14. Summoning Ghosts is Easy Figuring Out Selene Dusk, Not So Much
Ron
“Elizabeth Dawes.”
The candlelight flickers, throwing sharp shadows across Cole’s face from below.
“Elizabeth Dawes.”
Silence settles over the room, broken only by the wind starting to slam against the windowpanes.
“Elizabeth Dawes.”
Cole holds Carolina’s gaze for a beat, his eyes glinting in the dark with pure challenge.
“Elizabeth Dawes.”
Then, with a sharp breath, he blows out the candle.
Darkness drops over us instantly. A thin trail of smoke curls into the air, carrying the bitter smell of burnt wax.
Of course it had to end like this—a ridiculous dare turning into a makeshift séance.
One. Two. Three seconds of complete stillness.
No ghost. No wailing.
Then, with a sharp click, Josh flips on the large floor lamp in the corner. Light floods the living room, and he claps his hands, breaking into a loud laugh. The whole group follows, erupting into cheers and laughter.
“Alright, Princess,” Cole says, running a hand through his hair, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “You lost the bet. That means you owe me a kiss.”
Carolina doesn’t even blink. She grabs her bottle from the floor, takes a slow sip of beer, then stands up and stretches, her Cowboy Pillow T-shirt riding up slightly as she moves.
“Let’s see if you’re worth it,” she taunts, stepping closer.
Cole doesn’t need to be told twice. He grabs her hip and pulls her in.
“Oh, darlin’,” he murmurs with a crooked smirk, leaning down toward her. “Nobody’s ever complained.”
They kiss.
It’s not soft or playful—it’s all heat and no hesitation. Full-on, unapologetic.
The room explodes the second it happens—hoots, whistles, laughter, chaos.
I raise my handheld camcorder and frame myself.
“Night one. Paranormal Truth or Dare,” I say into the lens, keeping my voice easy.
Truth is, I’m just looking for a distraction.
Watching two people devour each other six feet away makes my fingers twitch, reminding me exactly what I’d rather be doing right now—with the woman sitting one couch over from me.
Selene is… acting weird.
Weirder than usual.
More specifically, she’s been cold ever since I brought her a bottle of Smithwick’s from the kitchen.
She was sitting there in silence, so I went to get her a drink. When I handed it to her, she looked at me like I’d said something completely unhinged.
"Why?" she asked me.
I shrugged, smiling. "You were drinking it at the saloon that night... I figured it was your favorite."
She opened her mouth. Then closed it. Opened it again. “I’m surprised you…” she started, then stopped. Shook her head. Took a long sip instead.
And since then, she hasn’t looked at me once.
And me—someone who’s usually good with people—I’m starting to lose my mind trying to figure her out.
A sharp clap of thunder rattles the living room windows, snapping me back to reality.
Cole and Carolina both flinch. Their kiss—very much not PG at this point—breaks instantly. They pull apart, stare at each other for a beat like they’ve both forgotten where they are, then burst out laughing along with the rest of us.
Cole steps back, licks his lips like he’s enjoying the memory, and winks at her.
While everyone’s still laughing off the scare, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye.
Selene gets to her feet.
She sets her half-empty bottle of Smithwick’s down on the wooden coffee table with careful precision, like she’s afraid even the smallest sound might give her away.
She pulls her dark cardigan tighter around her chest and, without a word—without even looking back—turns and slips out of the living room, disappearing into the hallway.
I slowly lower the camcorder. The smile fades off my face.
Something weird settles in my chest. A dull, sharp ache I can’t quite place. I press a hand there, half-expecting it to feel like something real, but it’s just my T-shirt.
It hurts. More than it should.
And I miss her.
It’s ridiculous, completely irrational—but I miss her the second her silhouette crosses the doorway and disappears.
I frown, staring at the empty hallway while Levi and Josh’s laughter hums in the background like static.
What the hell is happening to me?
I'm not this kind of guy. I'm not the clingy type.
I grew up in a place where people came and went constantly, where bonds were fragile and temporary.
I learned as a kid that if someone wants to leave, the best thing you can do is hold the door open for them and wish them well with a smile.
I've never held anyone back. I've never chased after someone who chose to walk away.
I've always just let things run their course.
And yet, right now, staring at the spot where she vanished, a violent instinct explodes inside me. The instinct to drop everything, run after her, and ask her to stay. Even just for one more minute.
I take a slow breath, tightening my grip on the camcorder.
Fuck, Selene. What are you doing to me?