“Either he stays with you or you stay here,” Pastor Beasley says adamantly.

“I’m eighteen! I don’t need a babysitter.” Cole walks closer and it’s clear he has been listening in on us. Great! Can this night get any worse?

“What if you have a panic attack?”

My mouth drops open and my cheeks flush with every drop of blood in my body. I can’t believe he just said that in front of Cole!

“I’ll wake up, like I always do!” I snap. I don’t look at Cole as I head for his truck, without the house keys.

I yank the door open and look for a place to grab onto. “Why does he have to drive such a huge thing?” I snap at the truck. I’m on a war path with every-and-anything that comes in way.

“To people who just barely reach five feet it seems huge,” Cole says behind me. He grabs hold of my hips and lifts me into the truck.

I wait for him to get him before I mutter from my corner, “Five foot three.”

“You really want to compare inches, Bridget?” he asks with the sexiest grin spreading across his face. Is he flirting with me? Damn, I don’t know the first thing about flirting.

“You clearly win in that department, but don’t let it go to your head.” I fold my arms, pretending not to give a rat’s ass about what he thinks. “I meant what I said, I don’t need a babysitter.” I don’t know why I’m bringing it up.

“Will you stop being so stubborn? I’m takin’ you home. I’m going to stay with you because I want to. Deal with it, Bridget. Dammit, you make it hard to try and be around you. You’d swear I’m going to kidnap you and lock you up. I just want to-”

I suck in a shocked breath. I can’t get the next breath of air in. I grab at my chest and throw my body forward, trying to curl into a small ball. If I’m small he can’t see me.

That’s the first thing I remember to do as the darkness sucks me in. Anxiety claws at my flesh until only the bones are left, until all that’s left is the skeleton.

~*~

There are different shades to black. There’s your normal black, then there’s the kind where it’s so dark you see spots.

It’s so dark you see things children shouldn’t see.

It’s so dark you see the Bogeyman.

It’s the one Daddy whispers about through the door. “Here comes the Bogeyman. The Bogeyman’s coming to get you!”

It’s so dark you see fear in every speck of dust.

And then you smell it when you wet yourself. You feel it when it gets cold, because you’re standing in your own pee, and there’s nothing you can do about it because you’re locked in the closet.

You smell fear. You smell it in the stench around you when the hours become months. You taste the fear in your tears. You hear it when your stomach growls for food.

The Bogeyman is real. The Bogeyman is my daddy.

He only listens to one song. The man plays guitar, plucking the strings hard, as hard as the Bogeyman drinks.

The man sings about skeletons in the closet and the Bogeyman sings with him. “I’ve got a skeleton in the closet and she ain’t ever coming out,” he sings loud, but sometimes he’ll stand in front of the closet and he’ll whisper, those are the days I believe him. “I’ve got a skeleton in the closet and she ain’t ever coming out.”

~*~

“Bridget.” I flex my fingers and miss Pastor Beasley’s hand in mine as I come to. Warm hands gently cradle my face. His thumbs wipe the tears from my cheeks. My eyes flutter open and I’m met with Cole’s worried gaze.

“Thank fuck!” Cole growls.

Somewhere in the midst of my panic attack, Cole pulled over. He laid me down on the seat and … I let my eyes travel over his body that’s straddling mine. Yeah, he’s on top of me. This is by far the best way I’ve ever woken up from a panic attack. The fear just up and vanished at the sight of him.

“You scared the shit out of me!” he says, still looking worried.

“I’m so-” my words are swallowed by his lips as his mouth slams into mine. Another one of those fire crackers detonates inside of me, and I turn to mush under him as his lips coax mine into opening up. I part my lips and as his tongue slips over mine I grab hold of his shirt. My fingers twist into the material, wanting so badly to touch more of him. I feel his teeth graze my bottom lip and I smother a moan just in time.

Cole slides his hands down my sides. He leaves a trail of hot tingles behind until he takes hold of the hem of my shirt. I grab hold of his hands and break the kiss.

“Sorry, I got carried away,” he whispers against my lips. He looks so hot right now with his fuck-me-eyes and I’ve-just-been-kissed-lips. Dammit!

“Where are we?”

“Your house. The drive way. I should get you inside,” he says, and he gives me a smile that says we are going to continue this once we are inside.

I slide out from under him and fumble with the door as I try to open it. Cole chuckles and pressing against me, he opens the door. He rubs his body against mine as he gets out first and then taking hold of my hips, he lifts me out. He hugs me to his hard chest and smelling his musky scent almost puts me in a Cole Trenton induced coma.

“You look better,” he says, not sounding worried anymore.

“You kissed me to make me look better?” I ask, feeling confused about what just happened. Actually the whole night is just one big confused mess!

“I kissed you because you were lookin’ at me as if you wanted to kiss me. Was I wrong to think that?” Wow, talk about being direct.

“Can’t stop you from thinking what you want,” I say. “I’m gonna go in. Thank you for driving me home. I really appreciate it.” When it looks like Cole is going to argue I quickly add, “It’s been a really long day and I’d rather just go to bed. Thanks again.”

I run to my window and when I’m safely in my room, I sigh with relief.

~*~

“She called me a C-U-Next-Tuesday!” Reece huffs the words out, adamant not to repeat what Brooke called her on the way home from the store. Those two have hated each other since I came here five years ago, and I still don’t know why. Guess they’re natural born enemies.

“I’m not goin’, Link! Why would I want to go to a bonfire where that girl will be at? I’d rather have a nice evenin’ at home with y’all. We can watch a movie. Brooke is out for my blood and goin’ there will only give that bitch another chance to bully me. No thank you!” To make her point she drops down on one of the plush couches.

She’s more at home here than at her own home, but then so is anybody that comes here. Pastor Beasley is just that kind of person. Anybody is welcome to come and go as they please, and he is always available to lend a helping hand. The whole town knows they can turn to him whenever they need someone. He took me in without hesitation and no matter how dark my past, he hasn’t asked about it once. He only offered me his guidance and strength.

Link has been harping on going to this party for the past week and I don’t see him backing down now. Cole Trenton’s parents opened their theme park in Duncan for this party. Everyone who is everyone will be there. It’s perfect for a farewell get together before we all go our separate ways. Our senior year is over and it’s just another excuse to make out, and get drunk if you want my opinion. I’ve heard the rumors after every party about who did what with whom, and I’m in no hurry to see it for myself.

I hold my breath waiting for Link’s response. He clenches his jaw tightly, scowling down at Reece. When he fists his hands the movement catches my eyes.

“We hardly ever go to any parties. One time!” He holds up one finger, hulking over her with his lean body. Reece presses back into the couch, her eyes pretty much as wide as mine. “Fuck woman, stop thinkin’ of yourself and do this for me!”

My heart is slamming so hard against my ribs so I can only imagine how poor Reece must be feeling. My eyes jump between them, and then to the kitchen door. I wish Pastor Beasley was here, but he’s out with the newly married couples tonight.