An Endless Summer(63)

Adam Henderson, you are a dead man.

I emptied and washed the beer trays, rolled up the beer mats, and wiped down the bar. I turned around and slammed straight into Sean.

“Watch it!” I snapped, rubbing my shoulder.

“Sorry, I just came to empty the ice bucket.” His eyes darted to the container that now lay filled with ice cold water and only a few dismal floating chunks of ice.

“Oh, okay, thanks,” I said, inspecting my shoulder for instant bruising.

Sean had plunged the poolroom and the outside into darkness. Now, only the main light in the bar remained on. I knew once that went out, there was no going back. I should just admit defeat and say, “All right, the jig’s up, you win. Now get out,” but a part of me hated the fact that he was enjoying trying to make me squirm. He was intently watching my reactions, every smile, and every quip. He was expecting me to fail or to concede defeat, which only infuriated me more. It was like a game of chicken or who would fold first.

As I went to the final light switch, my heart leapt in my chest as fear set in. I didn’t know what kind of game I was playing or how completely out of my depth I was getting, but as my hand hovered over the switch I took a deep breath. Sean leaned on the bar looking expectantly at me. His twinkling eyes and confident, relaxed manner made me want to punch him in the face. It was also all I needed to make my decision.

Challenge accepted, Sean Murphy.

I smiled slowly, making sure that I held his gaze long enough before making my next move.

“Ready when you are,” I said as I flicked the switch and plunged the bar into complete darkness.

May God help me!





Chapter Thirty



What was I doing? WHAT was I doing?

My head screamed with every step I took up the staircase. My stomach twisted with every light switch I flicked off as I passed, leaving pitch blackness behind me.

On most nights, I yawned and stretched and casually made my way up the staircase, but tonight each step was a step deeper into trouble, as I was acutely aware of the presence of Sean right behind me. Even in the dark it felt like his eyes were burning into me. I faltered on one of the steps, stopping to gain my balance when Sean walked straight into me.

“Owww!” I said, a bit dramatically.

“Shit, sorry,” he whispered.

I pushed him in the chest. “Why are you whispering?”

There was no one else here. I swallowed deeply. Just me and Sean Murphy walking up to my bedroom.

We continued up the stairs, guided by the light that glowed down from the landing. We made our way to the top, Sean peeling off to the left, me to the right. We both turned, looking at each other, confused.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

Sean frowned. “Where are you going?” He looked towards the door of my Dad’s apartment.

“My room’s this way.” I tilted my head towards the hall.

Sean raised his brows in surprise. “Well, I was going to have a coffee first and unwind but I see you don’t want to muck around.” He smiled a devilish flash of white teeth.

“Oh, umm, did you want some …?” I was mortified by the insinuation that I was eager for him to be in my bedroom.

“It’s all right, I can take a hint.” As he passed me, he deliberately brushed against me as he made his way up the hall.

I glared at his back. He is loving every minute of this, I thought bitterly. I had to break from my scowl as he turned with a questioning look and pointed to a door.

“Keep going, last door on the left,” I said, trying to keep my voice even.

The walk down the narrow hall was the longest of my life. I tried not to meet Sean’s watchful eyes as he stood, waiting by my door, without a care in the world. Was I really so proud as not to admit defeat? To own up to the fact that I was trying to beat him at his own game simply to teach him a lesson? That I knew what he was up to and, nice try, buddy, but I’m calling you out on it? All these thoughts ran rapidly through my mind as I closed the distance between me and Sean and my room. And then another thought entered my mind.

Shit, did I make my bed this morning? Do I have any dirty underwear slung on the back of the chair?

I couldn’t remember. Oh shit, oh shit!

I hoped the bad lighting in the hall would mask the anxiety on my face, the look I knew I was barely concealing.

Sean casually stretched his arms above his head as if he didn’t have a care in the world, before he waved an arm towards my door, beaming. “After you.”

I could hardly believe that a messy room was actually even a concern considering I was about to let Sean Murphy into my bedroom. I calmly twisted the handle and pushed the door open as I would have any other night. If I was to survive this I would just have to play it cool. Any reaction would tip him off. This was a battle of wills. Who would fold first? Who could push the other to their breaking point? And then a thought slammed into me.