Page 15 of Beautiful Storm

I can handle a lot of things, but being talked about behind my back is my own personal nightmare. It’s the reason I’m so friendly to everyone, always making sure people have no reason to talk about me. Keeping people on my side.

Except for Luke. That ship sailed long ago.

A laugh draws my attention back to the circle just as my challenge is set. “You have to spend an hour locked in the attic with…” She trails off with a smile andugh. One ofthosedares. I set my gaze on the group, holding back my reaction. I have no doubt I could talk to anyone here, and if they don’t want to talk, I’m good with silence too.

“An hour with…” Brianna repeats herself, taking her time and driving me crazy, though I don’t let on.

“Come on, the suspense is killing me.” I mock, pretending to be excited.

Brianna stares at me smugly before her gaze lifts to something behind me—or more specifically someone—and then announces a name like she’s announcing it at an awards ceremony. “The man. The God. Luke Bennett.”

An involuntary groan rips from within me and I don’t bother hiding it. She says “The man. The God” but what I hear is… “The self-absorbed. The competitive. The overconfident and annoying. Luke Bennett.” And he wasn’t supposed to be here. At least, that’s what my friend told me.

“Come on, Joy.” Luke speaks from behind me, his cocky tone making me cringe as he calls me by the nickname I hate. “I’m game if you are.”

God, where did he come from? And how long has he been here?

I jump up and dust myself off before turning to face him, my expression neutral while he grins. “Let’s go,” I say with confidence, keeping my voice upbeat as I hold back my disdain. People know we don’t get along, but they don’t need to know just how much he affects me.

Wolf whistles and cheers ring out as we walk away, but I don’t look back. Luke, however, joins in on the fun, acting like he’s about to have the time of his life. And I can say with absolute certainty that’s not the case. I want nothing to do with him.

We walk up the stairs, and it’s not until we’re out of earshot that I finally break my silence, being sure to keep my voice low so it doesn’t reach the guy assigned to follow us. “I thought you’d be toocoolfor one of these parties,” I say as we hit the first landing, keeping myself one step ahead of Luke.

“Half the team is here, so I’m here.” He shrugs, no big deal, but I sense there's more to it. Not that I ask; instead, I fall quiet again.

“I see you’re still in some kind of one-sided competition with me,” Luke scoffs, not bothering to hide his feelings as he grabs my shoulder, startling me.

I stop suddenly and almost lose my footing when I spin around to face him, waving him off when he leans forward to help me. “That’s crazy,” I say, shaking off his hold. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you do.” He moves ahead, taking the stairs two at a time. “It’s been happening for years.”

“What has?” I proceed with denial.

He waits until he’s reached the next landing before turning around to face me, his expression pinched as if to say, “are you kidding me?”

“You…” He points my way. “You’ve been trying to beat me at everythingsince we started middle school. Do you think I haven’t noticed the excitement you get when you receive a higher score on a math test, or the snicker that escapes you when I mess up a presentation?”

“You’re delusional,” I snap. “If I snicker it’s because it’s nice to see the high and mighty fall. And I'm excited because I’m happy and proud.”

“The ‘high and mighty’?” He scoffs before shaking his head and taking a step back when I reach him, raising his hands in the air as he lets me pass, making a show of not touching me. Like I’m poison.

“Yes.” I roll my eyes. “People likeyouwho think you’re above everyone else.”

“I think that?”

“Don’t play dumb.”

“Whatever.”

He rushes ahead again, making it to the top landing in a few steps, but pauses before walking through the door. I assume he’s going to wait and slam it in my face, but he surprises me by opening it when I arrive and holding it there until I walk by.

I almost thank him until he leans in close, whispering as I move past. “And now you have to spend an hour with the likes of me. However will you cope?”

His breath sends a shiver down my spine but I hold still, refusing to show him he affects me. “Easily,” I say confidently. “Because as you alluded to, I’m competitive and I always win.”

“Alright then… Ladies first.” He pins me with a stare, pointing toward the ladder dropping down from the attic, and I internally grimace. I don’t want to be the first up there, but I also don’t want him to know that I’m scared of what we’ll find, and I’m about to give in until I remember.

“No way. I’m wearing a dress. You’re not getting a peep show. You go first. And you.” I spin around to find our supervisor, David, standing behind us, his arms folded and a bored expression in place. “Youstay by the door.”

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