Page 65 of Into The Darkness

“Yeah, Maddy?”

“You smell like sex.” I playfully slapped her, and we ended up in a fit of giggles, grateful for the light reprieve after such a heavy night.

A vehicle came around the corner, the light shining in our eyes. It was . . . a motorcycle?

“Are you expecting anyone, because I think that bike is coming our way,” Maddy asked, and we both stood.

“Rain?” I asked as he pulled off his black helmet.

“Here is a replacement.” I walked over to where he was handing me a small box with an iPhone inside of it.

“This is mine?” I asked.

“I managed to get your SIM card from the other phone, so I stuck it in an extra we had around the house. Should work the same.”

“You got this for me?” I asked as Maddy stood behind me.

“Yeah. I couldn’t be on the other end of listening to Ash bitch about how he couldn’t reach you.”

“That was so nice of you.”

“It’s whatever. See you guys later.” He nodded over to Maddy, who gave him a wave.

“Wow,” she exclaimed as I walked back to where she was standing.

“Yeah.” There was already a text from Ash on the phone, so I swiped to see what it said.

Ash:

I’m sorry again. I miss you already. Come study with me at the library tomorrow?

Me:

I am still mad at you.

Ash:

I know. I’ll always fuck up but at least you’ll always forgive me?

I waited a few before I sent my final response.

ME:

Always

Chapter twenty-five

2 months later

“Are you done texting your fucking girlfriend?” Rain asked as we sat at the kitchen table.

“Fuck off. She’s not my girlfriend.”

“Yeah that is what you keep saying, but you guys are always together. I’d say that’s dating.”

“It’s for the house and the bonfire. Gotta keep up appearances.” Lie. I knew it was a lie the moment it came out, and Rain knew I was full of shit, too.

“Are we leaving together tomorrow?” It was the start of winter break, and I hated that Ember and I would be apart. I could protect her in Isles, but it was up to Walsh and her dad to do it at home.

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