Page 32 of Racing Hearts

I can’t help but reread the text for the millionth time. What does he mean? Don’t give up? Don’t stop chasing him? Fuck, he couldn’t have explained? No.

I have to admit that when my phone went off last night as I was lying in bed and the delivered notification popped up, followed by the read receipts showing he’d read all my messages, I felt a sick sense of satisfaction.

He unblocked me and reached out first.

Whether Alek Anders knows it or not, he doesn’t want to let me go, which only makes me more confused and pissed off.

Dropping my phone to the library desk without replying, I bury my head in my hands. I’ve been distracted all day, which doesn’t bode well for me. I have assignments due that are worth a good percentage of my grade. I need to focus on my work, on my friends, on the things that bring me happiness . . .

All I can think about is Alek Anders and the flurry of emotions he causes inside me. It’s eight at night, and I’ve been staring at the same essay question for four hours. Giving up for the night, I start to pack up when my phone buzzes again.

I’m ashamed of how fast I snatch it up, hope blooming in my chest, only to deflate when I realize it isn’t him.

Unknown: Tonight, 9PM. Meet behind the library.

Huh? I look up and around before peering back at my phone just as another message comes through.

Unknown: You didn’t forget about us, did you, newbie? You’re one of us. It’s time for your first meeting.

It has to be Silent Rose.

Oh, well, I mean I kind of did forget about the whole secret society thing, especially since I haven’t heard or seen anything after I was kidnapped and inducted. I figured it was like a one-time thing. Apparently not. It’s just what I need though, a distraction, something not tainted by Alek Anders.

This is all mine and has nothing to do with him.

It’s normal. It’s college—well, maybe not normal, but it’s college and what I should be doing.

Evan: See you then.

Finishing packing my bag, I head out to wait since there is no point in hanging around. The library is huge, so it takes me a little while to get through the old building. Once I stand outside the well-lit front, I shove my hands into my pockets and look around. There are students milling about, and I watch them for a moment before walking off the path, onto the grass, and around the building. There’s a gate at the side, but it is unlocked despite the sign saying “No trespassing.” The creak of the hinges is loud away from the hustle and bustle here, and I shut it behind me, almost jumping when a lock falls into place.

Okay, not creepy at all.

Shrugging it off, I carry on, my sneakers sinking into the slightly wet grass as I round the building to the back, where the campus lights don’t reach. It’s dim back here, almost too dark to see until my eyes adjust.

The bushes and flowers continue against the building, and I follow them until I reach the back of it. I scan the area. There isn’t much, just some trees and grass stretching across to the other buildings on the other side. There’s also a garbage center to the right against a metal fence, but the rest is too dark to see, so with nothing else to do, I wait.

I bounce on my toes nervously as I check the time on my phone. It’s almost nine, and I start to worry. Looking around once, I search for signs of anyone, a creepy feeling building within me. What if this isn’t them? What if it’s a setup or something?

Biting my lower lip, I tell myself if no one is here in another ten minutes, I’ll leave and pretend I never came.

Five minutes pass, and I pick my bag up, ready to leave. “I knew it was a setup,” I mutter.

“Why would we be setting you up?” a voice calls, and my head jerks up as Liam materializes seemingly out of nowhere. “Evan?” he asks with a frown.

I shrug halfheartedly, deflating. I guess you can take the boy out of the small town, but not the small town out of the boy. How many times did I agree to go out with someone only for it to be a trap? I have to remind myself that this isn’t the same place, and they aren’t those small-minded assholes.

I’m one of them. I’m part of something.

All the cloak and dagger stuff is kind of fun when you’re not worried about being killed. “So it’s just us?” I finally respond.

Chuckling, he slings his arm across my shoulders and steers me over the grass. “Nah, everyone else is already here. Sorry I’m late. I was at practice and the coach made us run laps.”

“No worries.” I let him lead me farther still. “Um, where are we going?”

“You’ll see,” is all he says as he grins down at me, far too happy that we are venturing off into the dark, but oh well. If I die tonight, at least it will be a good story.

I mean, “you’ll see” is definitely what a weirdo serial killer says right before they throw you in their dungeon with lotion to make a skin coat out of you. I do have very nice skin, but still, I would be a very bad prisoner. I’m too needy, but I bet I could get some good naps in. Plus, I do like red flags, and a guy going to that much effort to get your attention?