King gets an evil glint in his eyes, and I groan. “No. No, we can't fuck this up. She's already skeptical of Dom messaging her.”
King scoffs and rolls his eyes. “You're no fun anymore, Carter,” he grumbles and walks toward the bedroom door. “I'm hungry. Gonna go raid the kitchen.” I watch as he leaves, then turn my attention back to the phone. Gracie has probably been staring at bubbles for five minutes now.
Dom: I know you don't remember me, but we used to be friends. Things at school aren't what they seem. Can we get together and talk? Tomorrow?
The bathroom door opens, and I toss Dom his phone. He almost drops it as he clutches the towel wrapped around his waist. He scans what I wrote and nods. He has bags under his eyes, and I can see he removed his contacts.
“I haven't seen you wear glasses in years,” I comment, and he sighs.
“I dropped one of my lenses and can't find it. I'll have to swing by and get some more after school on Monday. Doctor will probably order me an eye exam too.”
King returns with his arms full of random shit, and Dom raises an eyebrow. “Does the kitchen look like a raccoon invaded it? Why do you have a loaf of bread and ketchup?”
King drops the stuff on Dom's desk and runs his fingers through his hair. “Well, some of us didn't grow up eating fancy food. We had ketchup sandwiches when we needed a snack,” he grumbles before ripping into a cucumber. The juice runs down his chin, and I glance at Dom.
He looks deep in thought, then sighs and walks to his dresser for some clothes.
“I think my mom planned to use that for a salad tomorrow. We have that picnic after church. How about I order pizza and wings?”
King mumbles, “Sorry,” spitting out some pieces of cucumber, and I frown.
“I say we ditch church tomorrow and see if we can get Gracie to go somewhere with us. Before Ash gets back, I think we need some answers.”
“She has amnesia, Carter. How do you suggest we get her to reveal things that no one else has been able to?”
I think for a minute, then smile. “I know the perfect spot.”
* * *
Gracie never textedus back until this morning. It took a lot of convincing to even get the guys to agree to this, but I think it will help.
I read somewhere that to jog a memory, you sometimes have to go back to the scene of the accident.
“I still think this is fucked up. She might not remember, but I sure as hell do. That night will always haunt me,” Dom grumbles from the driver's seat.
I nod in agreement. Ash’s panic, all the police, ambulances, and people screaming and crying. What was meant to be a fun party turned into a horror movie.
We just pulled up to the Roses’ house, so I take a deep breath, then open the back door. My hands are shaking, and I almost want to laugh at how nervous I am.
It's not like this is a fucking date or anything. We're just hanging out and hopefully getting some long-deserved answers.
I reach the porch and stomp up the steps. I don't even have to knock on the door. It swings open, and Gracie is standing there looking nervous. Not that I blame her.
“Hey, ready to go?” I ask softly. I don't want to spook her. She looks down and twists her fingers in her black hoodie. One I actually recognize. It belonged to Ash.
“Yeah, I'm still not sure why you wanted to hang out or what I can even help you with, but sure,” she mumbles, then shakes her blonde hair.
The air smells like peaches, and my mouth waters, not to mention my cock decides to wake up. Fuck, this isn't good.
“Are you okay? You seem like you are either in pain or going to be sick?” she asks, looking me over closely. I nod and turn before moving quickly over to Dom's Escalade.
I open the back door for her and use it to hide my obvious erection. She hesitates to get in, so I wait.
Dom gives her a smile, and King makes a joke. She laughs and takes a breath before climbing in.
“Are you coming?” Dom asks me. I grunt, then fix myself discreetly and shut her door.
“You good?” Dom asks once I'm back in the passenger seat and buckling up.