Page 24 of Where the Darkness Goes

She spins around, grasping my arm. “Do you trust me?”

“Of course.” The words leave my mouth like a cough, a reflex. It’s not even a question.

“Then don’t worry about it.” She drops my arm. “Bedroom’s here.” She points to a room with clothes scattered all around on the floor and across the floral bedspread. Her clothes. My eyes land on the bra on the floor and—Jesus H. Christ, what is wrong with me? My body is a sauna.

I have seen her bra before. Hell, I’ve helped Will put away laundry before.

I’ve seen her wearing a bathing suit, too, which is basically a bra.

Andfuck, now my mind is there, and I’m half hard.

I’m losing my mind.

I’m losing my damn mind.

“Bathroom’s there,” she says, and I realize she’s farther ahead of me because I’m standing in place like an idiot. I shake the clouds from my head and jog to catch up. “Her parents’ room is here.” She touches one of the doors that is shut. “Off limits, obviously. And there’s the laundry room, guest room, and this is storage.” She raps her knuckles on the last door. “Any questions?”

“Will there be a quiz?” I tease.

That earns me a look of annoyance. “We should get back out there.”

“Of course. Can’t keeplover boywaiting.”

“Nope,” she quips, and the lack of denial kills me.

“Are you two still…”

“Since this morning?” she asks, stopping in her tracks, her voice deadpan. “Yeah, we’re still.”

A lump settles in my stomach, and suddenly, I’m mad. And stupid. I’m mad and stupid, and it’s a dangerous combination. “So, uh, does Britney like Will?”

“I don’t know, why?” Her brows draw together in a perfect line.

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “Just asking.”

“Doyoulikeher?” she asks, arms folded across her chest. I detect a hint of jealousy in her tone.

Upper hand firmly in place, I give an exaggerated frown with a look that says it’s possible. “She’s cool.”

“Well, she likes Will,” she says, her voice pitchy and weird all of the sudden. “So…sorry about your luck.”

“Eh, I’m hotter than Will. Guess we’ll just have to see who has her attention by the end of the night, won’t we?”

Her eyes could melt glass as she stares at me. She doesn’t even blink. “Guess so.”

I fight the smile on my lips and step around her, making my way into the living room. I should be better than this, but I’m really not. Had I known Will wouldn’t care about his friends dating his sister, I’d have…done…something. Probably. I mean, I think I’d… Obviously. Right? She’d… I mean, it would make the most sense, of all of his friends, that she’d be into me. If I was into her, which—we’re friends. But like, maybe also?—

What is wrong with me?My internal monologue sounds like that show Jenny watches all the time. What is it?Gossip Girlor something?

Well, anyway, the point is, I need to fix this before she goes too far with Brendan. Before she falls in love with him.

“Pepsi or Dr. P?” Britney appears with two plastic cups.

“Dr Pepper, obviously,” I say, taking the second cup when she holds it out.

“Obviously,” she teases.

“Thanks.”

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