Page 6 of Savage Scream

“Come on, Dee. Why won’t you open up to me?”

I drop my eyes to my lap and pick up my phone, tapping out my response before sucking in a brave breath and showing him my honesty.

‘I’m scared if I open up to you, it will make it harder to leave.’

His blue eyes scan over my words, and they flare before locking with mine.

“It will be hard, Dee. It will be hard for me to let you go and watch you walk away just as much as it will be hard for you to do it.” He takes my hand and presses it to his chest. “But I’m scared if we don’t allow ourselves to have this brief time together, that I’ll die an old man, never knowing what it’s like to have a soul mate.”

3

JARED

The arrival of Dee’s foster parents abruptly put an end to our little deep and meaningful chat. Dee left in a hurry without looking back, and I have no idea where we stand on my proposal. Or perhaps it was a declaration. Whatever it was, she’d better not think I’m giving up. Not when we only have a short time left before she leaves.

Alone with my parents, they insist I get looked over again by the doctors, who declare that I’m fine but want to keep me overnight for observation.

Just as my parents start questioning me about whose car I crashed, I’m saved by my mates bounding in with worry on their faces.

Shaun and Simon reach my bedside first but nearly end up on the floor by Garrett’s feet when Marcus shoves them out of the way and launches himself at me.

“Fuck, man. You gotta stop scaring me like that.” He’s practically in my lap, not even caring if his big frame might be hurting me anywhere. I keep my mouth shut about it, because I’m just as fucking glad to see him and the other three.

“What were you doing out at Ebony Falls?” Simon asks, as Marcus releases me, standing up.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Garrett smirks at me before turning his eyes to Simon. “He was with Dee.”

“Umm,” my mum steps up to the other side of my bed, her blonde brows furrowing. “What exactlywereyou doing out there at that time of night with Dee?”

Fucking hell.

Obviously, I can’t divulge that I was there because I freaked out about killing a man and watching Dee slaughter four others. Garrett’s insinuation about me and Dee is also something I don’t want to admit to my mum if it were true, but it’s all I’ve got for now.

“I was hanging out with Dee,” I state and she frowns.

“Hanging out?” She raises her brows.

“Mum, youdoknow I’m eighteen, right?” I deadpan and her brows shoot up.

“Well, yes Jared. Idoknow that, but surely you can ‘hang out,’” she uses air quotes, “at a more reasonable time of day.”

“Oh, come on, honey.” My dad counters, stepping up behind my mum, turning her to face him as he grins. “Don’t you remember how we used to stay out all night under the stars?”

My mum melts into his chest, looking up into his eyes, and I’m about ready to fucking flee.

“Can you not? I’ve been traumatised enough today,” I snap and my dad shoots me a glare before turning his gaze back to his wife.

“Maybe we should do that again?” He grins down at her. “It could be fun.” Then he leans in and kisses her.

As much as I like to see them happy, which has been really fucking rare of late, I don’t want to see themthathappy.

“Damn. You learn your moves from your old man, Jar?” Shaun chuckles and my mum pulls back, blushing.

Fucking blushing!

Fuck my life.

“Don’t be gross,” I snap, yet can’t help but smirk.

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