Page 78 of What Happened on Roslyn Street?
They call from outside: “Tobey!”
Caldwell scrambles from the bed, pulling up his pants.
Oh, God. Margaux’s voice is undeniable—and clipped short, a display of her frustration.
“If we don’t say anything,” I say, “she’ll never know we’re in here.”
“I can hear you!” Margaux calls, mild humor hidden behind her irritation. “I know you’re in there, and I’ve given himmorethan enough time to finish the job. If you can’t get her off, it’s time to give herup.”
“Margaux!” I groan.
“We have other things to do,” she says.
I cringe, embarrassed by the words—and by the strangers who can likely hear them.
“She’s right,” Caldwell says, taking my hand and helping me into a standing position.
“Aboutwhat?” I whisper, eyes wide. “You already finished me!”
Though I was hoping to go again.
“Not that. But we do have things to worry about,” he says, chuckling, not as affected by Margaux’s taunting as I am.
Margaux takes that as a sign that she can open the door, storming in without another word.
“Of course, I’m right,” she says. “Come on. I know you two were in here all night—everyone knows, actually—and we have other rooms to check. I’ve had them all emptied.”
I shake my head. “How did you do that?”
I’ve only been here twice, but each time, the rooms were occupied—and there were people outside waiting for their turn. Margaux may have more sway here than she claimed.
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to,” she says, with a mysterious air about her.
She’s right—I already saw what goes on in these rooms. I don’t want to imagine Margaux barging in and demanding the couples leave.
It’s exactly like she did to Caldwell and me.
Margaux doesn’t linger. She makes her way to the door. I move to follow her, but before I can make it out, Caldwell reaches for my arm.
“Tobey.” He looks at me with his deep, penetrative eyes, and my heart stops. I don’t dare speak, waiting for him to say what he needs to. “Be mine.”
My lips part, gasping softly.
“I am,” I say, surprising myself with how certain I sound.
Chapter Seventeen
The vampire club didn’t have answers, but the night wasn’t a total waste, considering the fun I had with Caldwell and Margaux. Dancing, drinking—the fun weshouldbe having in college.
Now, it’s back to work.
“Tell me again why we have to do this…” It’s something I’ve been avoiding for a while.
As far as my parents are concerned, I went back to Portland shortly after Poppy’s funeral. Castine is small enough that I run the risk of bumping into them around town, but considering their fear of Strode, I doubt it will happen. I spend most of my time on campus.
The three of us are parked outside of my mother’s house. It had once been full of my little family: my mother, my father, and me.
Now, when I’m not visiting, she lives here alone. Thinking about it elicits a pang of guilt, but it’s not enough for me to visit more often. Being around my mother is stressful.
