Page 25 of Shadowed With Fear

“Are you and Grayson okay now?”

“What do you mean?” His head tilts a little as the corners of his mouth pull down.

“I mean, after, ya know, last year. You guys are okay, right? Like nothing has changed between you guys?”

“No, D. Of course not. What made you think that?”

“I— “I swallow. “I thought the reason Grayson has been avoiding me so much was because he was angry at me for causing issues with you two.”

Brahm wipes his hand down his face huffing, “Jesus Christ.” He looks at me blankly. “Really? That’s what you thought?”

“Yeah…”

“No, D. Nothing is going on. We’re good. Maybe you oughta talk to him about this.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

If I haven’t broken up the bromance, then he’s just got a stick up his ass. So, he’s just going to have to get over it.

* * *

Left over Browniezillas, the rest of the rented movies, a tub of strawberry ice cream, and a fuzzy blanket. Tonight’s going to get wild.

For the first time in a while, I’m not really freaking out to be here while Brahm is in West Ridge. I’m actually kind of excited.

Outside rain falls in muffled patters against the roof. The TV screen casts dancing shadows across the floor and over my face. I’m comfortable. I don’t feel the tingle of cold eyes on my back. I’m not riddled with a million questions or anxiety. I’m just…at peace, happy. And damn if it doesn’t feel good.

I’m watching a new movie that had come out recently, it’s a found footage about some friends doing a seance in the middle of the woods to try contacting their friend that had died the previous year. It’s good. The camera is pretty decent quality while still maintaining the grainy, shaky style of the genre. I’ve been captivated since the intro began.

My heart has been racing, my stomach rolling with the movement of the camera and the awkward angles it has been filmed on. The last time I reacted this way to a movie was in middle school. I know I’m grinning. Just a little bit. The corners of my lips tugging upward as my heartbeat speeds, goosebumps rising on my arms. I snuggle deeper into the soft blanket, pulling it higher to my chin as the music starts to crescendo. I know it’s coming. It’s a classic move. And I’m falling right into it.

The off-putting beats increase, volume rising each breath the characters breathe into the chilly air. They are joining hands over a board, a fire crackles behind them, hissing like tumultuous snakes. They are chanting, murmuring words in an unknown language, and the sound builds. And builds, builds, builds.

My gut sinks, thighs clenching beneath the cover. I’m transfixed on the screen.

The chants stop. The music ceased.

Any second.

The characters look around, peering into the woods behind the tree line encasing them.

The camera pans the area, but nothing.

“What the hell? It didn’t— “The board lifts off the leaf covered ground, flying through the ground to slam into a tree.

I jump at the heightened noise as it shatters against the trunk.

My breath stalls. And I begin to giggle to myself.

I rub my thighs together, gasping at the dull ache that has settled between them.

Shit.

I shift again feeling the cool wetness pooling at my center. I sigh, sitting back, trailing one hand up my inner thigh, eyes on the movie.

Feeling aroused, sexy, turned on? It’s not been on my radar for months. Too much has happened and continues to happen for it to occupy any thoughts in my brain. But tonight, after having such a great few days, I suppose my mind has settled enough. That or its the fact this movie is fucking good.

This is the part of fear I love. Heart pounding, breathtaking, hot fear. Like riding roller coasters or standing too close to the edge of a cliff.