“Yeah, got a full ride for football,” he says with a humble little shrug. “What about you?”
“I don’t think college is for me. I’m probably going to travel.”
“Back to Europe?” He seems very interested in that. In me. It’s such a nice change from Marco that I can’t help but want more of it.
“I’m considering traveling around the country with my camera. Seeing where I land.”
He stares at me, looking slightly bewildered. It’s unnerving.
“What?”
“Nothing. Sorry. I was just thinking how badass you are. I wish I could be that brave.” He stops walking again, intercepting my path. “But how brave are you, really?”
I eye him suspiciously. “What does that mean?”
“If you were truly brave, you’d go out with me tomorrow night. You want to see the country, huh? Well, why don’t you start with Starling in all its glory? I promise, I’ll take you to the sickest place in town.”
I’m not convinced. “Where is it?”
He presses his lips together, zipping them and throwing away the key. I glare at him.
“Is that a yes?” he prompts.
Several seconds tick by before I answer in a grudging tone. It’s not the most enthusiastic response, but it’s all he’s getting.
“Fine.”
thirteen
The Bridge
“You have to fill me in on everything!” Jasmine begs the next evening as I’m twirling my hair up into a claw clip in front of our bedroom mirror. “Where did he say he was taking you again?”
I shrug. “He didn’t.”
“Probably the lake. That’s where everyone goes to hook up.”
“I’m not hooking up with him.”
She flops onto her bed and rolls over to look at me. “Ha. Like you can resist.”
I don’t even want to think about that. I’m nervous enough as it is.
I stare at my reflection, feeling like an absolute fraud. How on earth is this date a good idea? I’m not hiding a few secrets; I’m concealing a whole life. Any relationship that’s based on a lie is doomed for failure, and suddenly I wish I never agreed to go out with him. There’s no way this ends well and I’m stupid for thinking it can. It’s like holding a glass bubble in my hand, watching the tiniest crack form while trying to convince myself it won’t eventually shatter.
Things always shatter.
My hands shake as I brush a few loose strands of hair back into place. Then I twist the silver ring on my finger, my nerves making me fidget, but the ring only reminds me that I’m not wearing my necklace.
“Are you going out tonight?” I ask my cousin, trying to distract myself.
“No. Con and I are staying home to put together a map.”
“A map of what?”
I instantly regretting asking when she says, “Possible burial locations.”
Shit. I was hoping she’d given up on this ridiculous mission of hers.
