Page 19

“I’m not a freak. He makes me feel alive. Like… like a constant adrenaline rush.”

My friends all giggle at each other, as if they know something I don’t. I stare at them, confused. Harmony speaks up first.

“Well…. I hate to burst your bubble, but that feeling that you get isn’t adrenaline…”

The harsh reality hits me like the mist from a waterfall, and I am standing at the edge. It’s not an adrenaline rush. He turns me on. My flesh burns from the embarrassment.

“It’s okay. Everyone has their own thing, you know?” Amara grins at me sweetly.

I nod my head.

“Yeah, Ev. If he is good to you, then go for it,” Harmony joins in. Astra, however, stays silent.

“Where did you get that necklace?”

I should have known she would notice. Astra is always attentive to detail.

“Um.. he.. gave it to me,” I admit.

“Are you sure about him, Ev?” Astra continues to question me, making me doubt myself. I know she cares about me and wants to protect me, but I answer truthfully.

“I don’t know… but I’ll never know if I don’t try.”

She nods to herself and takes a small sip from her water.

“Excuse me, ladies, am I interrupting something?”

We all look up, not expecting anyone else to join us. It’s Lucien.

“Hey babe, I didn’t know you were coming out today, I thought you had to work?”

“Work is canceled, and what better way to spend my evening than with you?” He winks at Astra. She’s putty in his hands.

“Hey, Evelyn, I think someone is out front to see you. He’s driving the Aston Martin.” He smirks at me and nods towards the door.

“I’ll go see who it is,” I say to Astra, sliding out of the booth.

“Ev, be careful. Please.” I nod in her direction and head for the door.

I step outside and see the car parked directly in front of the doors.

I step up to the passenger door, and the driver’s side door opens. It’s him, still wearing a goddamn mask. He opens my door for me, and I slide into his car willingly. I have never acted on my forbidden desires before, but if I don’t act on this one, I might regret it. After all, I always have the option to run. He won’t always be there to catch me. Like he said, this is his game. I’m just trying to learn the rules.

* **

I sit in the passenger seat, staring at the man across from me. He wears his mask, and I want to ask him to take it off. I want to know who he is. I had many chances to ask him before, but putting a face to him makes him real. I wanted nothing more than for him not to be real, but now I need to know it’s real.

“Will you take off your mask?”

“No.” The word is clipped, as if he is about to snap.

“Why not?”

He doesn’t say anything. He shifts the car into drive as we leave the parking lot.

“Will you at least tell me where we are going?” I cross my arms in front of my chest. I feel incredibly anxious about this entire situation. I feel disgust creeping its way into my pores already. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be entertaining him like this, but I am.

“You’ll see.”