Page 35 of The Engagement Party

“I saw a flashlight earlier.” Mitch opened three kitchen cabinets before he found it and turned it on. “If you’re going to do this asinine thing I’ll come with you.”

A screeching noise filled Sierra’s head. Every horror movie she’d ever watched while tucked in a blanket on her couch rolled through her mind. “What is with you two and this sudden spark of misplaced bravery? Absolutely not.”

Alex shook his head at Mitch as he took the flashlight. “You and Will stay in here. Watch the front door and windows... just in case.”

Alex opened the back door and the brutal wind swished through the house. Rain pelted the floor. The temperature had dropped again, sending a chill air whipping against Sierra’s clothes. The urge to slam the door shut and bolt it, put her body against it, overtook her. But by the time she regained her emotional balance, Alex was gone.

“Shit.” Mitch scanned the room and finally picked up one of the three logs sitting in the fireplace. “I’ll go get him.”

Will was a step ahead. “I’m not leaving you two out there.”

“What kind of testosterone bullshit is this?” Ruthie asked.

“Lock the door behind me. Grab some towels because we’regoing to get soaked.” Mitch issued the orders as he stepped onto the porch. The wind ruffled his hair and plastered his shirt to his chest and arms.

Seeing the storm rage, almost sucking him out there, jump-started Sierra’s brain. “Please don’t—”

Will’s yelling cut off further argument. “Mitch! Get out here now.”

Mitch took off. He disappeared into the night just as Sierra heard Will’s next words: “It’s Alex... I need help.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ruthie

“We’re all going.”

Sierra made the announcement just as Ruthie committed to finding the best place to hide until morning. She thought they should all side with her plan. “Screw that.”

“No, Sierra’s right.” Cassie picked up one of the logs but dropped it again in favor of a small fireplace shovel. She held it as she faced Ruthie down. “I don’t trust you, and I need to get to Alex. So, you’re coming with us. No arguments.”

Cassie, all five-foot-seven of her, stood in the middle of the floor with her hair and clothing disheveled, weapon in hand and eyes wild, looking like an avenging angel. Every move she’d made up until then seemed calculated to maintain control of the house and the conversation. This, the monotone threat and the grip on that shovel, showed fear. For her, for Alex, maybe for all of them. It was the first genuine emotion Ruthie could detect from Cassie.

“Or you’ll hit me with that?” Ruthie thought it could happen and took a step back until her legs hit the couch.

“Between you and Alex, I pick Alex. Always.” Cassie’s eyescleared but the fury and panic still lingered. “You should never forget that.”

Ruthie grabbed her phone and clicked on the light. “You win.”

Sierra ducked her head and whispered, “It’s going to be okay.”

“Is it?” Because Ruthie couldn’t see a way out of this that didn’t end in more bloodshed.

Sierra sighed. “I have no idea.”

Three steps later they were outside, and the storm spun around them. The rain soaked their clothes. Their sneakers at times slipped on the drenched grass and at others sank into the mud. They trudged and watched and stayed together. Even Cassie, who looked ready to bolt back in the house, now slowed her gait.

The howling wind made it tough to hear. Cassie said something but the words turned into muffled nonsense. Incomprehensible. Ruthie didn’t try to decipher or clarify. Head down, she leaned into the slog.

The house provided some protection from the battering mix of water and gales. The hurricane-like conditions had them pushing forward, each step heavy and labored, as the storm tried to stuff them back into the house.

When they turned the corner, the whistling drafts came in punches. Each battering blow stole Ruthie’s breath. She tried to focus through watery vision. Cassie dropped the fireplace shovel and fell to her knees. She seemed to be crawling. Then Ruthie saw the body. Recognized Alex’s shirt.

Cassie reached for Alex. Her hands moved all over him. She was talking to him. Crowding in, Ruthie could hear the rapidyou’re okaybeing repeated over and over. Blood dripped from a wound on his forehead and his eyes stayed closed.

Mitch and Will pulled at Cassie, trying to lift her. They outweighed her and had leverage, but she lowered her body tighter against Alex’s, as if protecting him.

Mitch slipped and fell on his knees beside her. His arm went around her. “We need to get him inside.”

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