“Sounds good.” I wrap my arm around Eddie, and he looks up at me all adoringly.
Elliot opens the door and hesitates as he peers out into the darkness.
“What are you doing?” Christopher asks.
“Nothing,” Elliot snaps. “Just . . . looking around.”
“For what?”
Elliot holds his hands out and widens his eyes. “Things.”
“What things?” Christopher frowns.
“We heard a growl in the bushes,” Eddie says.
Christopher’s eyes widen. “What kind of growl?”
“It was big,” Eddie replies. “Huge.”
“What do you fucking mean, a huge growl?” Christopher stammers. “Like what, like a bear?”
“Like a wolf.”
“A wolf?” He gasps.
I burst out laughing. “Are you serious? There are no wolves in the United Kingdom,” I scoff.
“Are you sure about that?” Elliot asks as he puts his hands on his hips. “It sounded pretty wolflike.”
“Uh-huh.” Eddie nods. “For real.”
“Hmm, pretty sure.” I get my phone out to ask Google.
“Anyway,” Elliot replies, “Christopher, walk me to my car.”
“What . . . me?” Christopher points to his chest in horror. “Why do I have to die too? Walk yourself to the fucking car. You’re a big shot farm boy now. Handle it.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh my god, you boys are pathetic. You deal with the biggest assholes every day at work and yet are scared of a tiny wolf?” I walk out the front door in a rush. “Come on, then.”
Elliot follows me as I walk to his car. “You just need some lights out here. It’s very dark,” he justifies himself.
I look up to the house to see Christopher and Eddie peering around the doorjamb as if scared for their lives.
I giggle, and Elliot laughs too.
“Good luck living here with those two wimps,” Elliot says as he kisses my cheek.
“Thanks.” I wave him off and watch as his car drives away.
I walk over to the bush as I bite my bottom lip to stop myself smiling.
“What are you doing?” Christopher calls.
“Just checking things out.”
“Check them out tomorrow, when it’s light,” he calls.
I walk into the bushes. Elliot is right—it is pitch black out here.
“Hayden . . . ,” Christopher calls.
I crouch down and hide.
“Hayden . . . ,” he calls. “The fuck is she doing out there?” I hear him ask Eddie.
“This isn’t good,” Eddie replies.
I hold my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud.
“Hayden . . . ,” Christopher calls. “This isn’t funny . . .”
“Fuck, she’s dead,” Eddie says.
“Don’t say fuck,” Christopher replies. “Hayden . . .”
I giggle into my hand.
“Hayden!” he cries.