Page 240 of Midnights
Me: Can you be here in the morning? We need to talk. Something’s not adding up.
The screen goes dark, but my thoughts refuse to settle. I shove back from the desk, and tonight, I can feel the silence of the house pressing in as I make my way to my room. Each step feels like a countdown to something I can’t see.
Something isn’t adding up.
Chapter 40
I’m Sorry What?
Raven
Iclose the door behind me, leaning against it as I exhale slowly. My heart is still racing, and not just from what happened with Kane, but from everything else that’s been thrown at me lately.
A small laugh escapes before I can stop it. The absurdity of it all hits me like a bus.
I press my fingers to my lips, still tingling from the memory of his kiss.God, that kiss.That kiss is going to haunt me in the best and worst ways. It’s burned into my bones, and I hate how much I’m not fighting it anymore.
Kane is…intoxicating. It’s not just his stupidly perfect body or that lethal smile.
Normally, I’d flip out on anyone trying to boss me around. Hell, I’d make them regret it. But with him, it’s different. It’s like he’s rewired my brain without my permission, and I can’t decide if I want to slap him or drag him back for another round. Maybe both.Probably both.
I was so adamant about swearing off men, so determined to declare my independence like some crusader for emotional freedom. And yet, Kane walks in and makes me question everything with a single glance. A single touch.How did I let it get this far?
But, of course, the moment of bliss can’t last. My smile fades, replaced by the unease that’s been creeping in since the light situation. The heat in my hands… the timing… could I have caused it? Is that even possible?
I push off the door and pace the room, running my fingers through my hair. It’s ridiculous. I’ve never done anything like that before.Obviously.But the memory keeps looping in my mind, tugging at the edges of my resolve. My stomach twists at the idea that I might be connected to whatever the hell is happening around me.
No. I need answers.
I grab my phone, quickly dialing Rachel’s number, as I wait for her to pick up. It only rings twice before her familiar voice comes through. “Hey girl!” she yawns.
“Hey,” I try to keep my voice calm even though my emotions are all over the place. “You busy?”
“I miss you too, depends. Are we talkingemergency level gossiporI need to hide a body?” Her tone shifts and she sounds more alert now. At least I can count on her unflinching loyalty.
“Somewhere between those two.” I drop onto the edge of the bed, pressing my free hand to my forehead. “I think I might be losing my mind, and I need you to tell me I’m not.”
She snorts. “You’ve always been crazy, babe. But tell me what’s up, and I’ll be the judge of what level we’re talking.”
“Well, tonight at Kane’s—” is as far as I get.
“Iknewit! Oh my God, tell me…His dick is huge, isn’t it? And if you say he didn't wrap his big ass hands around your throat, I swear you're lying. He oozes choke-you energy.”
“Rachel, seriously?” I groan, rolling my eyes even though I can’t fight the smile tugging at my lips. “He’s hot and Imightlike him, but that’s not why I'm calling.” I take a breath. “We were talking, and one of his guys came in to tell him that every single light outside shattered. Like, all of them. At once.”
Rachel’s tone turns serious. “Okay, that sounds insane… but I don’t think you’re imagining things. Maybe Kane likes you, you like him, and the lights exploded because of all the sexual tension. I knew I was onto something that first night there.”
“This is not about Kane,” I sigh and wait for her to be done laughing.I will not choose violence today.I deliberately left out the library, the kiss, and… everything else. Not because I don’t trust her, but because saying it out loud would make it even harder to ignore the mess I’m making.
There’s a brief pause on her end, and I can practically hear her opening her mouth, deciding against it, and then changing her mind again. The silence stretches just long enough to make me nervous before she suddenly bursts out laughing again.
“Bitch, it’s about time you woke the fuck up!” Her voice practically crackles with amusement. “I love you, but Kane has been drooling over you since you verbally assaulted him in the bar.”
I open my mouth to respond, but she steamrolls right over me. “Please tell me you fucked that God of a man. Because I’m telling you, if you haven’t—”
“Rachel!” I screech, my voice high enough to wake the dead. “Do not finish that sentence!”
She’s laughing so hard I can barely understand her, and despite myself, I start laughing, too. It feels good, even if I’m mostly laughing at how stupid we sound.
