Invisible string | Harlan Briggs

Chapter 006

"Can I?" I ask Everett, my fingers hovering over his shoulder. He blinks at me, clearly confused but nods, probably because he has no idea what I'm planning.

The car rolls to a stop outside Everett's house, and I reach over, letting my fingers graze across his shoulder. My eyes flash—just for a second—and the whole car freezes. A collective gasp fills the air as I take in the scar tissue on his shoulder. It's 98% healed, but I can see the faint trace of a bite mark, still finishing the healing process.

I drop my hand with a casual smile. "You're pretty much completely healed. Lucky you," I say, tossing the words like confetti into the confusion that hangs thick in the air. Everett looks even more confused now, and honestly, it's adorable how oblivious they all are.

Luna parks the car, and as the rest of the group is processing, Harlan opens the door for Everett to hop out. "Don't forget, Blake," Everett calls over his shoulder, "if you ever need it—or, y'know, want to teach it to your brother—it's called 'Lion's Breath.'" Blake gives him a little nod of gratitude before heading off, and Everett disappears into his house.

Harlan moves the seat back and climbs back into the front of the car, his eyes briefly catching mine with a knowing look.

I glance up at the rearview mirror, seeing Luna's small smile and catching the ranger lady tailing us. I sigh, rubbing my temples. Just what we needed. Another person to question everything.

As we stop to drop off Blake, I start to slide out of the car when Harlan's hand darts out to stop me. "Where are you going?" His voice is casual, but I can sense the smirk in his tone.

I raise an eyebrow at him, playing along. "To my motel room, obviously," I say, making no effort to hide the sarcasm.

Before I can even think to ask, he leans in, the familiar scent of his cologne filling the space. "We can get your stuff. You can stay at ours. It'll be a lot more comfortable... and safer," he adds with a wink that makes my heart skip a beat.

"Well, who can resist comfort and safety?" I reply dryly, trying to hide the blush that creeps up my neck. I grab my bag and head to my room with Harlan following closely behind.

Inside my room, I grab the small bag sitting on the bed, feeling Harlan's gaze on me. "That's it?" he asks, eyes flicking to the bag in my hand.

"Yep, that's it." I smirk, turning to face him. "I don't really need much."

We make our way back toward the car, and just as I go to open the door to the backseat, Harlan pulls a classic move—he opens the door and then yanks me into his lap instead.

I squeak in surprise, laughter bubbling out of me when I see the smug grin plastered on his face. "Really, Harlan?" I scoff, but there's no real bite to my words.

His grip around my waist tightens, pulling me flush against him. "You know you like it," he says with a teasing glint in his eye. His hands rest on my waist, warm and steady, sending sparks racing through my veins. We both stay like that for a few moments, the air thick with tension, neither of us saying a word. I feel like the space between us is narrowing with every second, and I'm trying, with all my might, not to overthink it.

Once we arrive at the house, I slip out of his arms, but I can still feel the heat of his hands on my waist as I make my way to the door. Luna follows, and as we all step inside, I catch the ranger lady trailing behind us, her eyes sharp as she watches every move we make.

"I already told you, we don't know them," Harlan says, a little too casually, as his fingers continue to run in slow circles along the back of my hand.

The ranger lady eyes us, clearly unconvinced. "Then what were they doing out there with you?" she presses, raising an eyebrow, determined to get something—anything—out of us.