Chapter Sixteen

“Should I be worried you two are dressed like cat burglars again?” Mom’s eyebrows quirked. She sat at the dining table, her laptop out, sipping a glass of wine.

“No one can live off minimum wage anymore. Got to make ends meet,” I said with a smile, shoving my feet into my black Converse.

The night was warm, and I had on my thin black cargo pants and dark tank top, my hair pulled back into a ponytail. It was getting so long it tickled the middle of my back.

“Go for the cash and jewelry then.” Dad walked out from the kitchen, sipping his beer. “It’s much harder to sell TVs and stereos.”

“Stereos?” Stevie chuckled. “When was the last time you robbed someone? In the eighties?”

Mom and I both laughed with her, and Dad widened his eyes at us.

“What?”

“Oh honey, you lost your street cred right there.” Mom shook her head.

“Did you say ‘street cred’?” I groaned. “Stevie, get me out of here. My parents are trying to be cool.”

“What? We’re not cool?” Dad looked around like he was shocked. “When did that happen? No one told me my cool guy membership had been revoked.”

“Okay.” I grabbed my friend. “We’re going now.”

“Have fun!” Mom yelled. “And be home by midnight.”

“Mom.” I looped my bag over my head. “I’m nineteen. I lived on my own in Italy, remember?”

“Well, guess what?” Dad shot back. “You’re living here again.”

“Okay, text me if you’re going to be late. You know we worry,” Mom replied.

My parents worried more than most. I understood that some of their overprotection came from almost losing me, but I felt squeezed into a tiny box again. Once you got a taste of freedom, it was hard to go back.

“I can tell you now I’m going to be late. Stevie’s house is closer, so we’ll probably stay there tonight,” I said really fast, stepping out of the door before they could reply.

“Text me anyway,” Mom yelled before I slammed the door and escaped into the night. We ran to Stevie’s car, parked at the curb.

“It’s hard for them. You’re still their baby.” Stevie hopped in, buckling up. “They’re not ready to let go.”

“I know, but their constant ‘Where are you going? What time will you be home? What are you doing?’ is driving me crazy. I’m having a hard time being monitored again.”

“Welcome to my world.” Stevie burst out laughing. “Remember when you met me, I was going insane because my mother was hovering. Now you know what I was going through.”

We headed to the fairgrounds. It was miniscule compared to the one I went to with Hunter for his supercross event in the larger town where my grandparents lived. Our local fair wasn’t until August, but a handful of buildings stood mostly empty during the year except for special events.

“It’s a strange place since there’s not much here.” I leaned forward, noticing what looked like a dozen small portable storage units lined up next to each other. Stevie pulled into the field used as a parking lot. More than twenty cars were scattered around.

“They put out some cryptic message that this one is more of a scavenger hunt of the mind.” Stevie lifted her shoulder. “As long as I don’t have to run, I’m game.” She parked and we both hopped out, following a stream of people walking toward the building used for the haunted house in October. More than forty people stood around, all dressed in dark clothing.

“Stevie! I’m so glad you are here.” A girl with long, silky brown hair, olive skin, and dark eyes dashed for us, clapping her hands. Stevie had “dated” her once. She was breathtaking, but it didn’t matter. Once Stevie was done, she was done.

“Hey,” Stevie replied, trying to not engage, but the girl threw her arms around her, kissing her cheek.

“It’s been too long. I would love to come up and visit you in New York.”

“Ohhh…” Stevie’s face twisted into a pained smile. “That. Would. Be awesome.” She spoke with as much pleasure as having a root canal.

“Oh my god, wouldn’t it though? Let’s make it happen.”

“Sure. I’ll let you know when I head back. Sorry, see some friends over here.” Stevie grabbed my arm, leading me away from her. “Stage-five clinger. Crap, I need to stop being so good in bed… just leads to attachment problems.”

I grinned, patting her hand. “Poor, poor Stevie. It’s horrible being so desired.”

“Right?!” She nodded, curling her arm into mine as we moved out of the girl’s eyeline. She stopped behind a tall guy wearing a ball cap, his broad shoulders only defining his waist more.

“Dammnnn.” Stevie gaped, not hiding her appreciation. Her gaze ran down the guy’s backside, her mouth ajar, her lids blinking. “Now that’s an ass I could ride.”

I couldn’t deny the guy’s rear end was up with the best I’d seen in some time.

The guy’s neck stiffened, hearing her talk about him, then he slowly turned around, a strange smirk on his face.

“Think you already have, but I appreciate your high rating approval,” a deep accented voice retorted dryly. Stevie stepped back, her entire body going still, her mouth dropping open.

Oh. Holy. Shit.

His hair was short now, and he was a lot more filled out, but the same eyes stared back at us.

Chris Singer, aka Tarzan, folded his arms, his mouth turned up like he was amused, but his eyes were crimped with anger, his gaze on Stevie giving away nothing.

“What are you doing here?” Stevie swallowed and straightened, as though trying to build up her own barrier.

“I could ask you the same.” He tilted his head. “Last I heard you were in New York.”

“And you were in Florida… on tour.”

My head whipped back and forth. For two people who declared they felt nothing and couldn’t care less what the other did, they sure seemed to know a lot about each other’s recent whereabouts.

“As you see, I’m not.”

“Me either.”

They both stared at each other, the strain slapping against my skin.

“Well. Okay.” I clapped my hands. “It’s good to see you, Chris.”

My voice finally jerked his attention to me, the hardness in his eyes softening, a smile growing like he just noticed I was there. “Jaymerson. Hey.” He gave me a quick hug. “Heard you were back in town. How was Italy?”

“It was amazing.” I peered over at Stevie who stood there, not moving or speaking, which was scary if you knew her. I reached out and grabbed her wrist, knowing she needed me to get her away from here. “We’re gonna move… far away… safer for all,” I muttered as Stevie and Chris went back to their standoff.

I took a step back and hit a wall of muscle, stumbling. Large hands clutched my bare arms, keeping me from toppling over. It was instant, every fiber of my body knew, coming alive and sending shivers over my skin. Please no.

“Hey, look.” Doug walked around to my other side, taking all doubt away. “The gang’s all here.”

He wasn’t supposed to be here. He couldn’t be here.

The warmth of his callused palms, the feel of his skin touching mine. Oh. God. Tingles skated down my thighs. I wanted to press back and melt into him. The nearness of his physique pulsed at my throat. Danger! I shoved forward, breaking away from his touch, swiveling around to face the new arrivals. Jones, Hunter, and Doug stood before me, but my attention was only on one.

My mouth opened to demand why he was there, but it just stayed open, my mind shutting down at the sight of him. He wore black jeans, a T-shirt, and a cap that only emphasized his scruffy, strong jawline. His blue eyes were locked on mine, and once again the world disappeared.

Crap, he was hot. How did I keep forgetting what he did to me when he was near? That dimple alone had way too much power over me. Dammit. Why was he here? He should have been home with Krista and his kid. Leaving me in peace…

“Jayme.” Jones waved his hand in front of my face, breaking me from Hunter’s gaze. I was grateful for the dim light of night because I could feel the heat of a deep blush. “Good to see you.”

Taking in Jones, a smile spread over my face, and I was filled with the warmth of seeing an old friend. I sprang over and hugged him. “Jones!”

He squeezed me back and assessed me. “You look amazing. Italy obviously treated you well.”

“Thanks.” I grinned, realizing how much I had also missed Jones. It was strange. At one time, these were the last people I thought I’d be friends with. “Are you back here too?”

“Chris and I.” Jones flicked his chin behind me. “Got in yesterday. Taking some downtime from the tour.”

No one else noticed, but I saw Hunter’s hand curl while everything else stayed impassive, like he couldn’t care less, but I knew deep down it had to kill him. It had been his dream, his passion, and Chris now was living it.

There was a beat of silence until Hunter broke it.

“Hey, Stevie.” He nodded at her. She tapped her mouth, looking him up and down. “What?”

“Trying to think what I should call you now, Hot Ass Number Three no longer fits… maybe Dickhead Number Two?” Stevie smirked.

“Let me guess.” Chris waggled his head. “I’m number one.”

“Oh my god, the scarecrow grew a brain.”

“O-kay.” I grabbed Stevie’s hand. We needed to depart before things escalated. I hadn’t even taken a step before a voice boomed over the crowd.

“Hey, everyone. Welcome!” The same guy from the last event we attended stood on top of one of the pods. “I’m Will, the head of Escapades. Tonight we’re introducing a new adventure to our program. Because we are growing so much and can no longer hide fifty to a hundred people from the cops, we went legit, with permits and all. This will be our home for the next two months, so please tell your friends if you have fun tonight. Ling over there will be taking the money before you enter, but let’s get to what we’re doing tonight. We have twelve pods.” He motioned below him. “All set up with the same scenario inside. All is fair… if your group can work together and solve the clues before it’s too late.”

“Ohhh.” I understood what this was—the new rage going around. People would get locked in a room with only a certain about of time to figure out the clues and escape. It was designed to force people to think outside the box and work as a team.

“Sorry, no fewer than three people in a group and no more than six. Get your groups together. You enter in two minutes,” Will said. Damn. It was just Stevie and me; we’d have to attach ourselves to another group.

Stevie’s eyes met mine, both of us thinking the same thing. We were not going to be locked into a tiny space with Hunter and Chris. There would be blood. Mayhem. And possibly not all of us would come out alive.

Stevie turned to part ways with the boys when her ex-hookup waved her arms at us to merge with her group. “Stevie! Join us!”

Stevie stopped, her head swinging around like she was caught between two burning buildings with no way out.

“All right, groups, get in front of a pod,” Will yelled out. “The doors close in sixty seconds. Then you have forty-five minutes. First out wins the prize!”

Everyone scattered, dividing into their factions.

“Stevie!” Pocahontas called out her name, her gestures more frantic.

“Twenty seconds!” Will counted down, my spine itching with anxiety.

“Come with us. We can have six.” Doug turned to me. “And I’d much rather be stuck in a small space with you two than us four assholes.”

Chris and Hunter were already walking into a pod, Jones jogging after them.

“Come on.” Doug grabbed my arm, tugging me with him.

“Five seconds.” Everyone scrambled for an open pod like cockroaches trying to avoid light.

“Four. Three. Two…”

Doug yanked me into the unit, Stevie barely slipped in before the door slammed behind us. A dim glow of a battery light above our heads cast the room in a green, sickly glow.

“Oh, fuck no.” Chris’s mouth dropped, staring at Stevie. “You’re kidding me. I’m locked in a room with her for almost an hour?”

“Like I want to be locked up with you.” She flipped him off. It was about a ten-by-ten room, the ceilings at least fourteen feet. Very tight for six of us.

“You were the one to come in here. I certainly didn’t invite you.” He took a step to her.

“You asshole,” she wailed, moving in even closer, the toe of their shoes knocking into each other. “Get over yourself. You’re not that good in bed.”

“Really?” Chris burst out laughing. “Is that why you couldn’t get enough?” He leaned into her face, breathing so heavily it looked like they were either going to hit or screw each other.

My gaze darted over to Hunter, his own glare already set on me.

This was going to be the longest forty-five minutes ever.

“I asked them.” Doug shrugged, sitting on a cot, pulling out a beer from the pocket of his baggy shorts. “You four just need to fuck it out. Go for it. We have time.” He waved his hand out to the small space in front of us.

“Dougie!” Jones held up his arms at his friend, shaking his head.

“What? It’s the truth.” He leaned back into the wall, gulping down his drink.

“Why don’t we actually try and get out of here?” I finally took a moment to take in the layout. “It’s why we’re here. Plus, the faster we solve it, the quicker we can get away from each other.”

“Fine by me,” Chris clipped, glowering at Stevie.

“Me too.” Stevie’s lip lifted in a snarl.

“I’m all for that,” Hunter mumbled, rubbing his head, turning away from me.

“Oh good. This sounds like it’s going to be so fun,” I quipped, looking around the room for our first clue.

It was set up like a quarantined hospital straight out of a dystopian world: blood splattered on the walls, toxic and biohazard tape and signs everywhere, plastic draped around the room, like we were the ones in confinement. Then there were a handful of metal boxes of different sizes and a cot.

“There.” Jones pointed to where a sheet of paper pinned to the wall showed an imprint of a bloody handprint.

I snatched it and cleared my throat.

“A virus like nothing that has ever been seen before is spreading through the world. A toxin developed to control the human race has turned the victims into mindless brain-eating monsters.” Great. Zombie themed. “The scientist who developed the virus and its cure was a victim of his own creation. The antidote lost.

“Your mission is to find an antidote, destroy this rapidly progressive virus you are now infected with, and escape within forty-five minutes or die from the acid-infused sprinklers, stopping you from spreading this disease.”

“That’s cool. I’d be a good zombie.” Doug took another drink, not moving from his spot on the cot.

“Because you practically are one.” Jones motioned to him, only making Doug shrug again.

My eyes scoured for a clue, feeling the tick of the clock. “Up there!” I pointed to one of the boxes at the top of a stack. “There’s writing on it.” I knew nothing here was simply decoration. Everything was a clue.

“Who’s climbing up?” Chris peered at all of us, evidently already declaring himself “not it.”

“Hell no. Climbing is similar to running.” Stevie shook her head.

Hunter’s eyes dropped to his leg for a moment, a crinkle in his forehead. With painful clarity, I realized he couldn’t. Both the accidents had stolen flexibility and movement from him.

“I’ll do it,” I blurted out. “I’m the smallest anyway.”

“Good choice.” Stevie patted my back. “I approve this decision. Well done, group.”

I rolled my eyes then gauged the height of the first box. I couldn’t step on it without a boost.

“I got you.” Chris stepped up, his hands on my hips, lifting me onto the box with ease.

“Thanks.” The tension in the room twisted up two more notches. The faster we solve this, the faster we all can get away from each other. As I ascended another box, the entire stack wobbled, my heart dropping into my toes. The swaying of the boxes below made me hustle, but I didn’t look down. Sucking in another breath I mounted another level, the boxes rocking again.

“Jayme. Be careful.” The familiarity with which Hunter said my name forced air through my nose. Tucking my lip between my teeth, my limbs shaking, I scaled up the final box, my head brushing the roof.

“It’s a code.” I ran my fingers over the print. “TZ95LJ328.”

“I hope one of you is memorizing that, because my head doesn’t accept random numbers or letters,” Stevie said, generating a snort from Chris.

“Wait. There’s a box over here with a lock combination,” Jones yelled up at me. “Repeat it again.”

After I uttered the last number, I heard a pop, like a box opening.

“Got it!” Jones cheered.

With a sudden sense of vertigo, I realized going up was much different than going back down.

“Jayme, I’m here. Come down slow.” Like threads of strength, Hunter’s voice wrapped around my arms and legs. Slipping back, my foot dropped to the next box, the entire structure shifting, my nails trying to dig into the smooth metal to keep me from falling. “It’s okay. If you fall, I’ll get you.”

This next one had the slimmest ledge, only giving me a few inches to get stabilized. My hands were slick with sweat, and they slipped with no traction from the boxes. I took in a deep breath.

“You can do it,” he said with utter conviction, like he knew the outcome already. It gave me determination and strength, my head bobbing in agreement. Reaching down with my weaker leg, stretching it farther than I meant to, my hip screamed with pain, my entire body trembling. My stomach bottomed out the second my hands lost their grip, scrambling for anything to hold on to.

I dropped, my knees crashing into one of the boxes, Hunter’s arms circling my waist, yanking me firmly back into his body before I hit the floor. As his fingers spread out over my stomach and hip, the heat of him thundered against my skin.

“You okay?” His breath trickled down my neck, his mouth almost grazing my ear. I couldn’t move or answer except to nod. Every inch of him pressed into me. I was walking the line of my addiction. This wasn’t just seeing your drug out on the table, but taking the tiniest of tastes, painfully reminding you how much you want more.

His arms dropped away the same moment I moved, as though we both knew we were playing with fire. My wall went up with a snap. I didn’t even thank him before rejoining the other four. My vocals weren’t working properly, and I knew I couldn’t look at him.

“Like you know what it means, ape-boy.” Stevie stood with her hands on her hips, lids tapered in annoyance at Chris.

“Oh, and you do?” he countered.

“You’re right, Jones; this is better than staying home and watching TV,” Doug snickered from the cot, drinking his beer, his attention darting from Hunter and me then to Stevie and Chris. “Dragging them in was the best decision I made all week.”

“Is our time up yet?” Stevie looked at her blank wrist. “My god, we’ve been in here years, right?”

“Clue two is this.” Jones placed a credit-card-sized black rectangle in my hand, with a key ring attached.

Flipping in around, it was smooth, with no opening except a few holes at one end.

“Tug on that.” Hunter moved beside me, tapping my hand holding the chain. “My dad’s friend, Joe, was a cop. He had one of those.”

I yanked on the cord, and a blue light shone out of the three holes.

“A black light.” I smiled, peering up at him. For a few seconds it was like we stepped back in time, comfortable with each other. No babies, girlfriends, or bad breakups. Just us.

“Hello?” Stevie snapped her fingers. “You two should probably separate.”

Crap. I took a step forward, pointing the black light at the wall, spotting writing underneath. It covered the walls. Words, codes, and sentences hidden behind the blood on the walls in ultraviolet ink.

“Shit. It’s everywhere.” Stevie followed my light, moving over the wall. “How do we know what’s important?”

We all stared at the walls, mouths open as I continued to scroll around the room. I could feel the time ticking, the invisible clock heading toward the end.

“Yeah, that looks hard.” Doug downed the rest of his beer, pulling out another one from his other pocket.

“Are you going to help us at all or just sit there?” Jones tossed his arms out, motioning at his friend.

“I’m gonna sit here.” He held up his beer. “And drink.”

“Wait. Is that an option? I’ll do that.” Stevie took a step toward Doug, but Jones blocked her from getting to the cot, the tight space feeling like it was getting smaller with each passing second.

“If you aren’t helpin’, then shut the hell up.” Jones took off his hat, rubbing his head before putting it back on. Doug responded with a chuckle. It was getting hot in here, aggravating the tension clouding the space.

“You know what? Screw this.” Chris moved to Doug. “I’ll wait the time out.”

“Figures you’d give up,” Stevie snorted derisively.

“Me?” He swung to her, tipping his head, staring back at her almost threatening. “That’s rich coming from you.”

“Ohhh, you did not…” Stevie lurched for him.

“Whoa. Whoa.” Hunter grabbed Stevie, holding her back.

“Wasn’t it you walking over here? Giving up?” Chris pointed back at her, his temper higher than I’d ever seen in the easygoing Aussie. It made me realize there was much more to their story than Stevie let on, the anger overly raw for it to be such a mutual ending. “Different if you do it, right? That’s the Stevie way. But I’m the one who’s an asshole.”

“Fuck. You,” she seethed, leaning past Hunter. “And yes, you are an asshole.”

“Okay. Whoa.” I held up my hands. “Let’s all calm down.”

“Why?” Hunter’s irate timbre twisted my head to him, my ponytail snapping my arm. “Sounding familiar to you, Jayme? Hitting a little close to home?”

“Excuse me?” I felt indignation surge, gritting my teeth.

“ENOUGH!” Jones yelled, his pale skin flushing with heat and anger. “How about everyone calm the fuck down.” He looked at each one of us. “Except you.” He motioned to Doug. “Any more and you’ll be comatose.”

“Told you I’d be a great zombie.”

“Back to the game, so we can get the hell out of here.” Jones rubbed his face, muttering under his breath. “It will be fun, Jones, they said. Just come.”

“I still think if they all screwed each other right now…” Doug shrugged, taking a drink.

“Dougie, shut up.” Jones pinched his nose, taking a deep breath before stepping closer to the wall. “Find a pattern or code. Now!”

We all rocked into action at Jones’s demanding tone. I hated how easily Hunter could rile me. It was humiliating.

We went silent as I rolled the light over the wall again, glowing words popping out at us. More time passed, slipping away quickly as we searched for a hint.

“Wait. Go back, Jayme.” Hunter came behind me, his nearness tensing my frame, dripping more sweat down my neck. “There.” He pointed, his arm brushing mine. “Letters are missing.”

My gaze rolled over the sentences and words, realizing there were a few letters missing in each group.

“You’re right.” I touched one of the words. “That’s it. The missing letters are our clues.”

“Does anyone have a piece of paper or pen?” Hunter scanned the room.

“Paper.” Chris ripped off one of the decorations. “But no pen.”

“Someone here have a good memory?” Jones asked.

“Since she can’t even remember names, I wouldn’t ask her,” Chris scoffed, flicking his head at Stevie.

“I remember the ones worth my time,” she swiped back.

“Guys—” I was cut off by lights above our heads bursting to life, red spinning around the room, and an alarm ringing loudly against the metal interior.

My hands slammed against my ears as a voice came from a speaker. “Warning! Warning! One minute before you find the cure or die a slow painful death.”

“Oh, thank god.” Stevie flung up her arms to the ceiling, eyeing Chris. “Melting away by acid rain sounds amazing right now.”

“Warning! Warning! This building is contaminated! Thirty seconds to escape.”

We all stood there, knowing we had no hope of getting out. We had only gotten to clue two. It had to be a record for the worst team ever.

A sound spat from above, jerking my head toward the sprinklers. Without much warning, water sprayed down on us, soaking our clothes and hair, plastering them to our bodies.

Doug leaped up like a kid, opening his arms and mouth, lapping at the water, and shaking his head. “Whoo-hoo! Feels awesome.”

Actually, the night was so warm and being trapped in a small metal box made the cool water pouring down feel amazing in this muggy, airless space. Stevie and I looked at each other, her blonde-and-fuchsia hair sticking to her face, a grin tugging on the side of her mouth. We started laughing.

Jones took off his hat, letting it fill up a bit before flinging it at us.

“Oh man.” Chris chuckled as he and Hunter both shook their heads.

War on.

All the guys had caps, which they quickly used as buckets, slinging water at each other. Hunter’s hand wrapped around my wrist, pushing me out front, hiding behind me.

“What the hell? I’m your human shield?”

“Sacrifices have to be made in war.” He smirked at me.

His words took me back to our pillow fight long ago, the masked attraction hidden behind a child’s game.

A splash of water smacked my face, whipping me back to Chris. “Oh! You are so asking for it!”

“Bring it on, princess.” Chris tapped at his chest.

Reaching around, I yanked Hunter’s hat from his hands and flung the cap full of liquid at the Aussie, slapping his face with water.

“Ohhh. You. Didn’t.” Chris tilted his head, feigning a look of shock as Stevie’s laugh howled in the tiny space.

“I so did.” I winked at Chris with a cocky shrug.

“Don’t let her tiny innocent look fool you. The girl is brutal.” Hunter chuckled, grabbing his hat back and chucking more water back at Chris, ducking behind me again, his hands holding my waist so he could easily move me.

“Hiding behind her? Oh, hell no!” Chris grabbed Stevie, dropping behind her, her laugh filling my heart. I hadn’t seen her this happy in a long time, despite her carefree façade. That was who Stevie played herself off to be. Someone with no worries. I knew better.

The door banged open, halting us in our attacks on each other. I flinched against the bright streetlight pouring into the small room. Clusters of people stood outside our pod watching with amusement. Dry.

“You guys were the only ones to not make it.” Will laughed, waving us out, taking in our drenched appearance. “Looks like you guys had fun though.” He clapped his hands, getting everyone’s attention. “Bonfire is over there, and if the winner wants to share their booty, drinks as well. But everyone, be safe. We’re now a genuine business and don’t want reason for the cops to shut us down. Have fun!”

“Should have gone with us.” Stevie’s Disney beauty came over to her, her attention running up and down Stevie’s soaked form, a frown dipping her mouth when her gaze landed on Chris behind her. “We won. Out in twenty minutes.”

Stevie patted her wet hair, the remnants of joy still glowing her face. “No, I was good.”

Maybe even five minutes ago we didn’t feel that way, but staring around at my war buddies, smiles on all our faces, I knew we had the most fun. When we let go, our group was magic.

The problem was, it could never last. Reality would reconstruct those walls the moment we left here. But perhaps, for tonight, we could all be friends again.