UNINVITED
235 Words
I lowered the window halfway, the cold air rushing in. “Daniel,” I said, keeping my voice neutral. “It’s late.”
He gave a small smile that didn’t warm his eyes. “Ryan wanted me to check in on you.”
My pulse kicked up. Check in sounded like a nice way of saying keep tabs on.
“I’m fine,” I replied, my fingers curling slightly out of sight, brushing the edge of the envelope on the seat.
His gaze flicked briefly toward the interior of my car, lingering for a second too long on the passenger seat. “Rainy night to be out driving,” he said, tone casual.
“I like the quiet,” I lied.
Daniel stepped back, motioning toward the street. “Ryan’s waiting at the house. You should come now.”
Something in his voice made it sound less like an invitation and more like an order.
I glanced down at the envelope. Leaving it here would be stupid. Bringing it might be worse.
In the end, I slid it under the floor mat.
“Alright,” I said, stepping out into the damp air.
Daniel’s eyes followed me, calm on the surface, but I could feel the scrutiny in every measured step he took behind me.
Tonight, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone — maybe both of them — already knew I had the photo.
- Writer
