Page 22 of Devil on the Lake

“What look?” A hint of incredulity creeps into her calm tone.

Reading her body language, I prepare to grab the nearest drink, throw it on the guy, and help her shove him off, but Phoenix shoulders past me.

“Hey!” he barks. “Get your hands off!”

“Phoenix!” Luna twists in Chad’s arms. “Wait, he wasn’t—”

It’s impressive how quickly he gets between them, drawing her behind him protectively. She curls her fingers in the back of his hoodie.

“What the hell were you doing?” he demands.

“Chill, bro. I don’t see your name stamped on her ass. She’s my date tonight. You can’t piss on her as your territory if she’s not your girlfriend or you’re not fucking her.”

“Hey!” Luna shouts.

Phoenix narrows his eyes and punches Chad. It’s an impressive punch that lays him out with one hit. Luna seems unsurprised, but I jump. A couple of Chad’s football buddies come over, but they aren’t quick to jump to his defense with him knocked out and Phoenix looming over him.

“Don’t hurt him,” she says. “He’s just drunk. He wasn’t going to do anything. I had it all under control.”

“He disrespected you,” he growls in a dangerous tone.

“I…” A complicated mix of emotions crosses her face. She blows out a breath and addresses the football team. “Can you guys take him to your cabin and make sure he’s alright? There’s ice in a cooler by the one we set up for a medical station.”

We all watch as they do as she says, carting Chad away. Phoenix flexes his fists and grits his teeth, standing over her like her guard.

“I need to talk to you.” He catches Luna’s wrist in his grasp and leads her away.

“I’ll be back in a bit, Willow,” Luna calls to me apologetically.

Once they’re gone, I swallow. I’m left alone. People have been shooting me surreptitious looks since Lowell announced to the whole party what happened in the cabin. I almost laugh. For once I’m not being judged for my personal style, but because I’m going down as the slut of the party for sleeping with Dante.

Girls shoot me jealous looks and guys eye me like a piece of free meat.

Ugh. I don’t want to spend the rest of my night being stared at. I put my skewer in a bucket of used ones, intending to go find an empty cabin to chill in.

“Here.” Daniel appears at my side, startling me.

“Daniel.”

He offers a drink. After staring at it for a beat, I take it with a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. I feel a bit like I’m under a microscope from the way he stares at me until I take a sip. My nose nearly scrunches—I don’t like vodka or juice, preferring rum and Coke.

Like the drink Dante made.

No. That needs to stop right now. I can’t keep comparing every guy to Dante.

At least it’s weak. Daniel’s cheeks tinge and he peers into his cup like it will tell him the answers to the universe.

“Thanks.” An awkward silence blankets us and I cast around for something to talk about. “So, your poem was cool in class today. I liked the imagery.”

Daniel perks up. “You did? I was inspired by yours. Everything you write moves me.”

Keeping my polite smile in place becomes difficult. He doesn’t hold up the conversation. After a few agonizing minutes of silence, he mumbles something I don’t catch and walks off.

With a sigh, I dump the drink Daniel gave me and head down to the lake edge to get away from the party again. It’s peaceful out here.

Before long, it becomes clear that a peaceful place to think is the last thing I need. My thoughts return to the cabin with Dante more than once until I’m irritated with myself. Why can’t I stop thinking about it?

A twig snaps. My heart skips a beat. I didn't realize someone was following me, but I sense their presence behind me. The slightest hint of woodsmoke touches my nose and my shoulders shake with a quiet laugh.

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