My One Night: An On My Own Novel by Carrie Ryan (life books to read .txt) 📕

“I honestly don’t know. We’re not posting pictures on social media, so it’s not like he can follow us around. But he could be taking that beat-up truck to follow me to you. I just want you to be aware. Okay?”

“Do you think he could hurt you? Us?” she asked, her voice filled with fear and worry.

“No. I don’t know. I don’t know him. And that’s why we’re all worried. My brothers and sisters-in-law are all taking steps to ensure that they’re safe, and I just want you guys to make sure you keep the security system on, and your doors locked.”

“We always do. We’re a group of women living near a college campus.”

“Now you have one more thing to worry about,” I grumbled. “I’m sorry about that.”

She reached up and brushed her fingers along my jaw. “Don’t take this on. It’s not on you.”

“Sure as hell feels like it.”

“Between the two of us, we’re excellent about putting our parents’ worries and damnations into our decisions. And we should stop doing that.”

“Easier said than done,” I whispered.

“Tell me about it. But if we make a conscious effort, maybe we can pull through this in the end.”

I kissed her softly again, but I didn’t let it go any further. Instead, I held her close, and we lay there, talking about our weeks and just breathing, living.

She sank into me, and I felt the tension release from her. I wondered what the hell we were going to do when we realized that we were no longer just being casual.

Though perhaps, in the end, there had never been anything casual about us.

As I had thought before, I was falling in love with Elise Hoover. And I had no idea what would come of it.

Or what would happen when she realized what I felt.

Would she run? Or would she stay, possibly frightening us both.

Chapter 16

Elise

“To finishing the hardest exam of the semester,” Dillon said and clinked his glass to mine. I took a sip and sighed at the sweet taste. We were at the Connolly Brewery and each drinking root beer. It wasn’t exactly a fancy date consisting of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, but it was what we needed. The two of us sitting in a corner at a place that felt like home to Dillon and was quickly becoming one of my favorite spots. We still each had a couple of months until we hit twenty-one, so there was no drinking the true wares for us yet, but we didn’t need alcohol to have a good time. Aiden was in the kitchen, making us a special meal that wasn’t on the menu in celebration of us finishing our exams. I was grateful for what was on its way because I was starving, and I knew that anything Aiden made would be extraordinary.

“I think your stomach just growled. Thinking about Aiden’s meal?”

“Your brother makes amazing food. I can’t help it.” I said, blushing.

“Well, thank you,” the chef himself said as he walked towards us, plates in hand.

“You’re eating what I give you, and you’re going to like it,” he grumbled to Dillon, though the light in his eyes danced.

“Thanks,” Dillon said dryly.

“You’re welcome. Behold, your dinner.”

He explained each of the meals in such detail that I wondered if he was also a writer in his spare time. My mouth watered with each additional item mentioned, and then my eyes widened as Cameron brought even more.

“How are we supposed to finish all this?” I asked.

“Oh, I’m pretty sure we’re going to be sneaking bites when you’re not looking,” Cameron said, joking.

Brendan showed up with yet another set of plates, and I shook my head. “There’s enough here to feed an army.”

“The Connollys are their own type of army,” Dillon said dryly.

“And you know, your guy here could probably make food nearly as good as I made.” He raised a brow at Dillon. “I said nearly,” Aiden growled out as Dillon’s eyes brightened.

“That’s nice of you,” Dillon said. “I feel all warm inside.”

“Well, you’re about to feel full. So eat, be merry, and happy exam day.”

I shook my head as the brothers walked away and then looked at the smorgasbord in front of us. “I feel like the rat on Charlotte’s Web when he’s singing and dancing among all his food.”

“Please do not use that comparison out loud when Aiden’s around. He may kick you out of the brewery forever—and me along with you.”

I blushed. “Yeah, as soon as I said it, I realized it was wrong, but I couldn’t help it. It all looks amazing. I don’t know where to start.”

“Let’s just dig in. My mouth is suddenly watering to the point that I’m going to drool on the table, and if I do, Aiden will kick us out for another reason.”

I snorted, and the two of us dug in. The Connollys did indeed stop by the table, taking a small plate away with them. I knew that Aiden probably had more food in the back, but they had wanted to join in. The bearded bartender I had met at one point was also there, coming over with his wife just to say hello.

I knew the other customers probably wondered who we were and why we were afforded such treatment, though most seemed to know who Dillon was and waved and said hello. They congratulated us on passing our exams, and it felt like we were one big family.

Much better than my actual family, who I hadn’t talked to since our disastrous dinner. Not that I wanted to, but it would have been nice to text them and let them know that I had passed, and things were looking up.

Only I wasn’t sure they would allow that to happen.

By the time we were done, I was beyond full and leaning on Dillon’s shoulder, happily sated and sleepy.

“We should get you home,” he mumbled. “I know you don’t have class in the morning because it’s your off