Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (reading tree txt) 📕

through the night? And if I want to leave, I’ll call you.”

Ayden sighs, “I guess that will have to do, but I’m still having a chat with Rhys. I worry she doesn’t understand the seriousness of the situation.”

“She’s seen the news Ayden.”

“The news didn’t even cover half of the danger you’re in.”

“Fine.” I concede. It’s as good as I’m going to get with him, and honestly, I’m okay with that.

When we arrive back at Ayden’s, I pack a small bag while Ayden waits downstairs, and then he escorts me to my house. He goes inside first to do a sweep of the house while I wait just outside the front door, listening for any noise that isn’t meant to be there.

“Lexi!” Valarie’s voice is a loud shout, and I turn and watch as the scrawny little twelve-year-old runs up the front path to greet me.

“Hey, Val.”

“It’s so good to see you.” She flings herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist in a tight hug. I laugh into her jet-black hair, hugging her back.

“It’s good to see you too, kid.” I ruffle her hair, and she steps back, grinning up at me.

“So, you have a new family now?” She asks excitedly.

“Ah, not really. It’s a friend’s mum who’s taken me in until my mum gets better, I guess.”

“That must be fun. Do you have to share a bedroom?” Val is almost frothing at the mouth with excitement.

If only it were that exciting. Really, it’s kind of awkward and uncomfortable. As much as I’m grateful, I just really want my own space back. I feel like I don’t belong there. I feel like I don’t belong anywhere.

“No, I don’t have to share a bedroom.” I look up at my house to my bedroom window. It looks the same as it always does. It doesn’t look like anything sinister ever goes on behind the window. “Have you noticed any weird activity at my place since I’ve been gone?”

Valarie shakes her head, “Nope. It’s been quiet. What are you doing here, anyway?”

That’s Valarie for you, always the snoop.

“I’m meeting a friend here. We’re getting ready to go to a party later.”

“Oh, cool. Will you be drinking alcohol?” Val asks, looking up at me with eager brown eyes.

“No. I’m not old enough.”

She rolls her eyes. “Like that’s stopped you before.”

I laugh, “nothing gets past you, does it?”

“Nope.” Val’s grin is wide and proud. “I’d better go back inside. Mum doesn’t know I snuck out to see you.”

“You should definitely go back in then.” I smile, and she smiles back. “See ya Val.”

She giggles, waving as she runs off, leaving me to wait anxiously for Ayden.

I listen hard again, not hearing any noise coming from inside my house. Is Ayden okay?

“Are you going to go in?”

I scream and spin at hearing the voice behind me, my fists raised, ready to fight.

Rhys’s dark eyes widen before she smirks.

“Damn, girl. I don’t want to fight you, but I will if I have to.”

“Fuck me, Rhys! Why the hell did you sneak up on me?” I drop my hands to my sides, waiting for my heart to slow its pace.

“I didn’t sneak. I called out to you like three times after that little Asian girl ran off. You're stuck in your head again, aren’t you?” Rhys pops her hand on her hip, showing me her sass. “You really need to get drunk.”

“Shit!” Running my hand down my face, I try to calm my racing heart. If it keeps racing like this so frequently, will I give myself a heart attack?

“You need to get drunk and get laid, girl,” Rhys adds.

She’s not totally wrong. I do need to get drunk!

“She doesn’t need to get either!” Ayden’s voice booms from behind me.

Whoops. Busted!

CHAPTER TWENTY

“I’m starting to second guess bringing you with me.” Rhys pouts, her black lips matching her nails tonight. She told me the shade is called Haunt Me and the polish and lipstick came as a set. I don’t know where this girl shops. There are no retail outlets in Fox Pines that would sell something so mint!

“Why is that?” Eyes are on me. I can feel them coming from every direction. This party is nothing like the usual parties I get dragged to. Normally the music resembles viral TikTok’s or whatever is playing on Australia’s top 40, but not this party. My heart instantly feels at home, hearing the soothing voice of Aaron Lewis from Staind. Fuck yes! This is my sort of party!

“Well, besides the fact that you look so fuckable that I’m fighting to restrain myself,” Rhys turns in a circle gesturing to everyone else around us, her short black skirt twirling out a little as she turns. “They all want to fuck you too.”

I laugh, “Stop being dramatic.”

Her head snaps in my direction, her dark eyes annoyed at my comment. But then she cringes, “Shit, head spin.”

I laugh again.

“Ignore her, Lexi. Rhys is just used to getting all the attention and having her pick from the crowd. She’s just going to have to learn how to share tonight.” Tillie gives me a wink that sparkles with the movement from her glittery lids and proceeds to scull down her beer. She looks cuter than ever, wearing a peach-coloured top under her shredded denim jacket which brings out the peach glitter colour on her cheeks. This girl is all about the glitter. She even has some in her cute pixie hair.

“Fine, I’ll share, but only because I love you, Lexi.” Rhys flashes her teeth at me, throwing her arms around my neck in a hug. I stumble a little, the three vodkas and two fireball shots already oozing through my veins.

“How much have you bitches had to drink?” Dale asks, pulling out a joint and offering it to me. I shake my head, refusing.

“We’ve had enough to drink for now.” Rhys grabs the joint out of Dale’s hand and pops it between her lips, leaning into Alister when he