Ember X (Death Collectors) - By Jessica Sorensen Page 0,35
talking about,” he says, leaning against the frame of the gazebo entrance. “I was just wondering why you said it so guilty. I know you were with me.”
“For part of the time,” I clarify, shuffling my toe in front of me. “You dropped me off around three and she wanted to know where I was between the hours of two and four.”
He gets this funny look on his face, like he might laugh. “So where were you for the extra hour? Or should I say we?”
“You don’t have to cover for me,” I tell him. “Your name just slipped out because it seemed a lot better than telling her I was up at my house with a friend that was trashed out of her mind. And I’ve been through this before and excuses like that don’t fly.”
“When your dad disappeared?”
“How do you know about that?”
His face is guarded. “People like to talk a lot around here, I’ve noticed.”
I shy away. “I’m sorry. I’ll go find the detective and tell her the truth.” I turn for the campus, but he moves around me and blocks my path.
“Last night was one of the best nights of my life,” he starts. “I have never made out so long before and the lake was beautiful, crystal clear with a bright moon setting. And Ember… she is the most amazing kisser.”
“Yeah, I think you took it one step too far on the last sentence.” I stifle a smile. “You might want to leave that part out.”
He shakes his head. “I know from this morning that the last sentence is the most truthful part of my statement.”
I touch my finger to my lips, trying not to grin. “Maybe that’s because you were inhaling to much paint fumes.”
“No way.” He challenges me with a cock of his eyebrow. “But just to make sure, I think I might need to have a refresher.” He stands up straight and coils a strand of my hair around my finger, watching for my reaction.
But I have no idea what to say or to so I change the subject. “You seriously don’t have to cover for me.” My phone rings inside my bag, but I ignore it. “I can figure out something else.”
“It’s fine,” he insists, releasing my hair. “I know you didn’t do it.”
There are no words to express my gratitude. “Thanks. I owe you big time.”
He fiddles with his eyebrow ring, looping the tip of his pinkie through it, and then pulling it out, before stuffing his hands into his pockets. Suddenly he looks nervous. “Okay, so I have to ask you something. And feel free to be completely honest with me.”
“Okay…” I wait for the moment where he tells me he was kidding and he really thinks I’m a killer.
“Hypothetically, if I were to ask you on a date, what would you say?” he asks, flicking his tongue ring against his teeth.
My heart erupts in my chest. “Well, if we were only speaking hypothetically, I’d say yes.”
The corners of his mouth quirk. “And if I wasn’t speaking hypothetically.”
“Then I’d say, I’d have to think about it.” Jesus. I’ve been spending way too much time watching Raven seduce guys.
He reaches for my messenger bag, and before I can react, he extracts my cell phone. He punches a few buttons and then leans forward to put it back into my bag, moving in closer than necessary.
He puts his mouth up to my ear. “Think about it and let me know when the hypothetical can become a reality.” He gives a soft suck on the tender spot just below my ear before leaning away.
My lips part as my breath speeds up. “Okay.”
He winks at me and then turns around, stepping off the gazebo. “I have to go to work. You have my number.”
I watch him walk across the grass, enjoying the way he moves and the numbing sensation he instills in my body, the way he silences death. When he’s out of my sight, I head across the park toward the back parking lot of the campus.
When I round the corner, I find Raven leaning against the side entrance and a guy with greasy hair and sideburns leaning over her with his hands braced on the wall. Her eyes are locked on the guy like she is a love-struck puppy. He glances in my direction and I catch sight of the X on his eye—the sleazebag from the other night.