Page 239 of Stay Scared

“I told you.”

“You did.”

I touch two fingers to the rolled edge of his sleeve.

“And you left the property because you wanted to.”

Ash looks down at my hand.

“I am attempting to improve certain habits.”

“That sounds suspiciously healthy.”

“Do not insult me.”

I laugh again.

His gaze returns to my face.

For a second, neither of us says anything.

Then Ash asks, “Did you miss me when you were laughing at me?”

The question has none of the Voice in it.

“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I did.”

His expression changes.

Cade makes an impatient noise from somewhere around the corner.

I raise my voice. “You can come back now.”

“Finally.”

Owen says something too low to make out.

Ash remains in front of me while their footsteps approach.

I lower my voice again.

“I still have the key.”

“I know.”

“And you still cannot whistle.”

His eyes narrow.

That is the Ash I missed.

I smile as Cade and Owen return.

Ash closes the remaining distance. Cade keeps his hand on my hip while Owen holds his ground on my other side.

For a second, the old competition returns so fast I can almost taste it.

Ash looks at Cade’s fingers, then at my face. “You came back, and he put his hands on you immediately.”