Page 14 of The Wallflower

My chest is tight as I stare out at the dark trees. Fuck, this could be dangerous… What if there are coyotes, or bears, or shit...the tall jock looking at me like I'm his next meal?

Maybe this is a bad idea.

I'm about to suggest we leave when Jackie grabs my arm. "I'm so excited. Even if I don't bag Sebastian, there are a lot of hunters...I hope at least some of them have an imagination."

"You don't want to win the money?"

She laughs, then sees my face and sobers. "Sorry, I don't care about it… But if I get close, I'll try for you and your mom, okay?"

Mollified, I nod and stare at the other participants, all overcome with excitement. I feel like the only downer here. It can't be that bad if these people are so excited and ready to do this, right?

I stare down at my shaky hands. Shit. I need to get myself together. Jackie grabs my hands and stares up into my eyes. "Hey, hey, it's okay. You don't have to do this if you don't want to. Go sit in the car, or come back and get me."

I gulp and shake my head, fending off tears. "No, I have to do this for my mom."

She nods and squeezes my fingers. "Well, if you're sure. Try to relax. It's just a game. I promise you'll have a blast."

Not sure she knows what I consider a blast, but I don't want to bring down the mood even more.

There's some shuffling as the men join another group of men and a couple of women off to the side.

I wave at the group. "What are they doing? Planning their stock exchange heist?"

She rolls her eyes. "Those are the hunters. They give the runners a fifteen-minute head start to make it more fun for them, I guess...give us a chance to get away."

Oh, I didn't know that. If I can sprint this thing, maybe I'll have a chance. I haven't run in years, but hey...I can try. Ihaveto try.

I bounce on my feet for a second and try to stretch my legs a bit. My muscles protest, but I ignore the light pain and continue until that man, Sebastian, steps up again.

"Is everyone ready?"

My heart suddenly crowds my throat, and I can't breathe.

He smiles, cruel and cutting. “Set..."

He throws up his hands. "GO!"

As I race toward the tree line with the pack, all I can think about is what the hell did I get myself into?

I risk one glance back to see the jock, Andrew, staring after me.

Fuck.

CHAPTER 5

DREW

There'sa tension in the air that I can barely breathe through. My bones vibrate, and my skin, every sense, is on fire. I'm attuned to the footfalls heading into the forest. The sound of the wind in the trees, all of it. An elbow catches my ribs, and I jerk in surprise. Lee stares at me, one eyebrow cocked. "You seem on edge, man. You okay?"

I roll my shoulders back, stretching the fleece of my jacket. "Yes, fine. We've all been on edge waiting for this. I found myself a prize, and I plan to claim her. I can already taste her."

The light is fading fast, and the small crowd near The Mill grows restless. We're all ready for our jet into the woods. Peering through the trees, we can see a few brave souls lingering, choosing not to run. Easy pickings for anyone not looking for a chase.

I can't wait to run down my quarry and hear her scream in fright as she runs and then my name when I finally catch her. Well, maybe, if I don't gag her first… Depends on how much of a fight she puts up.

I shift from foot to foot, staring into the trees. It's easy to know where she's headed. Of all the bunnies running throughthe forest today, she's likely the only one in it for the actual prize. And the one with the least chance of actually reaching it.

The guys gather up, the few women who enjoy the hunt, too. Sebastian steps in front of us and grins wickedly. "Gentlemen...and ladies…" He dips his head toward Lindsey and Sasha. "Are you ready to find your prize?"

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