Page 241 of Satan's Spawn

“You can, because I’ll be here to remind you every day.”

Crayton looks down, a glimmer of hope relaxing the muscles of his face, bringing out these boyish features I never knew existed. “You promise?”

I don’t know what’s sadder, the fact he has to ask or the fact it sounds like he doesn’t think he deserves it.

“I’m not going anywhere, Crayton. It’s you and me…through hell and high water.”

“Hell and high water, huh.” He chuckles. “Sure does sound like us.”

Crayton’s fingers scratching his neck feeds my already brimming curiosity.

I reach for the last bag of peanuts and pop a few in my mouth. “So, tell me, when did you join the Church of Satan?” I refer to the stupid tattoo on his neck.

He grins, swiping the bag from me to pour some into his. “I won’t lie—I considered it to spite my mother, but any organized religion, even the one with Satan in the title, reminded me too much of her. The emblem, though?”—he pulls his shirt down to reveal those friendly eyes—“now this shit is badass.”

“A goat? Seriously?”

He shrugs. “Fine. I may have developed the attraction when I was a bottle deep in whiskey, but I feel like it fits my personality.”

I snatch the bag back and help myself to more sugary goodness. “Especially when it comes to stubbornness.”

Crayton’s smile turns devilish before reaching over the console, digging his hands into all parts of my waist, tickling me until I nearly choke on peanuts.

“Stop!” I scream through a giggle, throwing the entire bag his way.

Probably not the best idea since he looks absolutely appalled by the mess it makes.

And I don’t mean on his t-shirt.

“You got this shit all over my fucking car!” He shouts, but it’s mostly playful.

“I sure did,” I throw a stray peanut at him. “So what are you gonna do about it, Shaw?”

Crayton’s eyes squint. “That a challenge, Dawson?”

I purse my lips. “Maybe it is.”

Crayton seems riveted by the idea, and begins counting down from ten. Exactly how he does every time we’re caught up in tit-for-tats.

Tossing me my coat from the back when he reaches five, Crayton brings himself closer, not stopping until his warm breath tickles my lips. With a devious smile, he stretches an arm past me to click the door unlocked. “Then you better get moving.”

With a quick kiss, I swing the door open and jump out, wrestling my coat on as I race down to the piers.

It’s such a familiar feeling running away from him this way, except this time, when I sense Crayton’s presence approaching behind me, the only fear I have is ever losing him.

* * *

“I’m not doing this. Nope.”Hendrix shakes her head vigorously, tossing the box of dye onto my bed.

I throw my hands up in exhaustion, since we’ve been going at this for an hour now. “Why the hell not?”

“Because you will be destroying a head of hair most girls pay thousands of dollars to achieve!” She crosses her arms. “And for what? Crayton already said your appearance doesn’t bother him anymore.”

She clearly doesn’t get it.

No matter how much Crayton has been trying to convince me all week, even as we all celebrated the new year, I still don’t believe him…and I can’t help but feel disgusted with myself knowing I look so much like a woman who hurt him. Who molested him.

Who…