Page 305 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
He smirks. “I did see plenty of abandoned barns during our adventure.” His lips brush mine. “Each barn we passed reminded me of the second part. A part I pushed out of my mind because I never thought it would come true.”
“All the more reason to see it through.”
“Sort of like the hay bales challenge.” His voice dips low, like he’s ready to fuck me right here.
My pulse pounds at the thought.
“There you guys are.” Dean huffs behind us. “I’m not about to let the barbecue asshole who thinks his meat is better than mine win. Let’s go. You already fucked me at horseshoes. Chop-chop.” He claps his hands.
“Does he hear himself?” I ask Hart. “Like, does he really hear the choice words he uses?”
Hart bellows in laughter. “He doesn’t.”
The night stretches on, and Dean’s determination has us picking up speed every time we take a wrong twist or turn. Every corner looks the same, narrow, dark, and endless. My lungs burn.
Voices rise close. Bronx is yelling, and Josie is shushing him.
“Over here.” Dean guides us down a side path. “Shortcut.”
“How do you know?” Hart asks.
“I don’t.”
We laugh so hard I almost pee myself.
“Brilliant strategy,” Harper says.
“From the woman who tried to tackle a scarecrow and lost.”
Another turn—wrong again. Dead end. Then that scarecrow. Again.
We all groan, breathless and laughing.
“Okay, y’all, we’ve passed that stupid scarecrow three times,” I whisper-yell. “He’s taunting us now.”
“I think he winked at me.” Harper clings to Dean’s arm.
“We’re walking in circles.” Hart is right behind me, so close, I feel his heat.
Some far-off sounds of the other group screaming pierce us.
“I have an idea.” Hart moves in front of me. “I’m gonna hoist Jade up. Maybe she can find the exit.”
Me?
Up there?
On him?
“Ooh! Yes! Shoulder view.” I punch his shoulder in my excitement. “Gimme that height.”
But inside, I’m in a whole meltdown zone.
Heart racing.
Palms sweating.
Zero chill.
