A Deal With the Devil (Boys of Preston Prep 2)

That was a mistake. You know why.

> But there are too many reasons hidden behind that truth to grasp at a single one. Was it a mistake because I’m his best friend’s kid sister? Because we have this whole complicated history? Because we’re both too messed up? Because the people around us would never be okay with it?

Or was it a mistake because Reyn doesn’t want me that way?

Reluctantly, I lift myself from the bed and walk toward the window, pulling the curtain aside. Even though I’d been looking for him, I’m still surprised to see Reyn. His window is open and he’s leaning out, elbows resting on the sill, turning his phone over in his hands. He doesn’t see me at first because his head is hanging, face hidden. A full minute passes before he looks up.

He straightens and pauses for a moment, watching me. Then, he lifts his phone, and holds up four fingers. Realizing what he’s doing, I take my own from my pocket and slowly program in the numbers.

I hit the call button.

There’s a few seconds of delay, but Reyn finally picks up, pressing the phone to his ear. I watch his lips move. “Are you in trouble?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. My mom was cool and Em and I hashed it out.”

He resumes his earlier position, forearm propped on the sill. “Sorry.”

“What for? It’s not your fault.” I smile sadly, burning with the question that keeps running through my head. I ask him another one, instead. “What did he say to you?”

“Nothing,” Reyn answers, shrugging. “I think he was just wondering if you were here on Devil business, but couldn’t say because of your mom.”

“I guess it’s just that thing, you know? About me needing to push it sometimes, show them that I want to have a life. I knew it wouldn’t be easy.”

His eyes dart up to mine and whatever he’s about to say, he looks hesitant about it. “You should be careful, with all these rituals. Having your phone tracked and everything.”

“I know.”

“If you want, I can…” He trails off though, eyes watching my house.

“What?”

After a moment, he answers, “I can show you how to disable it.”

“Oh.” I don’t tell him that I could probably figure that out myself. “Okay.”

He gives a heavy nod, and then looks toward the street. “Well, good night.”

I try not to feel disappointed. “Night, Reyn.”

I watch him hang up and follow suit, and when I close the curtains, I try not to memorize the tired curve of his shoulders.

That night, I want nothing more than to dream of the lake again. I lay in bed and try to remember the glow of fireflies, the calming stillness, the anticipation.

Instead, I dream of the two of us inside that car again. It’s anything but still here, with the wind whipping my hair around. It’s loud and dark, and my stomach feels full of the bad kind of expectation. Reyn looks older again, almost exactly like he did when I’d closed the curtain. There’s something hard and complicated swirling in his eyes. He keeps his gaze on the road, shifting gears every now and then, but doesn’t speak over the roar of the wind.

I keep waiting, but the crash never comes.

Even with the commotion, the deep sleep I got at Reyn’s house makes me more alert than I’ve been in weeks. At least Emory doesn’t seem to be holding a grudge, meeting me at the car with his usual barked, “AIS!”

I meet Sydney before classes start. “Wait, so you’re telling me that you fell asleep at Reyn McAllister’s house? That’s where you were when your mom was calling all over the place?”

Apparently before she remembered the location app, mom made a few desperate phone calls.

“Yes. By accident,” I stress.

“Uh huh.” Her eyes flick over to where I know he’s standing with my brother and the other jocks. Luckily, whatever issue Emory took with me last night didn’t seem to extend to Reynolds. Emory smiles at something Ben says, lobbing a playful smack into Reyn’s shoulder. “Maybe I need to show up at his house with dinner so I can sleep over by accident, too.”

I’m not expecting the vicious stab of jealousy that explodes in my chest. Sydney has zero boundaries. To her, all guys are an opportunity. If she tries to make a move on Reyn…