Page 47 of Dig Your Grave

Anubis exhaled, guiding me toward the edge of the hot tub.Warm vapor licked my face, the scent of whiskey intensifying.A swirl of half-naked students lounged in it, some perched on the rim with feet dangling in the bizarre brew.

“Want to dip in?”he asked, voice quiet in my ear.“We can do a lap, show face, and then slip away.”

I hesitated, glancing at my outfit, a short black dress under a sweater cardigan, not exactly hot-tub gear.It was not exactly warm enough to be in a bikini.But the challenge in Anubis’ eyes said it might be simpler to blend than to stand out.“Okay,” I murmured.“Though this is the strangest pool I’ve ever seen.”

He laughed under his breath.“Just… don’t swallow any, or you’ll probably pass out in minutes.”

I toed off my shoes and peeled off the outer layers.Anubis did likewise, leaving him in a fitted T-shirt and athletic shorts, both of which he quickly traded for something more watery, grabbing a pair of trunks from a hamper near the tub.I borrowed an oversized shirt from a random hamper as well, doing my best to keep modest.This was all so casual for them, but to me it was humiliating and bizarrely comedic.

“No,” Anubis said, catching my hands, keeping me from putting the big shirt on.He aimed for me to get in the tub in my underwear.“Let me show you off tonight.”

Looking down, I wasn’t too sure about this.

“You’re beautiful, Nubia.Your bra and panties are more modest than those bikinis.Come on.”

His kind and honest words convinced me.Moments later, I eased into the swirling warmth.The smell made my eyes water, an intense fusion of cheap whiskey and who-knew-what.Anubis slid in beside me, arms resting on the tub’s edge.The whirl of conversation and laughter surrounded us.Some of the rowers were half-drunk already, clinking plastic cups, cheering each time someone dunked under.

“You good?”Anubis asked.Beneath the water, his hand found my knee.The tub’s liquid stung my skin a bit, but not unbearably.The entire situation felt surreal, as though I’d wandered into a fever dream of excess.

“Yeah,” I managed, scanning the crowd for any sign of watchers or specifically Sophie.“Reminds me why I’ll never feel normal here.”

He squeezed my knee gently.“If it helps, I don’t feel normal either.”A flicker of sincerity in his eyes made my chest tighten as he leaned over to whisper.“All this wealth, the glitz, my family made it look easy, and you know in Crestwood all my friends were normal, middle-class kids, so it’s never comfortable here for me.I’d rather be hacking a library server with you.”He said it with a wry grin.“But if I don’t act like I enjoy this shit, I’ll float.

I let out a trembling laugh.“That’s messed up, but I know what you mean.”

Just then, a hush fell near the patio doors.I glanced over, spotting a tall, blonde figure in a sleek, skin-hugging dress.Sophie.She scanned the crowd, found Anubis, and offered a smile that was more of a challenge.My heart lurched, her expression carried an air of ownership, as though she were about to reclaim a prize.

Within seconds, she sauntered closer, ignoring me entirely.“Captain,” she said in a low purr, leaning down so her gaze locked onto his.“Enjoying the festivities?”She flicked a glance at the whiskey water.“You always did like the hot tub.”

Anubis’ jaw clenched.He didn’t bother returning her smile.“It’s fine,” he said tersely.

She turned her attention on me then, lips curving in a polite but icy grin.“Hello, Suede.Didn’t think you’d be the type.”

Heat prickled my cheeks.“I’m full of surprises.”My voice stayed even though I fought the urge to bristle.

She brushed a hand over Anubis’ shoulder, and I noticed how he stiffened.“We should talk,” she murmured to him, ignoring me again.“Soon.”Then she pivoted in a swirl of expensive perfume, disappearing back into the crowd.

My pulse hammered.Rage, jealousy, confusion, all roiled at once.Did I just see them share some unspoken tension?Why did it feel so personal?What was her jab about the hot tub?

Anubis exhaled hard, glancing at me.“I’m sorry,” he said under his breath, the lines around his eyes taut.“She and I have a complicated history.”

I hesitated, not sure if I wanted to ruin the night further by prying, but I couldn’t let it fester.“Are you… still involved?”My heart thudded, a sour taste filling my mouth.

He shook his head.“Hell no.Not anymore.Sophie is my ex, back from… a time when I was dumber, younger.She has her own agenda now.She wants me to stick to the old Skulls path, to eventually inherit all this,” he gestured around.“And keep her by my side.”A bitter laugh escaped him.

“She really doesn’t like this hot tub,” I started.

“She thinks I cheated on her in the hot tub.We weren’t even together.But she assumes we are inevitable.”

My chest tightened.“And… are you two inevitable?”

“No,” he said firmly, meeting my gaze.“I’m not going to end up with her.She can plan all she wants, but I’ve changed.I’m not the same person who fell for her illusions.”Then, softer, he added, “She thinks because we share a history, because our families want it that we’ll end up together again.But that’s her fantasy, not mine.”

Relief washed over me, though the stress of this entire environment didn’t vanish.I nodded, shifting closer so only he could hear.“You know she’s not going to stop at talk.”

He swallowed, eyes flicking to the glass doors where Sophie vanished.“I know.She’s relentless.But so am I.”His hand slid from my knee to my waist under the water.“Let’s get out of here soon, yeah?We’ve done enough damage to our nasal passages with this whiskey tub.”

I laughed despite myself, the odd madness of the night peaking.“Agreed.I can’t imagine how the folks cleaning this tub will feel about all this liquor.”

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