Free Midnight Runes (The Bestowed Ones) by Celeste Buie Page B

walked past him as he changed his shirt after gym. It’s a good-sized one between his shoulder blades.”
    “What is it?” Elyse asked.
    Elyse seemed astonished, but I cut her some slack. I would have been too if I hadn’t suspected Trevor also had a tattoo. What a bizarre coincidence they both had tattoos. This convinced me even more that Trevor really did want to hide the tattoo. This was yet another link connecting them, but this was one I didn’t need. I already knew they knew each other.
    “Wasn’t close enough to see specifics and wasn’t going to ask him to let me look at it. It looked tribal, though.”
    “How hot is that?” Elyse responded. I knew she was scheming a way to find out what it was.
    I wondered how Trevor and Landon could decide what to have on their bodies forever. I wasn’t opposed to tattoos, but there were so many options to choose from and locations to place them. I didn’t feel strongly enough about anything to have it permanently drawn on my body. I had lots of interests, sure, and there were some really cool designs, but nothing I was truly passionate about. Perhaps if I had experienced something life-changing I’d feel different.
    “Do you want to organize a pool party, Elyse?” I teased.
    “That’s a great idea. Maybe we can rent out the community center?”
    I rolled my eyes.
    “I wonder what his parents do. Did you see his car?” Zach asked.
    “Of course. He dresses really nice, too. Understated even. I think he likes Brynn,” Elyse said.
    I cleared my throat and shot them a look, hoping they took the hint and shut up.
    “Just sayin’. He’s intriguing. He’s cute. He’s new,” Elyse added.
    “She doesn’t date boys in her grade,” Zach mocked.
    “Okay, seriously, if you don’t stop I’m going to turn the radio so loud there will be no way to gossip about anyone.”
    “Look who doesn’t want to talk about this,” Elyse teased.
    They laughed and changed the subject.
    • • •
    Elyse turned into the Blake’s parking lot and drove to the far corner where there were plenty of open spots for the rest of our group. We waited in the car until they parked.
    As soon as I opened my door, the familiar fragrance of fall hit me. I breathed in the crisp air, noting the cinnamon and sugar permeating the entire area. Gusts of wind pushed fallen leaves along the ground, and gravel crunched beneath our feet as we walked to the front entrance. Puffy white clouds intermittently covered the sun, temporarily dropping the temperature.
    I spotted Landon standing by the ticket counter as we approached. It dawned on me that I’d found the reason Elyse stalled earlier.
    “Did you invite him?” I asked her under my breath.
    “Of course. Wouldn’t it be nice for him to make some friends? You agreed that he’s a normal guy, and he gets along great with the guys. It’s his last year of high school too, and he just moved here, so the more he socializes, the better.”
    I gave her a warning look, not buying her innocent act. She quickly shook it off and gave him a welcoming smile. “Hey, Landon, glad you made it.”
    “Thanks. Sorry I didn’t drive out with you. I had some errands to do out this way, and I wouldn’t have made it back in time. I should have thought to give you my number.”
    “No problem. I figured you changed your mind.”
    “Nah, you said I couldn’t miss this experience.”
    “Hey, what’s up, man?” Zach greeted him.
    “Good to see you, Zach.”
    Now it was my turn. It wasn’t Landon’s fault Elyse was so pushy, but he was pretty pushy himself. “Hey,” I said, imagining sitting in close proximity to him the entire way out here.
    “Hi, Brynn.”
    We walked into a small red and white barn to purchase our tickets. They gave us orange wristbands that allowed access to the maze, petting farm, haunted house, and the haunted hayride at dusk.
    The others caught up with us while we took turns posing for pictures to commemorate the last cider mill trip