Burning Daylight

Chapter 1 Juliette

Seventeen Years Old

Rosebrook Falls is cursed.

At least, that’s what the legends say.

Beverly has always told my three brothers and me stories of the town’s lore.

She’d whisper about how the actual buildings were poured on top of broken hearts and buried secrets. How two people fell in love despite being promised to others, and how it ended in despair.

I hadn’t believed her tales. Not really, anyway. Until she told me one of them was a Calloway, and the other a Montgomery.

That part I believed.

Loyalty means everything in this family, so it makes sense the generations before felt the same.

She’s never said it specifically, but I imagine she’s talking about the actual founders of the town: Theodore Montgomery and my great-great-grandfather Alabaster Calloway.

A construction juggernaut and a real-estate tycoon.

They had a deal. They’d build Rosebrook Falls together, sign the WayMont Compact Agreement to make sure everything was split fifty-fifty, and then they’d keep the power and influence in the family by marrying off their kids to each other.

So, when Theodore’s son Kenneth went and found himself a Voltaire girl to fall in love with instead? Alabaster took it personal.

The Voltaire girl wound up dead, and accusations were tossed out like candy on Halloween.

I don’t know if there’s any truth to it, but I do know that Marcus’s wife Eleanor was a Voltaire before she wound up dead, too.

My brother Alex loved to tell Beverly’s tales anytime we’d go camping. He’d jump up on his soapbox, creating visions of death and destruction where civil hands were stained with civil

blood and fierce love went to die.

I loved watching him in his element, acting out scenes and capturing his audience. Sometimes I’d even fantasize about writing novels with him starring in their adaptations.

To this day, Alex swears they’re all true stories, but considering they were told with a flashlight under his chin and his voice wavering like the spirit of our great-great-grandfather was about to jump out and snatch us, I don’t really trust his claims.

My eldest brother Paxton says Beverly was creating tragic fairy tales to explain why our parents are constantly at each other’s throats.

It makes sense, I guess.

To be honest, it’s been years since I’ve given much thought to the Rosebrook Falls wives’ tale at all.

Today, though, it’s stuck in my brain.

Maybe because Paxton just announced his engagement to Tiffany Heartinger, the oil heiress from Pennsylvania, and while everyone else is gazing at them with heart eyes, I can tell Paxton doesn’t give a damn one way or another.

For him, it’s just another business deal. Strengthening the family ties and all that.

But seeing him so resigned to his fate has me thinking maybe Beverly is right, after all.

Maybe the town is cursed.

Either way, I’m thankful to get away from the celebration, even if it is because Mother sent me on a wild goose chase.

Freaking Lance.

I’m going to punch him in the throat when I find him.

It’s just like his dumb ass to disappear, and somehow, whenever he goes missing, it’s always me who has to track him down.

I’ve checked all the usual spots, everywhere from Verona University’s small college campus to Fortune’s Fool, the local theater in the town square.

But my troublemaker of a brother is nowhere to be found.

So now I’m at my last resort, hiking up to the tallest spot in Rosebrook Falls: Upside Down Rock, a secluded area hidden off the overgrown trails in Verona County Park.

My phone rings as I’m trekking the steep hill, but I already know it’s either Paxton or Mother, so I don’t answer.

As I walk the weed-filled and dusty path, nostalgia hits me in the center of my gut.

For my thirteenth birthday, Lance taught me how to sneak out and come here. Said it was “a rite of passage for a teenaged Calloway.”

He claims the area calms him.

I think it’s his getaway spot for whenever our dad pisses him off.

There’s a large boulder perched on the cliff’s edge, its surface the size of a small SUV. We’d always carefully climb on top of it, lying with our feet toward the sky until the blood rushed to our heads and we thought we’d either faint or fall.

It was exhilarating…and dangerous.

I can’t remember the last time Lance had that carefree look in his eyes; the way he did back then.

Nostalgia hits even harder when I stop in front of the rock, and I place my hands on my hips and glance around.

Rosebrook Falls itself sits in a valley, and this is the best lookout. Everything is visible, from VU on the east to the train tracks that skirt along the edges of the HillPoint in the west, closest to the cliff.

It’s quiet. Peaceful. Serene.

And Lance is definitely not here.

I soak in the gorgeous orangey reds and pinks of the sunset sky and my phone vibrates again, pulling me out of my reverie. Sighing, I grab it from my back pocket and open the group chat with my brothers.

The Calloway Kings (and Queen)

Alex:

It’s actually impressive how pissed Mom looks. Me:

That’s just called resting bitch face.

Alex:

Well, it’s EXTRA today. She’s staring at the front door like she can summon Lance from the underworld. It’s fucking eerie.

Paxton:

She’ll live. Jules, any luck?

And cue the guilt. It’s not like I lost Lance, but not being able to find him makes me feel responsible.

Me:

Nope. Lance if you’re reading this just know you’re dead to me.

Alex: Samesies. I snort.

Alex:

Did you check the theater? He’s been banging the lead in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. My nose scrunches up in distaste.

Me:

Ew, isn’t Heidi the lead?

Alex: Yep. Me: Gross.

Alex: I KNOW! I SAID THE SAME THING.

Me:

Idk, I’ve checked everywhere. I’m tired, sweaty, and Mom’s gonna murder me when she sees what I did to this dress. I actually changed out of it before leaving, but they don’t need to know that.

Alex:

Like everywhere, everywhere? � � � I know what he’s asking. He wants to know if my “everywhere” includes the HillPoint.

Me:

Negative. I’m not trying to get shot.

Alex:

Please. They don’t shoot people over there, they shank em. Paxton: Where are you now, Jules?

Me:

Being your resident park ranger.

Paxton: You’re at Verona Park? Don’t hang out there after dark.

Me:

Okay, DAD.

I roll my eyes at Paxton’s overprotective streak, but I won’t lie, it warms my chest a little. Technically, Verona Park is neutral ground, but the park’s director owes his job and his annual bonus to my dad, so the odds skew in our favor.

Alex:

Hate to see you mauled by a bear and land on the cover of The Rosebrook Rag.

Paxton:

There are worse things than bears and tabloids. Get home before dark.

Alex:

Yeah…like getting shanked by a Montgomery goon.

I spin so my back faces the cliff and Rosebrook Falls sprawls behind me, then snap a picture of me flipping them off with a sarcastic grin.

After I pocket my phone, I stroll to the rock, climbing on and twisting until I’m lying with my legs above my head, my spine pressed to the stone. My heart flutters as I lean back, my hair blowing in the breeze at the cliff’s edge. Adrenaline kicks in, just enough to feel that soaring, reckless rush, and I close my eyes, breathing in the scent of red birch trees that are so Connecticut-coded, it makes my chest ache.

A twig snaps from somewhere behind me, and my stomach jumps into my throat. I squeeze my eyes tighter, hoping it isn’t a coyote or a bear.

I swear, if I die up here and prove Paxton right, I’ll come back and haunt this place forever.

“Lance?” I call out hopefully.

There’s no reply.

A few seconds, and then there’s another noise.

Footsteps, I realize.

I jerk too fast, trying to scramble off the rock, but instead of sitting upright, I slip entirely.

Air punches out of my mouth as my body slides, and my fingers claw at the smooth boulder, but there’s nothing to grip onto. A scream tears from my mouth as my legs flip over my head, nails breaking against stone as I try to find something anything to grab ahold of.

Suddenly, something clutchesmy arm, yanking me back.

I crash onto the ground hard, breath knocked forcefully from my lungs.

My eyes are squeezed shut, and my heart pounds in my ears, so it takes a second to realize the earth isn’t as solid as it should be.

And that it’s breathing

It’s warm, and malleable, and my lids fly open definitely a person.

Our eyes meet, my chestnut browns locked on icy blues.

Chapter 2 Juliette

It’s a guy.

His body is all hard lines; lithe, lean muscles that are taut beneath me, and thick fingers that dig into my waist, making it impossible to tell if he’s about to pull me closer or push me away.

I shift without thinking, and he grunts. It’s a low, raspy noise that sends a flare of heat through me. I jolt back, my hands scraping the gravel as I scramble to my feet. My heart slams against my chest, and I blink down at him.

He’s sprawled on the ground, and where I’m sure I look like a deer in headlights, he looks suave.

Relaxed.

Like nothing in the world could bother him.

A lock of brown hair so dark it almost looks black falls across his forehead, and he brushes it out of his eyes. A tattoo winds from his veiny hand up over his wrist, disappearing beneath the sleeve of his blue hoodie, the black ink stark against his pale skin.

Heat slams into me, flaring through every nerve ending like I’ve been electrocuted.

He’s hot.

Of course he is.

I nearly die, and the universe rewards me with a jawline sharp enough to finish the job. Typical.

The remnants of adrenaline makes my hands shake. There’s no doubt that he just saved my life, so that must be why I can’t. Stop. Staring.

I expect him to stand up. To say something, or I don’t know do anything, but he doesn’t.

Instead, he grins. Dimples indent his angular cheeks as he blinds me with his smile, and his jawline somehow sharpens further.

Ugh, of course even that looks good.

When his gaze drags over me, my skin flushes.

I roll my shoulder back and wince when a pulsing ache stabs at the joint, but I ignore the pain, flattening my expression, like he doesn’t faze me at all.

He stretches out, ankles crossed, leaning back on his elbows. His hoodie falls open just enough to flash a white tee and a silver chain, and his hair is so artfully messy, there’s no way he doesn’t spend as much time as me getting ready in the morning.

His grin turns into a full-blown smile as I catalogue his features.

Like there’s nothing he’d rather be doing than getting picked apart by my gaze.

“Who are you?” I ask, lifting my chin in that practiced Calloway fashion.

He quirks a brow, his tongue swiping across his lower lip. “I’m the guy who just saved your life. Who are you?”

I frown. I can’t tell if he’s being sarcastic or genuinely clueless. “You don’t know?”

Regret hits the second the words leave my mouth. I sound cocky, but I’m not trying to.

It’s just unusual for someone in Rosebrook to not know Craig and Martha’s only daughter.

He stands, brushing off his jeans, that grin of his lifting higher like I’m the most amusing thing in the world. “Wow. Gorgeous and humble.”

“No, that’s…” I shake my head, color flushing up my neck. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

He slips his hand through his obnoxiously perfect hair, mussing it up even further, and maybe I was wrong about how much time he spends on it.

Does it just naturally fall like that? God, where is the justice?

He steps closer. Too close, actually the toes of his boots brushing against my Adidas.

My neck cranes as I look up at him, and my stomach tightens.

He’s tall. I’m five-nine, and yet he towers over me.

If I were to write him as a character in my stories, there’s not a single physical attribute I would change.

The only logical conclusion is that he’s a complete douchebag. The world wouldn’t be biased enough to give him a good personality and make him one of the hottest guys on the planet. That defies the laws of physics or something.

He leans in, and my stupid heart skips.

“I think the words you’re looking for are ‘thank you,’” he murmurs.

For some reason I can’t force the words out. Maybe because I don’t like strangers telling me what to do. I get enough of that at home.

“You’re not from here,” I deflect.

He sighs, spinning a ring on his finger with his thumb. “That obvious?”

Something about the way his voice dips in defeat makes me feel bad, so I flash him a tiny grin. “A little.”

“At least you’re honest.”

My gaze drops to his tattoos and then runs back up. He’s unpolished in a way that seems so effortless, it looks manufactured. Rough around the edges, like he could try harder if he wanted but doesn’t care to.

He’s the kind of guy my parents would hate.

Unfortunately, that makes him infinitely more attractive.

“I appreciate it,” I force out.

He cocks his head. “Appreciate what?”

I throw my hands up. “Did you want a thank-you or not?”

“Are you always so combative?”

“Are you always this insufferable?”

His smirk spreads, dimples and all. “This is fun, getting to know each other like this.”

I scoff. “I do not want to know you.”

“Ouch, Princess.” He grips his chest and staggers like I’ve wounded him. “Straight to the heart. Ever heard of etiquette?”

Color blooms on my cheeks. I’ve been in etiquette classes since I was old enough to hold a fork, but I am not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

Who the hell does he think he is, anyway, judging me?

There’s just something about this guy. His energy rubs across my skin like sandpaper, leaving me raw and exposed.

“Don’t call me princess,” I snap.

“Whatever you want…Princess.” He says it slowly, like he’s tasting the word.

I flush deeper.

“Do you always blush so easily?”

“It’s not like I can control it.” My hands fly up to cover my face. “You know, you ask a lot of questions.”

The stranger tsks and steps closer.

And for whatever reason, I stand still as he does.

“Don’t do that,” he utters softly, peeling my fingers from my cheeks. “It’d be a shame to hide something so gorgeous.”

My stomach flutters again, and I don’t like the feeling.

“That sounds like something a serial killer would say,” I tell him. “Are you a criminal?”

“Depends. Is it a crime to want to know a pretty girl?”

“Maybe,” I reply. “You’re attractive. And you’re a guy. Statistically, I’m pretty sure that makes you a red flag.”

His eyes spark with mischief. “So you do think I’m hot.”

My mouth pops open, but words trip and stumble on my tongue until I finally settle on, “I have a boyfriend.”

Awesome, Juliette. Real smooth.

Guilt hits me, because this is the first time I’ve thought of Preston since meeting this stranger.

“Lucky guy,” he says, unfazed. “Do you yell at him for no reason, too, or am I special?”

“I’m not yelling.”

“Right. My bad.” He grins. “For the record, I think you’re hot, too. Especially when you’re mad.”

His compliment hits me like a shot of dopamine.

I narrow my gaze, biting the inside of my lip. “Yeah, well… Don’t let it give you a big head.”

He leans in. “Too late. You already accused me of attempted murder, and that level of confidence does something to me.”

Okay, now I’m trying really hard to keep the smile off my face. “It’s called being aware of my surroundings.”

“Oh, is that what it is?”

The grin breaks through. I can’t help it. He’s charming, and I don’t remember the last time somebody talked to me without an ulterior motive.

“You really don’t know who I am?” I check again.

He quirks a brow. “Has it crossed your mind that maybe you should know me?”

“Fine. What’s your name?”

He stays silent.

“Seriously? You’re not gonna tell me?”

He just smiles, slow and maddening, and rolls his lips together.

“Okay, see? That’s exactly what a serial killer would do.”

“If I planned to kill you, I’d give you an alias, not keep a name from you altogether.”

“If you killed me, the name wouldn’t matter.”

He shrugs. “Yeah, but what if something went wrong and you got away? Can’t have you name-dropping me to cops. Gotta protect the brand.”

I laugh. “The brand of a serial killer?”

“It goes without saying, I’d be infamous by the end of my reign.”

My eyes narrow, even as my lips twitch. “You’re kind of irritating.”

“I’ve been called worse.” He smirks. “Criminal, for example.”

I wave my hand in his direction like he’s smoke I’m trying to swat away. “Well, if the jumpsuit fits…”

“What happened to ‘innocent until proven guilty’?”

“You won’t even tell me your name. You appear out of nowhere, in the middle of the woods, wearing baggy clothes and covered in tattoos.” I give him another once-over. “You definitely look like you’re hiding something.”

He lifts his arms, palms up, the picture of surrender, and that wicked smile still on his face. “You’re right. I do sound dangerous. Feel free to frisk me.”

My stomach explodes with butterflies.

I cross my arms, trying to look unaffected. “That’s probably how you lure all your victims in.”

“Objection,” he says playfully. “Leading the witness.”

“We’re not in court.” I eye him. “And you’d be a terrible lawyer.”

“Says who?”

“Says me.”

He tilts his head, studying me like I’m a riddle.

“What?” I ask, wary.

“Nothing, you just don’t look like a lawyer.”

“And what exactly does a lawyer look like?”

His gaze flicks over me, slow and unapologetic. “Not like you.”

“I feel like I should be offended. For all you know, I’m planning to be one.”

His smile deepens. “Guess I should behave, then.”

“Little late for that, Trouble.”

He shakes his head in a you’re cute when you’re mad kind of way and then pins me with a stare.

I cross my arms again and tap my fingers on the inside of my elbow. “Fine, don’t tell me.

What’s in a name, anyway?”

“Exactly,” he says, like I’ve just made his case for him.

“But I don’t talk to strangers.”

“Aw, come on, Princess, don’t be like that.” He chuckles, and the sound is low and teasing.

It hits me right in the chest.

I make a face. “Don’t call me Princess, Trouble.”

Right on cue, my phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out, flashing it at him with a grin.

“I’m leaving. Saved by the text.”

He smirks. “Bold move, announcing your escape plan to your alleged murderer.”

I roll my eyes.

He slips his hands into his pockets again, his tattooed forearms flexing just enough to be distracting. “Maybe I’ll see you around? Like tomorrow, same time?”

My heart flutters. “Doubtful. I don’t come up here often.”

“I can wait.”

“Great. I’ll be sure to avoid the area, then.”

He walks back a few spaces until he’s perched on the edge of the rock he saved me from.

“Nah. I think you’re bluffing.”

“And why would I do that?”

“How should I know? Maybe so you don’t have to admit how wildly attracted you are to me, despite your boyfriend.”

I laugh. “Okay, I’m really leaving now.”

“Sure thing, Princess.”

Something flashes in the distance, quick but undeniable. I spin toward it, squinting, but don’t see anything.

Still, I’ve lived here long enough to know better than to stick around. What if it was one of those idiot paparazzi for the Rag?

“You shouldn’t get too comfortable out here, you know.” I twist toward him.

“Too late,” he says, settling back with ease, his eyes perusing me. “I already like the view.”

I fidget, pretending like his words aren’t setting my nerves on fire. “Whatever. Bye, Trouble.”

He nods. “See you when you come back.”

“You’ll be waiting a while.”

“Guess I’ve got a lot of daylight to burn, then.”

“I don’t even know what that means.” I purse my lips. “But have fun with that.”

And then I force myself to turn around and walk away. If I don’t, I’m a little worried I’ll spend the whole night fake arguing with the guy.

Was this flirting? It felt like flirting.

“I guess you can thank me later!” he calls out to my back.

A smile breaks across my face.

Damnit.

My heart pounds all the way to my car, adrenaline pumping through my veins.

Who the hell was that?

When I’m back home, my pulse still thrums at the mere thought of him, so I pull out my notebook of stories and start to write.

The forest had no name; at least, not one spoken aloud. Travelers said it whispered secrets if you listened long enough, but it had never told her tales. She wasn’t expecting to find anyone there, least of all him. The rogue on the rock, inked in runes she couldn’t read, with eyes like an ocean and a grin that could unravel kingdoms.

He called her Princess with a mocking bow, as if he already knew how the story of them would end.

She told herself he was cursed. Or maybe a thief. But regardless, she found herself wanting to know him.

I don’t go back to Upside Down Rock the next day.

Or the next.

I do, however, spend way too much time looking for trouble in an ocean of familiar faces.

But I don’t see him again.