Page 19 of Within Shadows
“Sorry, I just got a little dizzy.” The lie is one I’ve told a dozen times, and he frowns, knowing it was more than that. Garrett doesn’t press and just nods as he stands and stares down at the puddle of coffee between us. He picks up the plastic cup and holds up his finger before he shuts the door and jogs back into the coffee shop.
I drop my head back against the headrest and blow out a breath as I swipe away the tears that have slipped down my cheeks. This is humiliating, and reliving that night over something so simple makes me feel pathetic. Garrett opens the driver’s door and drops in with a proud smile as he holds a new coffee out for me.
“Extra caramel syrup, so this one is even better than your last one.” His smile fades as I take the drink with a nod, trying to hide my undoubtedly shiny eyes.
“We don’t have to do anything. We can act like that stupid holiday doesn’t even exist.” He reaches out, gently squeezing my knee.
“That’s blasphemy. I love Halloween, or at least I used to. The haunted house sounds fun.” I force a smile, and Garrett shakes his head.
“Whatever you’re comfortable with, I’ll be there. I don’t really care what we do as long as we can be together,” he says, and I laymy hand over his, taking comfort in his touch. Garrett starts the car and pulls onto the road but keeps flicking glances at me.
“I can’t keep letting him ruin my life.” The words slip out, a whisper so quiet that I doubt Garrett actually even heard them. Until his hand tenses beneath mine as he stops at a red light and turns to face me.
“He won’t hurt you ever again, Maeve.” Garrett’s demeanor changes completely as he speaks; his voice pitches lower and a darkness rolls over his face. I can’t decide if that switch is terrifying or hot. Mostly hot, considering the ache building between my thighs. I shift in the seat and he rubs a hand over his face, startling when the car behind us honks at the green light we’re currently sitting at. We ride in silence back to my house, and when we finally park, I damn near dive out of the front seat to escape. Garrett stifles a laugh by coughing, and I glare at him as I unlock the door.
My overly heavy backpack slams to the floor, and I wince as I push it out of the way. I hesitate and Garrett steps around me, ducking into every room before he comes out with a smile and gives me a thumbs up.
“No monsters in your closet or under your bed, I checked. Although I may have disturbed a dust bunny nest or two.” He grabs my arm when I shove him, pulling me to his chest as he brushes his nose against mine. “Do you want me to stay here until you get home?”
“I won’t be home until midnight, you’ll die of boredom before I get back.” I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my chin on his chest. Garrett raises a brow and motions to my television.
“Unlimited access to murder documentaries, my girlfriend sending me videos and pictures all night of her having a great time with her friend, and don’t forget cat cuddles. I don’t think you are grasping how exciting all of that truly is.” He tsk’s, kissing my forehead as he wraps his arm around my shoulder,walking me to my room. I chew my lip and start digging through my dresser as Garrett flops onto my bed and curls up around Atticus.
“I’d really like that,” I say softly. Garrett doesn’t respond, and I peek over my shoulder to see him grinning at me before I quickly turn back to gathering my clothes. The floor creaks and I can feel the heat of his body as he steps up behind me. I make a show of pulling out a blue thong, stretching and turning to inspect it.
“Maeve.” He says my name as if he’s pleading with me.
“I just wanted you to think of me in them all night.” A blush crawls up his neck, and he covers his mouth while turning around and flopping face down onto my bed. I laugh the entire way to the bathroom to get dressed, replaying the way his eyes widened and the very obvious outline in his jeans. I purposefully bend over in front of him when I walk back into the room to get my boots out of the closet.
“You’re playing dirty, do you want me to combust?” he groans, turning his head to openly stare at my ass, and I wink at him over my shoulder. Garrett takes my boots from my hands when I sit on the bed, and he kneels in front of me. My mouth damn near waters just from watching his large hands work so effortlessly to lace and tie my shoes for me.
“Who is playing dirty now?” I grumble, and he raises his eyebrows.
“This is just me being a gentleman. I’m offended by your accusation, miss.” He shakes his head, running his hands up my legs as he stands, stopping to grip my thighs as he leans so close our noses nearly touch. “But if you’re going to say I’m dirty, I might as well back up those claims.”
My breath catches as I lean closer, but Garrett pulls away with a mischievous glint in his eye.
“You look incredible, by the way.” His cheerful tone is back, and I grab a pillow, launching it right at his head. Garrett easilythrows his arm out to block the puffy projectile and raises a brow at me.
“You don’t get to make me all hot and bothered, just to go back to being all cute,” I tell him over my shoulder as I walk into the bathroom. Garrett follows me, leaning on the doorframe with his arms crossed as he silently watches me work on my makeup.
“You think I’m cute,” he finally says. I roll my eyes, nearly poking one out with the mascara wand. Once I’m finally finished, I turn to him with my hands on my hips.
“Okay, all ready. What do you think?” I’m suddenly nervous as his eyes devour me, inch by inch, until they land on my face. The fishnet tights peeking through my ripped jeans won’t offer much break from the cold, and my new band tee leaves little to the imagination with how far the collar is ripped down the chest. Garrett rubs his eyes before dragging his hands over his head to brace his neck as he stares at me.
“I think turning you down for tonight was a huge mistake. You are beyond words, Maeve. Nobody will be watching the stage because their eyes will be locked on you.” He shakes his head and looks away, as if there’s more he wants to say. A soft knock at the front door interrupts us, and I check my phone.
“Jess is here!” I excitedly duck past him to run for the door.
“Don’t forget your jacket,” Garrett calls, following me to drape my jacket around my shoulders and hand me my wallet. I swing the door open, and Jess barrels into me with a squeal. “I can’t believe your parents got backstage passes again! Al said they’ll be doing a lot of local shows for the next couple weeks, and he can get us passes for those, too. You’ll get to see all six feet of Knox.” She jumps up and down while clutching my arms until she notices Garrett.
“Knox?” he asks.
“The lead singer of Within Shadows. Maeve is a little obsessed with him,” Jess taunts, wagging her eyebrows at me. I groan andshoot Garrett an apologetic grimace, but he’s just smiling at us, shaking his head.
“Can you two do me a favor and stay out of trouble? Maybe try to remember that you’re not ten feet tall and bulletproof,” he suggests. Jess frowns and turns to him.
“I’ll have you know that I am absolutely ten feet tall. I don’t have to be bulletproof as long as I pull the trigger first.” She pats her purse, where her pink handgun and sparkly taser are both nestled inside. Garrett nods appreciatively, kissing my cheek after he walks us to the car.
