Page 38 of Midnights
“Not the part you should be focusing on.”
His grin doesn’t falter, but there’s something unreadable that flashes through his eyes.
I laugh, shaking my head. “You’ll have to let us know. We’ll be expecting theroyal treatment,of course.”
Rachel suddenly turns and yells over her shoulder, “How far away is our place? I swear we should be there by now.”
She's right. It feels like we’ve been walking forever. We definitely should’ve been there already.
Good news: my phone has three percent.
Bad news:my phone has three percent.
This wouldnotbe an ideal night to be kidnapped by strange men in a foreign country while my phone gasps its last breath.
“Rach, how much battery does your phone have?” I call out, trying to sound casual despite the sinking feeling in my stomach. I hate being lost.
She spins around, grinning like we’re having the time of our lives. “Oh, I'm sure it's fully charged… back on the charger, in our room.”
I blink at her, stunned by her carefree attitude. I let out a slow breath, leveling her with a look. “Oh my God, Rachel. Who doesn't bring their phone out? What if youdidget kidnapped? How would you call for help?”
Rachel bursts into laughter, doubling over as she clutches her side. “Well, Cam here has a phone.” She giggles. “So worst case, I’d use his to call for help. You’re supposed to be the responsible one! Where’syourphone?”
That sets all of us off. I glance over at Kane, momentarily caught off guard by how the sound of his laughter makes my chest flutter. I shake it off and shoot Rachel a glare, but it has no real bite.
“You two are something else.” Cam says, shaking his head with a grin. “I think we’ll show you around after all, if only for the entertainment value.”
Rachel nudges me playfully. “See? At least one of us is prepared for anything.”
Honestly, sometimes I think we shouldn’t be left alone together.
“Okay, well, I think I remember this part of town,” I say, forcing confidence into my tone. “Let’s just keep walking for a bit. I can try to look up the address while we walk and hopefully my phone won’t die.”
Kane leans in. “So let me get this straight, you won’t let us give you a ride home, but you were going to walk home without knowing where you were going?”
I exhale sharply. “Yes, actually. And I’d appreciate it if you’d stop judging my entire existence.”
He hums, completelynotstopping his judgement.
Rachel laughs and says, “We’re bound to find it eventually. And if not, I'm sure we could find some charming gentlemen who can help us out.”
Not funny.I glance at Kane and Cam, who both seem moreamusedthan concerned. They’re definitely trouble, but hopefully not the kind we need to worry about.
Kane walks beside me, staying on the side closest to the road. A car passes, and before I can react, I feel his hand gently press against the small of my back.
It’s a casual touch, except it does something to my body. A slow treacherous warmth spreads from the spot where his fingers linger.
I should move.
But I don’t.
Instead, I keep walking, trying to ignore the way my pulse picks up and how, despite everything I know to be true about men like him… I feel safer than I should.
It’s only midnight, but honestly, I'm relieved they’re here. The thought of wandering these unfamiliar streets, in the dark, slightly buzzed and running on questionable decision-making skills? Yeah, not my brightest idea.
“Do you remember what your place was by?” Kane asks, pulling me out of my thoughts. “If you can remember any landmarks, I can probably figure out where it is."
I glance over at him, appreciating that he’s actually trying to help instead of just making fun of me.
