Page 24 of Into The Darkness

“I think I might wait until I get my milkshake,” I responded.

“Do you actually live in our apartment?” I asked, and his gaze shot up at me.

“Is that your one question?”

I laughed.

“I’m just trying to make conversation. Chill.” I rolled my eyes, then unfolded my arms and leaned my elbows onto the table.

The waitress brought over our milkshakes, and I think we both welcomed the reprieve from the tension emanating between us.

“I actually just rent the parking spot next to yours. I live at the frat house, but there wasn’t much parking there, so I saw a Craigslist ad that your landlord had put out and grabbed the space,” he said as he took a long pull at the milkshake.

“But your car was fine parked at the Den just now?” I asked, trying to understand his logic. Why would he rent a spot on the other side of town when the driveway seemed plenty empty?

“A lot of the guys go away on the weekend, so I usually leave it there.” Something still wasn’t sitting well with me.

“Then, when I first saw you in the elevator, why were you in my building headed down to the garage?” His eyes darted up from his straw, but his lips never left. The green of his eyes darkened.

“I cannot answer questions I don’t have answers to. Are you done with the interrogation?”

“Oh no. I am just getting started.” My lips curled up, and there was a hint of glee in the corners of his eyes.

As if our waitress knew the exact moments we needed a break, she came back with our burgers, and it was so thick and juicy.

“Now this is a good burger,” I commented.

“See, I told you!” Ash said, pointing at me, which only made me laugh. He was the type of guy who seemed like he didn’t laugh often, so hearing it was like hearing the softest melody on a stormy day.

I took a bite of the burger, then wiped the grease off my hands. My stomach rumbled, and I was so grateful Ash had brought me there. The sandwich I nibbled on earlier was nowhere near as amazing as this was.

It got me thinking about the time our chef back at home made us burgers for the Fourth of July and I ate three; they were so delicious and greasy. Dad and Walsh complained the entire time. They had a more sophisticated palette. Being alone sucked because I was a terrible cook and often missed the food at home, no matter what it was.

“Thank you,” I said, and he nodded while taking another bite of his burger.

“So, you are in the Den?” I asked through bites.

“You could say that.”

“God, are you always so evasive?” I retorted.

He laughed again. “When I need to be. But to answer your question, yes, I am a member of the Den.”

“Is it true that the Den and the Alphas have this crazy rivalry?” I asked, remembering what Maddy had mentioned before we went out.

Ash slammed his hand on the table, which made me jump and drop the burger onto the plate.

“What the—”

“Why do you know about this? What do you know?” He had an edge to his tone.

“I, uh, nothing. My brother is in the Alphas, so I just heard it.” I lied, not wanting to throw my new roommate and one of my only friends under the bus.

“I know who your brother is,” Ash responded after calming down.

“Oh. That’s not creepy.” I rolled my eyes.

“Ember, I swear to God, you are getting under my skin.” I leaned down to take a sip of my milkshake. “You shouldn’t know about any rivalry.”

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