Whispered Darkness by Jessica Sorensen Page 0,24

parents see it, they’ll probably figure out I’m here.”

“You can just park it down the road beside the park,” she suggests.

That’s when it hits me—how much she wants me to stay. In fact, I can feel it, spinning through my veins. So, I find myself nodding, despite how apprehensive I feel about it. “Okay. Let me go move my car.” I start to back away, and she holds on to my pinkie until I’m too far away. Then she offers me a small smile and turns around, opening her window and climbing inside.

I wait until she’s in and has the window closed before I turn around and jog to my car. Then I drive to the park, park my car, lock it, and start the short walk back to Harlynn’s house. I try to stay to the shadows, knowing if the wrong person sees me, they’ll probably call the police. Not that I won’t have a way out of it. While I’m working as an informant, I have connections at the police station that keep me mostly out of getting in trouble. But I’m also supposed to be at a party tonight, working as an informant. Porter took over for me when Harlynn showed up.

Deciding I should check in on him, I dig out my phone.

Me: How’s everything going?

Porter: Well, your brother cornered me earlier and was having a shitfit about you taking off with Harlynn, but other than that, things are just peachy.

I sigh heavily, wondering if there will ever be a time when Foster won’t be affecting every aspect of my life.

Me: Is he still at the party? Did you look into what him and Grey were even doing there?

Porter: Working on that now. They left, like, fifteen minutes after you did. I’m not sure where they went, and I was going to follow them but got sidetracked by some dude I saw dropping a pill into a girl’s drink. I put a stop to it and everything, and then scared the guy shitless. Trying to get information out of him, like where he got the drugs, but he said he couldn’t remember. Not sure if he’s lying. Probably, because, how wouldn’t he know?

Me: I’m not sure, other than maybe he was drugged when he got the drugs.

Porter: That’s fucking weird.

I can’t help thinking about all the strange stuff that Harlynn told me about tonight. How could I not believe her when I could feel the truth of her words whispering in my veins.

Me: Don’t discount any theories yet. We need to disapprove any of them before we do.

Porter: Whatever. I’ll try to find out more. Where are you, anyway? You still with your girl?

I roll my eyes. Ever since he found out I have a thing for Harlynn, he’s gotten off on given me shit about it.

Me: She’s not my girl.

Porter: You sure about that?

Me: Yes.

No matter how much I want her to be, Harlynn and I are just … Well, I’m not sure what we are, but she doesn’t belong to me. That’s my brother’s mentality. Not mine.

Porter: You never told me where you are.

I glance up as Harlynn’s house comes into view and start across the street toward her front lawn. Then I look back down at the phone, sighing, well aware of the shit I’m about to receive from him.

Me: I’m actually going to stay at Harlynn’s for a few hours, just to make sure she’s safe.

Porter: Not yours, huh?

Me: Stop saying that shit.

Porter: Whatever. I’m going to go talk to some people and see if I can figure out who dealt tonight. Have fun with the girl that’s not your girl but really is.

Shaking my head and sighing exasperatedly, I pocket my phone as I arrive at Harlynn’s window. Weirdly, her blinds are closed, making me question if her mom heard her come in. I start to take my phone out of my pocket to text her when the blinds are pulled open and Harlynn is standing on the other side, sliding open the window.

“Hey, sorry I closed the blinds,” she tells me with a soft smile. “My clothes were covered in mud and smelled like lake water, so I changed.”

I discreetly eye over the thin-strapped top she’s wearing and a pair of plaid shorts. “It’s fine. I actually thought maybe your mom heard you come in or something.”

She shakes her head, strands of her long, brown hair falling across her bare shoulders. “Nah. She’s a pretty heavy sleeper. It’s my dad who