Kiss and Don't Tell(8)

“Uh, not sure. Haven’t thought that far.”

The boys all exchange looks and the silence between them starts to make me nervous.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“You don’t have reservations or anything?” Levi asks.

“No, I figured I’d find something when I got up here.”

Eli cringes and says, “I would be impressed if you found vacancy anywhere. Banff is really popular this time of the year, especially for the views. I’m not sure you’re going to find anything open.”

My hope falls. “Really? Here I was, trying to be spontaneous. I didn’t even consider lodging.” I think about my car stuck in the mud. If I can get it unstuck, there’s enough room in the back seat. “Looks as if I might be crashing in my car, then.” I try to laugh it off but none of the guys laugh.

“If you’re worried about being abducted, sleeping in your car is a surefire way to make that happen,” Pacey says, keeping his eyes trained on his water bottle. He hasn’t said much this entire “dinner” but when he does talk, for some reason it feels as if I hang on his every word.

I don’t know what it is about him, he’s not really elusive or broody like the men are in all those books I read. He’s just . . . uninterested?

Wow, that says a lot about me.

Get it together, Winnie.

“Why are you up here, again?” Eli asks.

“Adventure,” I say, swallowing down the real truth. “So, you know, I can just travel back. No biggie.” I shrug and pass it off as nothing, even though in the back of my head I’m panicking.

This is exactly what Katherine didn’t want to happen. She didn’t want me traveling alone, getting lost, and then, once again, abducted and with no cell service, of course. And apparently now, half the food I arrived with.

Not smart, Winnie, not smart at all.

Seeing that the rain has let up, I know I’ve probably overstayed my welcome, so I stand from the table and say, “Well, thank you for the company and the opportunity to get dry, but I don’t want to keep you guys any longer from enjoying your time off together.”

“Great,” Potato says, standing as well. “It was nice of you to stop by.”

“What the actual fuck, Silas?” Eli says. “You’re not kicking her out.”

“I’m not.” He motions to me. “She’s on her way out. I was being polite and saying thank you for stopping by.”

“And where the fuck do you think she’s going to go?” Eli asks.

“Uh, back to her car?”

“I’m uncomfortable when Mom and Dad fight,” Levi says, pulling at a cloth napkin.

Leaning in close, Pacey asks, “Which one is Mom?”

With that signature smile, Levi says, “Taters, of course. Easily the bottom.”

“Fuck you, I’m not the mom.” Turning back to Eli, he says, “If she wants to leave, let her leave.”

“I really don’t want to cause any trouble,” I say, taking a step back. “I was just hoping you guys had a phone I could use. I really appreciate you letting me stay for a little bit. It’s been quite kind.” I turn and head toward the door. Behind me, Eli and Potato argue while I gather my things.

It’s obvious Potato doesn’t want me here, and I’m not about to make someone uncomfortable in their own house. I take my jacket off the coat rack and notice that it’s still wet. That’s fine, it’s drizzling out anyway, and if I find my car—that’s a big if—I have more clothes in there.

God, this is idiotic.

I shouldn’t have left the car in the first place. But fear took over, I saw some lights in the distance, and I followed them. Which brought me here. Much good that did.

I start to put my jacket on when a strong hand lands on my shoulder.

I turn to find Pacey staring down at me.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he says quietly while taking my jacket. Eli and Potato are still arguing. Halsey is back on the couch, reading, and Levi is watching “Mom and Dad” while nervously fidgeting in his chair.

“That’s o-okay,” I stutter, feeling incredibly intimidated by his intense blue eyes. “I really don’t want to impose anymore.”

Still talking quietly, he asks, “And where are you going to go?”

“Back to my car.”

“And where is that?”

I swallow hard and wave my hand toward the door. “You know, that way.”

“I see.”

Just then Eli comes up to us as Potato storms off. “Sorry about that.” Eli looks behind him and then back at me. “It’s nothing against you. Taters is working through a bad breakup with a girl he’s been with since high school. As you can see, he’s not handling it well.”

“Oh, that’s awful.” I look off toward the hallway he just stormed down. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It seems any female will piss him off at the moment, so it’s nothing against you, just your sex.”

I nod. “Well, I don’t want to make him even more mad while he’s on vacation.” I reach for my jacket but Pacey doesn’t allow me to take it. “If you don’t mind.”

With concerned eyes, Eli says, “It’s eleven at night, you have no clue where your car is, it’s still drizzling out, and the roads are mud. You’re not going to do anything but get into more trouble if you leave now. There are plenty of bedrooms here. Please just stay the night, and in the morning, we can help you find your car.” When I don’t say anything, Eli adds, “My parents would fucking murder me if they knew I let you leave here.”