Page 43 of Savage Scream

He wants this. I want this. Just do it.

“My name is Elodie.”

His face.

Holy shit, his face.

His brows shoot high, almost off his forehead, even as his face lights up and his lips shift into the most intoxicating smile.

“Hi Elodie,” he whispers, and I can’t hide my grin.

I also can’t hide how he makes me feel, and I lunge at him, claiming his lips. Jared grips my arse, giving a little squeeze before I find myself straddling his lap and we begin to get lost in each other.

“Jared, hurry up or you’ll be late.”

I recognise the female voice as Jared’s mum, who I met at the hospital. Our lips freeze mid-kiss, and Jared grins and groans at the same time before pulling back from me.

“I’d rather spend the day getting lost with you than face the world.”

I grin and nod, because yeah, that sounds good, but I also gesture my head toward his door, because we can’t do that. I might be out of here by the end of next week, but Jared has to finish school. Keep going with his life, so he needs to go to school.

Reluctantly, I let Jared lead me out of his bedroom, and we enter the living area to his dad sitting at the table sipping on a coffee and his mum on the phone, her eyes a little wide as she spots us. Or rather. Me.

“Yes, Cynthia. Dee is here.”

Jared squeezes my hand, shooting a smile over his shoulder at me as he leads me to the table.

“Good morning, Dee,” his dad says, smiling up from his coffee while Jared’s mum finishes the phone call.

I give his dad a timid wave and sit where Jared directs as he makes his way to the pantry.

“Dee, Cynthia said she will be over soon with your bag and uniform,” Jared’s mum states, offering me a strained smile, and I nod and give her a small smile in return.

“What cereal do you like?” Jared asks from the pantry. “Coco Pops, Corn Flakes, or Froot Loops?”

All eyes turn to me for a reaction, so I mouth‘Froot Loops’and duck my head, not liking the attention.

“Froot Loops it is.” Jared nods, gathering up the bowls and milk before returning to the table.

While Jared takes his seat next to me and we work together, silently preparing and starting to eat our breakfast, I keep my eyes cast low, knowing his parents are watching right now.

I know what they are thinking.

Who is this strange girl that doesn’t talk?

Why is she in my house?

What does our son see in her?

Jared puts his phone on the table between us, and he scrolls through TikTok with the volume down, showing me the ones of his mate, Simon, which are pretty funny. Meanwhile, his parents eventually start chatting away, and Jared’s dad rinses his mug in the sink before he turns on the radio.

I really wish he hadn’t done that.

“Police are still asking residents of Timber Valley not to panic. The four new murders over night still aren’t considered that of a serial killer.”

I stiffen at the news reporter’s words, and Jared stills next to me, his spoon halfway to his mouth.

“Oh, my goodness. More murders. What’s going on in our sleepy little town?” Jared’s mum sounds worried, and I’d like to assure her that unless she’s involved in crimes against children, then she’ll be ok.

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