Page 4 of Destroying Everleigh

Once he was gone, Amber turned to me with a wide smile. “He is beyond the hottest guy I’ve ever seen,” she gushed.

I shrugged. If there was one thing I knew about Ashton was that he was probably lurking around the hall trying to hear our conversation. That’s how he used to be anyways. “Not really my type anymore,” I lied. He wasexactlymy type, which was precisely why I wanted to give Lucas a shot. I needed something different.

Amber shot me an incredulous look, but then her gaze softened when she was hit with a sudden realization. “Oh. Right…” she trailed off. “You are dating Lucas fucking Rivers after all. And he’s the furthest thing from a tatted up bad boy than you can get.” She giggled.

I snorted in response. She wasn’t making fun of him, but she wasn’t wrong. Lucas fit the pretty boy jock stereotype. Ashton was someone he’d probably attempt to bully in his younger years only to have his face smashed in afterwards.

We stepped out of the classroom, and as expected, Ashton was making his way down the hallway with his back to us, indicating that he did hang back to eavesdrop for a few moments.

I guess some things never changed.

CHAPTER TWO

Everleigh

Age 15

Lord Heron - The Night We Met

The chilly wind swept my hair behind my shoulders as I ran through the haunted maze, my heart practically beating out of my chest. Night had fallen, leaving nothing but a blanket of darkness and the anticipation of some person in a costume jumping out of nowhere to scare me to death. I’d lost Briley somewhere in the maze, and guilt gnawed at me for allowing us to get separated. She was absolutely terrified of this kind of thing, and I had to admit, so was I. The game was simple. If you got taken by a monster, they’d put you in a costume and turn you into one, too. It was my family’s favorite Halloween tradition, and the thrill was consuming. The winner got a bunch of candy and a five-hundred-dollar gift card, which was incentive enough for kids my age to want to play, despite the fear.

My legs carried me down a narrow empty path of the maze, my throat tightening as my steps slowed, unsure of what awaitedme around the corner. As I passed an opening in the maze, too afraid to get stuck in the dead end I knew was awaiting me there, someone jumped out from that same opening, grabbing me by my arm. A scream got lodged in my throat, my chest beating wildly as I was forced into the shadows and thrown against the wall. The stranger slapped his hand over my mouth to muffle my panicked screams.

“It’s just me,” he whispered, amusement evident in his voice.

I blinked a few times, willing my eyes to adjust to the even darker part of the maze, and slowly, his features became more prominent. I sagged in relief.

Ashton was a newer student who sat with the popular kids at lunch. He’d flirt with me in class every now and then, but it was never more than that. I’d never even seen him outside of school until now.

“You’re trembling.” He laughed. “Did I scare you that badly?”

As the tension in my chest eased at the realization that he wasn’t some monster coming to drag me away, I suddenly realized our position. My back was to the hard planes of the maze wall, his arms on either side of me, caging me in. His teeth sparkled through the darkness, and I couldn’t help but melt into him, my heart beating wildly for different reasons now.

“Yeah,” I whispered. “I hate jump scares.”

“Sorry. You were headed right toward a monster.” He motioned with his head, directing it through the wall behind us—the path I had stupidly chosen, scared that there was someone lurking right where we were now. It seemed like the perfect spot for someone to hide.

“Well…um, thanks for not letting me get turned into one of them,” I added nervously.

A chuckle rumbled through his chest and he took a step forward, closing the distance between us. His warmth coated me in its embrace as he pressed up against me and my legs trembledunder my weight. I hesitantly brought my hands up to rest against his chest, not sure where else to put them.

“Never,” he whispered, his warm breath fanning over my lips.

I’d never been this close to a guy before, and it made my head spin for several different reasons. He was easily the most attractive guy at school, but he could have anyone he wanted. Why seekmeout? I was a nobody.

My thoughts came to a screeching halt when he pressed his lips to mine, my eyes widening at the unexpected kiss. I’d never kissed anyone either or had any idea how to. He was so confident, and I wasn’t. What if I messed up, or it was bad? My body shook against his and he pulled back.

“Do you not want to kiss me?” he asked, a hint of concern tinging his words. That’s when I realized I hadn’t even kissed him back. I just stood there limply, feeling like an idiot. “I didn’t mean to force it on you. I just thought that maybe you’d want to.”

Humiliation burrowed deep inside me, and I clamped my eyes closed, willing my body to react how it needed to. He was extremely hot, and if I messed this up, I’d never forgive myself. I tightened my grip around the front of his hoodie where my hands were now fisting the material.

“I’m going to sound like an idiot.” I breathed. “But I’ve never kissed anyone before.”

He was silent for a few moments and I pried my eyes open, certain that he’d be staring at me with some form of amusement. He’d make fun of me, tell me I was a loser for it, or just tell me it was all one big joke, and he wanted to see if I’d actually do it or not. His jock buddies would be lurking around the corner and then make fun of me, too. Then I’d have to move, change my name to Patricia, and go into hiding.

“That’s actually really hot,” he muttered, catching me off guard. “If I kiss you again, will you kiss me back?”

I hesitated for a moment but willed myself to nod.

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