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

few more tables before I get there. She’s doing me all right for now.” I tapped on the hood and looked up at the dark sky. “That storm’s coming in a bit early.”

“That’s what my app said,” Pacey said as we both piled into the truck. “It’s going to be a fun one tonight. We may be able to use the fireplace.”

“Do you know how to use a fireplace, or are you going to end up smoking us out?”

Pacey just raised a brow. “Of course, I know how. Why don’t you?”

“Because I’ve never had a fireplace before.”

“Really? That surprises me since we live in Colorado.”

“Didn’t need them much out in California. At least, where I was in California. And none of my brothers have one in their homes. I think Brendan wants one, and they’ll probably end up getting one in the next house they buy, but as of now, I don’t know how.”

“Well then, we’ll have to teach you. Look at you, growing up.”

“Jerk,” I said.

Pacey smiled. “I try.”

“How did your exams go?”

Pacey shrugged as I turned down the street. “Fine, as always. It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to study. Sometimes, you know the material.”

“Only sometimes?”

“Well, other times things don’t work out the way you want. However, this semester I seem to have gotten lucky.”

He was quiet for a moment, and I kept my eyes on the road, the snow coming down a little bit harder now.

“I hope the rest of the guys can get home through this. I don’t like the look of this stuff on the roads.”

“Spoken like someone who didn’t learn how to drive in the snow.”

“I didn’t. I didn’t feel like I ever needed to learn.”

“That fills me with so much confidence. Maybe I should have been the one who drove.”

“And we’d end up on the wrong side of the road, as you said.” I snorted.

“Are we going to talk about the elephant in the room?”

My hands tightened on the steering wheel. “What elephant?” I asked, trying to act casually.

“I don’t know, the broken look you’ve been sporting, like you lost a part of yourself.”

I shook my head as I pulled around to the side of the house. With the snow coming and the plows working in the morning, it was best to park on this side and save the spots in the garage for the rest of our roommates. I didn’t mind my truck being here, and it wouldn’t be easy for them to find spots later in this storm.

“Have you talked to her?”

I sighed, my hands clenching. “No. I texted Elise to check on her, but she hasn’t replied. Although Nessa said that she’s talked with her, so I know she’s okay. Not today, however. I’m going to try again and hope she at least gets back with Nessa.”

“I can’t believe Corinne’s gone,” Pacey said, his voice hollow.

I let out a breath. “I can’t either. I know she was your friend.”

Pacey looked away, his voice low when he spoke. “She was. And she wasn’t supposed to die. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah. Me, too. I hope you and Elise figure it out.”

“Hell, me too.”

We got out of the truck, each zipping up our jackets. The temperature had dropped in the ten minutes it had taken me to drive home, and I wasn’t looking forward to how cold it would get this evening.

“Are the girls staying tonight?”

“As far as I know. It’ll be a full house.”

“Yeah...”

“Do you know how you’re going to fix this?” Pacey asked, his voice low. “I mean with Elise.”

“I don’t know if there is any fixing it. She’s just so broken, at least according to her, and I can’t simply step in and make things better. Plus, I don’t want to be the guy who hovers and forces her to listen to me and then bullies my way into helping.”

“Maybe you can be the guy who’s sort of in the middle of that. One who helps even if she pretends that she doesn’t need you to.”

“Yeah, I’m going to have to find a way. Because I love her, Pacey.”

“I know,” Pacey said softly. “We all know.”

“Well,” I said with a dry laugh. “I just figured it out, and I’m pretty sure that Elise doesn’t know.”

“Somewhere deep down, she does. And maybe that’s part of why she’s scared.”

“That doesn’t help me feel any better.”

“Maybe not. But if you love her enough—and I know you do—you’ll wait for her.”

“Of course, I fucking will. It’s not over. I’m just giving her the space she needs.”

“Good,” Pacey said as we walked up to the front doors, stomping our feet to get the snow off.

“That’s damn good.”

We took off our shoes, and I visibly shivered as Pacey went directly to the fireplace. Nobody else seemed to be home, and I hoped they arrived soon. The roads weren’t getting any better—not even for a native Coloradan.

“You want to start some coffee?” Pacey asked.

“I can do that. Though I thought you’d want something stronger.”

“Oh, we can do that, too.”

My phone buzzed, and I looked down at it, frowning.

Nessa: Have you gotten ahold of Elise?

I frowned, typing quickly.

Me: No. Why? Is everything okay?

Nessa: Her parents said that she was on her way to talk to you, but I can’t get ahold of her. I wanted to make sure she was there. With the roads so bad, I’m worried.

My heart thudded, and I looked around. I called Nessa instead of texting back. “She’s not here. The house is empty.”

“Damn it. Will you check to see if her car is there or something? Maybe she fell asleep like Goldilocks in your bed while waiting for you.”

“Jesus, I hope so. Okay, I’m going to check. I’ll let you know.” I hung up, my hands shaking. I padded in my socks towards the back door and frowned when I saw her car.

“Pacey!” I called out.

“What? Talk to me.”

“Nessa said that Elise came here. Her car is here, but I don’t see her.”

“Shit, I’ll go check the rest of