some alcohol back with you.

Me: Preference?

Kellan: Something that won’t change the color of the punch.

He ends the text with a wink emoji.

***

It’s late afternoon when I finally get back to Churchill Bradley. People are milling around, and I have a couple of near misses when they don’t get off the drive leading to the parking lot fast enough. Okay, so maybe I put my foot on the gas a time or two. I wouldn’t be sad to introduce half of them to the front of my car.

I’m climbing out of the car and reaching for the bags of alcohol when a hand clutches my sleeve.

“Where have you been? I need you to put the mural in place!” Lacy’s tone is sharp with annoyance.

I turn slowly, my eyes on her fingers where it rests on my arm.

“A, get your hand off me. B, touch me again without permission and I’ll break your fingers. And C, get one of your minions to do it.”

“For god’s sake, Eli, can’t we just have one day where you don’t act like a fucking monster.”

Monster. I mask a flinch at the word. How many times have I been called that over the years? I should be used to it by now. And, for the most part, I am. But on days like today, when I’m already feeling raw, it hits harder than it should.

I summon up a smile. “It’s Halloween, Lacy. Why would I pretend to be something I’m not when it’s the one day of the year being the monster is popular?”

Her fingers drop and she pouts. I fight not to roll my eyes.

“Please, Eli? Pretty please?” She touches a finger to her lips. “I did what you wanted, like a good girl.” Her body moves closer to mine, breasts pressing against my arm. “I could be a good girl for you again.” Her voice drops to a whisper.

“I’m good, thanks.” I grab the bags off the back seat, then lock the car. “I’ll take these up to my room, then bring the mural down for you.”

She squeals and throws her arms around my neck, covering my cheek in kisses. I’m about to shove her off me when I see movement and look around to find Jace glaring at us. I toss him a smile and hold his gaze while I bring my hands down to cover Lacy’s ass and squeeze, pulling her against me.

I know he’ll go straight to Brad with what he’s seen. And sure enough, he scowls and spins to go back the way he came. I pat Lacy’s ass and push her away.

“If you don’t let me go, you won’t get your mural.”

“Are you sure I can’t …” Her eyes drop to my groin.

“We’ve done this already. Go and find your boyfriend to get you off.” I walk around her without waiting to see if she has anything else to say.

Kellan isn’t in our room when I get there, so I dump the bottles on his bed, then go and move the mural pieces as promised. The ballroom has been decorated to look like the interior of a haunted house. The centerpieces of each table are little coffins with hands bursting out of them. They’re cute, I guess. It takes three trips to bring down everything, and I position it against the wall Lacy decided on when I first started the job. Once it’s in place, I step back to give it one final look over.

“Looks great,” Kellan says from behind me.

I nod without looking at him. “I put some little Easter eggs on it. See if you can find them. Did you get the drinks?”

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