Page 76 of Hell House
“Nah man, this sandwich is more than enough for me thanks.” He flicks his eyes over me, a hint of anger laying behind his emerald stare. The intensity of his gaze reminded me how he’d looked at me as he came inside of me. Desperate and angry. I find myself clenching and it’s like he can sense his affect on me, lifting his mouth up into a smirk before he takes his mountain of a sandwich up to our room. I blow out a breath once he’s gone wondering how I’m going to share a room with a man that drove me crazy while feeling equally attracted to the gorgeous chef in front of me.
Graham hands me a spoon and gift him a small, tired smile. Maybe tomorrow would be a better day and I’d magically have the answers I was looking for.
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
Salem
Between Pierce, Walker, and Skye’s endless hovering I slowly start to heal. Even Emmet has been making sure to pop in on me when one of those three aren’t glued to my side. I learned that Emmet’s dad is hot as fuck though when he’d FaceTimed while dropping off some food to my room. That apple did not stray far from the tree. I found myself blushing like an idiot when Emmet swung the phone camera on me to say hi at his Dad’s insistence. I about died inside, especially since I hadn’t brushed my hair yet and was pretty sure I was sporting a pillow crease on my face.
The doctor cleared me and assured me and Pierce, who had accompanied me to the appointment, that I was healing nicely. I swear they had all tried to act like I was an invalid or something. Thankfully, they realized I was okay after we were able to remove the bandages earlier this week. My skin was still a little puckered, but it looked a thousand times better than when they’d first stitched me up like I was the bride of Frankenstein.
We didn’t have any answers on who had attacked me, which made me uneasy. I was constantly kept company on my way to and from classes, which I felt was a bit overboard. It could have easily been what the nursing staff said it was. Just an unfortunate run in with some sharp branches, and maybe my mind got carried away. Otherwise, what else could it possibly have been? The guys insisted that they hadn’t seen anything, and by the way they were helping me it didn’t match up with someone who wanted to cause me harm.
The house was busy being decorated for the Halloween party happening this Saturday and I was ready to let loose. The theme was to dress up like a celebrity, dead or alive, but I didn’t have a clue who I wanted to be. I’d show up looking hot, ready to have a good time. I was finally off my pain meds and wanting to throw back drinks until I was good and buzzed. If my blood was more alcohol than blood, so much the better.
I place the headphones Walker had leant me over my ears, cueing up some music so I could work on my homework. For some reason I seemed to focus better with a little something in the background. It seemed like everything between the guys and I had been put on pause while I healed. They damn sure were attentive, but they’d left me feeling pent up with desire, especially when they flashed their muscles around. Walker had a habit of wearing muscle t’s that showed off his biceps in a way that made me feral. All Pierce had to do was look at me for me to remember just how good he could use that mouth. I wondered if he could use other parts just as good. I let the beats drum steadily in my ears, whenSex and Candyshows up in my shuffle, transporting me to that night at the bar.
God, singing with Walker was like someone had pulled out my deepest, most hidden desire and made it come to life. I had never told anyone how much I wish I could be a singer. Walker and I had that in common, where our families would never approve of our dreams. I’d kept it buried. Shoved away in a tiny box never to be made a possibility, until he asked me to join them on stage. It was expected of me to get this business degree and come back to Massachusetts, putting those skills to use.
“Hey, wildcat.” The man himself walks in, his dark hair curling at the nape wet with a recent shower. I track the drop of water that dives down his neck, while taking off the headphones.
“Hey.” I smile up at him. He always managed to make me feel better just by being near him.
“How are you feeling?” He drops down next to me, looking at my back dragging his calloused fingers across my skin, careful to avoid my scratches.
“Much better, so you can stop treating me like I’m going to break at any second.”
“We have been doing that haven’t we?” I nod arching my eyebrow.
“Hey, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Yeah?”
“Why is the band called the Hateful Hydras?”
He palms my thigh, the heat seeping up my leg like he just set me on fire. “Well, I chose it because when a hydra gets cut down, they come back twice as strong.”
“I love that.” I say wholeheartedly. Walker tended to allow few people into his life. He was quiet around most, but he was incredibly funny when he let himself relax. Still there was an undercurrent of rage that clung to him in a way that told me that he’d been hurt.
“So, who are you dressing up as?”
“I haven’t decided, but whatever I wear I want to look hot.”
“No problem there.” He says, locking his gaze on my bottom lip. He leans forward making my heart speed up. I lick my lips in anticipation. He catches the movement and seems to wake up from whatever spell he was under pulling himself back and crumbling my hope with him.
He stands, granting me an awkward wave before leaving me with an ache deep in my stomach. I didn’t even get to ask him what he was going as.
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
Skye
I’m a sweaty mess from hanging decorations all day. I was able to snag a vintage looking white dress for my costume on a quick shopping trip to town with Javelynn earlier. Salem was almost back to feeling like herself, and I knew we both needed a night to blow off some steam. My stomach had been nothing but a ball of anxiety over Professor Whitelsbee’s constant disapproval and Lukas’s intoxicating presence. I’d been able to avoid Lukas for the most part, except at night when I listened to his deep snores. Seriously, that man needed a sleep study done to see if they could fix that. Or perhaps just muzzle it with an apnea machine.
“Need some help?” Sloan extends his hand as I climb down the step ladder.
“Thanks.” I say brightly taking his hand for stability.
“Hey. Package for Salem.” Emmet says carrying a box in. “She up?”
