Twisting my lips, I glance down at my feet, glad the fading light means he can’t see the annoyance on my face.You’re a dickhead, I don’t say out loud.
Evan stops short, glaring at me. “Why did you ditch me at the bar?”
“I’d had too much to drink, and you weren’t ready to leave.”
“You could’ve said something. I’d have taken you home.”
My eyebrow arches.“I’ve heard you have a reputation.”
Shaking his head, he walks ahead of me. “Whatever, Reanna. I thought we could have some fun, sorry for misreading the situation.”
Crossing my arms, I’m glad to be rid of Evan, but I’m still frustrated. I want to have some fun with Dirk tonight. I miss him after our hot kisses and even hotter sex.
“This is it!” Ali trills, and I look up to see a giant killer-clown head with its open mouth as the entrance like we’re in a rap video or something.
“I hate those things.”
I shrink back, but she bounces over to grab my arm. “Don’t be a baby. Think of it as a big balloon. You can always prick it with a pin.”
“I think it would take more than a pin.”
Ryan walks around between us, putting his hands on both our shoulders. “I’ll protect you from the scary clown. Don’t worry.”
He has no idea I could take him and all these fucking clowns out if needed—and there’s no reason for him or anyone to know.
Instead, I lean in to sweet, tall Ryan escorting us. “Thanks, Rye-boy.”
Once we’re through the creepy clown’s mouth, we’re in front of a basic hay maze, only it has the addition of actors dressed in zombie costumes lurking around and giving us disturbing smiles. Beady black eyes peep out from behind skull makeup, and a black light turns everything white into purple, including Ryan’s perfect teeth.
Ali leans into my ear. “Don’t be afraid. The student-actors aren’t allowed to touch you.”
A tremor is in her voice, and I wonder if she’s saying it as much for herself as for me.
“Good to know.” I slip my hand in the crook of her arm. “I hope I don’t forget myself and punch one of them.”
A large hand clutches at my ribcage, and a raspy whisper is between our ears. “Let’s go, girls.” Spinning around fast, I grip the hand, twisting it up behind the attacker’s back, causing him to yell. “Uncle! It was a joke!”
“I’m sorry…” I release Ryan at once, rubbing his shoulder. “You shouldn’t sneak up on people in a haunted house.”
“Hay maze, and what the hell, Reanna?” he groans. “Are you some kind of self-defense expert?”
Ali hurries over to put her arm around my waist. “Stop it, Ryan. She had a difficult childhood, growing up in a war zone. Maybe this was a bad idea. Do you think it might trigger your PTSD, Re-re? We can go.”
Again with the war zone. “I’ll be okay. Let’s just get it over with.”
The maze is well-constructed with stacks of hay so tall, we can’t see over the tops. Overhead lights illuminate the center of the paths, but the corners are dark as are the curves and dead ends.
“You’ve done this before?” I lean into Ali’s ear.
“Oh, yeah, it’s my fourth time.”
“Is it the same every year?”
“Every year!” She laces her fingers with Ryan’s again, who walks on the other side of us now, giving me plenty of space.
She’s enjoying this too much, and my eyes fly to a dark corner where subtle movement precedes the appearance of a burned-faced hobo dressed in rags with stringy hair and bloodshot eyes.
We pick up the pace, dashing further into the grassy labyrinth. “I hate these actors.”