Page 18 of The Attack Zone

I scroll back to see what I missed.

Caleb: Hazel needs to go to bed, we’re heading out.

Hazel: I loveeee yob guix sp mivh

I let out a little laugh at Hazel’s lightweighted-ness.

“Everything okay?” Mitch asks, his hands still on my shoulders. He probably doesn’t even realize he’s started massaging me lightly with his thumbs.

“Yeah, they went back to the hotel,” I say. “I’ll just have to call and wake Hazel to get into our room because I don’t have my key or anything.”

“Should we head out?” His hands are at his sides now.

“I guess we should,” I pause. “One more song?”

That smirk is back, and he nods, but his hands stay by his sides.

This time we aren’t touching as we bounce along to the beat. I guess the moment—or whatever the hell that was—is over. I do my best to not feel distracted by the growing ache in my chest and try to talk myself down.

I can’tactuallywantMitch Greggs. That would be insane.

That’s all this was.

A moment of insanity.

Or I’m a masochist.

One of the two, definitely.

Before I know it, the song has wrapped up and Mitch is guiding me through the bar and out the door. His hand is resting at the base of my spine as he weaves us through the crowd, and I hate that I like it. Hating it would make so much more sense, even if I’ve thought of his hands on me on a few occasions. But I’m always able to keep it togetherin person, so I honestly don’t know what’s going on with me.

We arrive back at the hotel after a normal-for-us walk. No bickering this time, but no grinding or staring at each other’s lips either. I’ll take that as a win, I think?

I pull out my phone and dial Hazel. It immediately goes to voicemail.

Again.

And again.

Her phone is on Do Not Disturb.

“Shit,” I mumble to myself.

“What’s wrong?” Mitch asks.

“Hazel isn’t answering,” I say.

“Can’t we just go knock on the door?” he says.

I look down, avoiding his gaze.

“You don’t know the room number, do you?” he continues.

I do not.

“No! I just ...” I start.

“Love ...” He looks down at me.