The Dark Places by R. Whitfield (novel24 TXT) 📕

“How about dinner tonight?”

He smiled like a Cheshire cat. She had caved so easily. “Sounds perfect. I’ll cook for you, and I was thinking that maybe after tonight we should tell your family and friends about us.” He heard her gasp.

“Really!” she said excitedly.

“Yeah, I think we’re ready for the next step, don’t you?” he asked.

“Yes, definitely!” she squealed. “I can’t wait to tell them all about you!”

He smiled. “Let’s talk about it more tonight, OK?”

They said their goodbyes, and he hung up. The tension he had felt began to dissolve gradually, like salt in water. He closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. Tonight, he would tie up all loose ends and regain some much-needed control. It was going to be tricky. He would need to ensure that there was no one that could place them together. She had promised to keep their relationship secret because he told her that he had a complicated ex-girlfriend at work who would make his life difficult if she knew he was dating again. He would first need to confirm that she had indeed kept her mouth shut, go through her phone for any photos, wipe down the apartment and remove all evidence of her. As much as he needed the sweet release that Lana had failed to provide, Lucy wasn’t the right girl for that. It would need to be quick, clinical and, of course, untraceable.

Grabbing a file off the desk, he smiled and walked out the office door towards the conference room, feeling like a new man. Tonight, would be fun, he thought. And I deserve a bit of fun, he decided, pouting. I have been good for far too long.

26

1998, Town of North East, Cheltenham County, Maryland

It was her senior year of high school, and she really did have it all. Head cheerleader, top of her class and on track for a full academic scholarship, loving family, the brightest of futures and, of course, the perfect boyfriend.

Eamon Sutherland was, in the eyes of hormonal teenage girls, a complete demigod. Tall with floppy blonde hair, muscular, with a smile flanked by dimples, he was everything a girl dreamed of — every girl except Surin Elliott.

Eamon had been pursuing Surin since first spying her in junior year. Her long legs, intense eyes and dark hair had captured his attention and his teenage imagination. Unlike most girls, however, she seemed mostly unaffected by his popularity and easy charm, but in senior year, after she garnered the sought-after title of head cheerleader, he decided it was time to make his move.

“If anyone has a chance, you do,” Jacob commented at recess as he watched Surin walk past their lunch table with a group of girls.

“What are you talking about?” Eamon added defensively.

“Surin Elliott.” He gestured toward her. “Um, we all know you have it for her bad.” The other boys laughed, and Jacob nudged his shoulder playfully. Eamon shrugged him off.

“So what if I do? She is a dimension above your fucking annoying girlfriend, Jacob.” The others snickered, high-fiving Eamon behind Jacob’s back.

“True, true,” Jacob agreed, nodding, then spotting his girlfriend across the room, he waved, then whispered, “but Jemma can suck dick like a hoover.” The whole table erupted into loud laughter and whistling, which caused the group of girls, including Surin, to turn around and watch. Eamon smiled as the girls giggled at their silly behaviour, all but her. She shook her head and kept walking. Jacob slapped Eamon’s back.

“No chance, dude. No chance at all.”

At the start of the season, a traditional bonfire night was held in honour of the football team’s upcoming year. Eamon knew she would have to be there, and being the quarterback, they would have official duties together. It took more effort than he expected to win her over. She happily smiled and posed for photos with him, cheered with the crowd, kicking her shapely legs in the air and rallied for the team’s success but still seemed to avoid him every time he tried to approach her one on one. At the end of the night, he had to run to catch up to her walking home with her friends.

“Surin,” he yelled from behind her and jogged casually to be by her side. Eve, her best friend, blushed ferociously in his presence. Eve was indeed gorgeous, blonde, and slim, and fell over herself every time he was around. She would have been an easy target, but he only had eyes for Surin.

“Oh, hey, Eamon,” she said, with an easy smile. He tried to be innocuous as he scanned her body up and down. She still had her cheerleader outfit on, and it fit her like a second skin.

“Hey,” he replied with a grin. “I thought I might walk you home?”

Eve stopped suddenly. “Shit, Sur, I left my swim bag back at school.”

Surin turned. “OK, let’s go back. I don’t have to be home for another hour or so.”

Eve looked from her to Eamon who was staring at her, willing her to disappear.

“Oh no, it’s fine,” she replied. Eamon sighed with visible relief. “I’ll catch you tomorrow, though.”

As she turned to leave, Surin called out, mildly confused, “Are you sure? I don’t mind coming?”

Eve grinned at her. “I’m certain, plus Eamon can walk you home now anyway.” She winked and jogged off down the path.

Eamon turned to face her and shrugged his shoulders. Surin continued walking, hugging her bag to her chest. There were a few awkward minutes of silence before Eamon spoke.

“Are you cold?” he asked, and without waiting for a reply, he removed his varsity jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

“Thanks,” she said. “You guys all looked great tonight,”

“Thanks,” he replied, not knowing what else to say.

Surin stopped suddenly and turned to face him. “Eamon, can I ask