AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you serious?” she cried in dismay. “You nursed a strange and crazy drunk girl through the night without taking advantage of her, only to find out the next morning—” Her words stalled off before she tipped her head to the side. “Youdidn’ttake advantage of me, did you?”
“What?” Eyes widening, I laughed and waved my hands. “No! Of course, not.”
With a dreamy sigh, she tipped her head toward me thoughtfully. “See. Some guys wouldn’t have seen a problem with swooping in for a little touchy-feely time in a situation like that.”
“I guess some guys are total asshats, then,” I assured, pushing my way back to my feet and dusting sand off my jeans. “Because no way would I do that. Are you rested enough to move again? My truck isn’t far away now.”
“Just…” She held up a finger and gulped as if trying to swallow down some nausea. “One more minute.”
Her cheeks looked unnaturally flushed. I lifted my eyebrows, stepping close. “Ready for the hospital yet?”
Scowling over the suggestion, she insisted, “I only need a minute.”
I chuckled and lifted my hands. “Okay. I’m going to check the beach one last time. Make sure we weren’t followed.”
“Good idea. Thank you.”
As I turned away, she groaned in agony, probably on the brink of vomiting.
“Foster?” she said in a small voice as if she might’ve changed her mind about the hospital after all.
“Yeah?” I answered, squinting to make sure the dot down the beach wasn’t a person. When it spread its wings and lifted into the air, reassuring me it wasn’t, I turned back toward the girl to see what she needed.
But she was no longer sitting against the fence.
She was gone.
I blinked and straightened in surprise because I hadn’t heard her stand up or walk away or anything.
“Hello?” I called, spinning in a circle to find her. “Diane?”
When no one answered, I glanced back at the spot where she’d been sitting, but the girl had freaking vanished as if she’d never been there.
The only place she possibly could have disappeared to this fast was into Javonte’s backyard, but I hadn’t heard the latch on the gate. And when I hurried forward to draw it open, the metal hinges squeaked loudly, telling me I definitely would’ve heard her enter.
Inside the backyard, the lawn and pool were littered with bottles, Solo cups, and articles of clothing, plus some shirtless dude was passed out in one of the deck chairs. But there were no redheaded girls anywhere.
“What the hell?” I demanded aloud.
Where had she gone?
I popped back outside the fence to walk the perimeter, but I still couldn’t find her.
It was the most bizarre end to a most bizarre night. And I hated that I had no idea how to check in and make sure she’d gotten home okay. Damn. Did she even know where her home was?
“I should’ve just taken her to the hospital,” I said as I glanced uneasily toward the water.
But I assured myself there was no way she was out there. She would’ve had to pass right by me to reach the Gulf. And besides, she wasn’t a seven-year-old boy. I’m sure she was perfectly adept at swimming and strong enough to fight any current that?—
My phone rang from my pocket, making me jump out of my skin.
When I pulled it up and saw Parker’s name, I answered with a shake of my head, needing to tell someone about my freaky, peculiar night. “Dude—” I started.
Only for him to burst out, “Where the fuck are you?” He sounded strangely worried. Or maybe scared.
“I’m—” I glanced up at Javonte’s fence and winced.
“Doesn’t matter,” he growled. “You’re alive. Now get to Archer House. ASAP.”
