Page 301 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
“We’re in,” I say before I change my mind.
Breaking the rules, not my thing.
Breaking the law, it’s usually a hard no.
But who’s going to stop us?
I feel Hart’s hand on the small of my back, and the heat stirs my insides, reminding me of all the naughty things we did this afternoon. We cross that invisible line.
Josie smiles, a spark of triumph in her eyes. “Couples take the exit. Singles take the entrance.” When no one moves, she adds. “Also, I was told that security will chase us, tackle us to the ground, and charge us if they find us trespassing, so when you finish, sneak out, and we’ll meet by the gate we came in.”
“Josie!” Hannah hisses, but low as her head surveys the area.
Josie presses her fingers to her lips. “Shhh. They were on rotation, but you guys took so long deciding, I’m sure they’re back on patrol now.”
Hannah stomps to the entrance, mumbling, “I can’t believe we’re about to break a bunch of laws over a hay maze.”
“It’s a bucket list challenge and therefore very important.” Josie waves the flashlight dramatically. “Ready?”
“Not at all,” Hannah mutters.
“On your marks,” Josie continues. “Get set...and...go!”
The night comes alive as the group splits in two directions, scattering like marbles on a tile floor. Josie, Hannah, Bronx, Wyatt, and Natalie bolt toward the exit, laughing and quietly shouting in the dark.
“Losers buy donuts in the morning.” Dean turns, cupping his mouth, and Harper yanks his jacket.
“There’s no time for trash talk,” she says.
“Make it two dozen!” Bronx doesn’t slow, charging toward the exit like kids let out for recess. “You’re going down.”
“Not a chance,” Hart shoots back.
I laugh. “Grumpy Hart laughing and having fun. Plot twist.”
His hand finds mine, fingers sliding between mine, and a rush of warmth spreads through me, knowing this is my person.
“Looks like you’re rubbing off on me.”
“Have you met me? I’m the opposite of fun.”
“Maybe together we’ll tear this maze up and have a blast doing it.” He flashes me a grin I can barely see in the moonlight.
“This is definitely a terrible idea.” And exciting and wild and illegal.
A noise breaks the silence, and I turn my head to catch a shadow moving.
Security.
I smack Hart’s arm and point at the silhouette. In a flash, we’re running, and he herds us all past the threshold and into the blackened mouth of the maze. We don’t stop running until we’re breathless around the first corner.
I press my back to the cool side of a hay bale, trying to stifle the laugh that’s bubbling up my throat.
The familiar smell of chopped hay fills my nostrils, and darkness wraps around us like we’ve stepped into a cave. The night presses thick between the hay walls. My eyes fight to adjust slowly, and outlines start to form: his shoulders, the ground, and the curve of the next corner.
My hand is caught up in Hart’s.
Warm.
