Page 51 of Between Secrets and Obsession

The first moment we met.

The night we were unexpectedly reunited.

The countless times we’ve hung out, teased, and gave each other shit.

The way her lips tasted when we kissed on her twenty-first birthday.

Last week when she recited almost every line from that Patrick Swayze movie.

Fuck.

This will destroy her.

I keep my eyes closed and hear him unlatch the safety.

Counting the seconds, I wait and wonder what they’ll do with my body.

Probably toss it in a dumpster.

Funny how morbid your thoughts turn when you know your life is about to end.

I hear footsteps closing in on me, inch by inch. The cool barrel touches my forehead, and I inhale sharply.

The door whips open, and collective gasps overcome my senses. “Wait!”

Victoria?

CHAPTER TEN

MADDIE

CelebratingHunter and Lennon’s wedding in Utah was a blast, and I’m sad it was only for the weekend, but I told my parents I’d go back and visit during one of my school breaks. Being back home with my family brought so many great memories to the surface while creating new ones.

It’s still hard to believe Lennon ismarried. Sophie will have her wedding, then get pregnant, and I’ll be Auntie Maddie, the cat lady, who’ll be single forever.

Hmm…maybe I’ll get a Sphynx and name her Virgin.

Virgin, the hairless pussy.

Okay, so the name is still a work in progress, but the concept is still the same.

Dancing with Liam under the glittering lights was far more romantic than it should’ve been. I know not to expect anything from him that’s outside the friendship zone he’s established, but the way he held me and how our bodies moved together had my mind wandering to places it shouldn’t have.

He’d been attached to my hip since we left, and though I enjoyed the closeness, things abruptly changed the moment we got home. Liam did a load of laundry, repacked his bag, thenflew out the next day. He claims it’s for a job, but I saw the email reminder on his unlocked phone when he walked away to grab a beer. I’d say I didn’t mean to snoop, but I absolutely did. Something’s up, and I’m determined to find out what the hell he’s hiding.

Liam’s flight notification was for Vegas. We suspect he’s traveling so much to gamble, but I’m worried there’s more to this than playing slots. He’s tenser than usual and drinking more. When we’re in public, he doesn’t take his eyes off me unless it’s to scan the area. Honestly, it’s unnerving.

Sophie picked me up from school, and after Mason got home, they made dinner, and we ate together. The moment I started a movie, those two party poopers bailed, claiming exhaustion, but I know what it’s code for.

Their loss. “Step Up” is one of the greatest dance movies ever. I’ve seen all the movies in the series dozens of times, but the first one is my favorite.

Just as the final dance begins, I hear the familiar sounds of Liam’s truck, and a moment later, the front door whips open.Finally. He left two days ago, and I was starting to wonder when he’d be back.

“Liam, quick. This is the best part!” I steal a glance over my shoulder before focusing back on the screen.

He shuffles over, dropping his bag, and plops down next to me.

“What is it?” he asks, his voice gruff with exhaustion.