All Chapters of Lay Me Down: Chapter 21 - Chapter 29

29 Chapters

Route 58

Price didn’t let go of her hand until they got back to the boardwalk. Kylee took a moment to put her shoes on, and then he led her away from the hustle of shoppers and visitors to Pacific Avenue, a street behind the boardwalk.“Where are we going?” she asked as the number of pedestrians diminished.“I need some lunch.” He shot her a speculative look. “Do you want something to eat?”Her stomach tightened. “I am hungry,” she admitted.“Well, okay, then. There’s a great sandwich place back here,” he said, shoving his hand in his pocket while the other held on to his bag strap. “It’s out of the way, always busy, and a little cheaper than the boardwalk.”“A place your mom used to take you?”He grinned without looking up. “All the time.”“Have you always lived in Virginia Beach, then?”“Pretty much. We lived out in Chesapeake Bay before.”“Why did you move?” Kylee hoped she wasn’t being too nosy. It had been such a small move, just an hour away. But enough to change houses, school districts

Last Updated : 2025-09-26

First Touch

“What do you think of it?” Price asked.She stood still and let the water wash over her ankles. It tickled as it pulled back, scratching the soles of her feet. “It’s wonderful. I love it.”“Yeah.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. He pried his foot from his flip-flop and dug his big toe into the sand. “It’s great here. I used to come—a lot.”There was something in his tone of voice that caught her attention. Like there was more to the story—and he wanted her to ask. “Yeah?” She matched his strides, walking side by side with Price through the water. “Why used to?”He took so long to answer that she thought he wasn’t going to. “My mom brought us here the first Sunday of every month.”She’d never heard him speak about his mom. She pictured Price and Lisa playing at the beach with a woman. The image in her head matched the other c

Last Updated : 2025-09-26

That Was Weird

“Oh.” Kylee felt the burn start in her neck and creep up to her ears. It wasn’t anything. Just a touch.Apparently that was too much.She took a shallow breath, wanting very much to get as far away from Price and her embarrassing move as possible. Had he thought she was trying to flirt? Express interest? The idea made her feel even more ridiculous. She gestured along the shore. “You know what, I’m just going to walk on ahead. You don’t need to wait up for me. I’ll find a way home.” Even if she had to hitchhike, she wouldn’t rely on him any longer.Shouldering her shoes, Kylee started down the beach. Her eyes burned, and she blinked fast to keep the tears at bay.“Kylee?” Price called after her.She kept going, quickening her pace as the tears broke free. Her chest felt hollow and achy. What had she thought was going to happen here today? That they’d bond and become the best of

Last Updated : 2025-09-30

The Birds and the Bees

“Where are we going now?” Kylee asked as they exited the cafe and started down the sidewalk, moving farther away from the boardwalk. Not that she really cared. Price had taken her hand again, his fingers slowly running over each knuckle. They could go nowhere, as far as she was concerned.“The bike shop.” His eyes lit up. “I haven't been in months. Come on.”He pulled her down the street, turning a corner and stopping in front of a store with a bike tire hanging from the front, spinning in the wind. The name rippled on the awning. It took Kylee a few seconds to make out the words, “North End Cyclery.”“I didn’t know you ride,” Kylee said, squinting up at the flashing spokes. “Actually, I didn’t even know you have a bike.”“I do,” he said, his voice slightly miffed. “I just haven’t ridden it since we moved.”“Why?” Kylee focu

Last Updated : 2025-10-03

Don't Have Sex with Him

Kylee stepped closer, but didn’t see the name of the store.“Kylee? Where are you going?”“Hmm?” She turned her head in Price’s direction without taking her eyes from the store. She didn’t realize she’d crossed the street until the door was right in front of her. She reached a hand out to it.Price grabbed her arm. “Kylee. Are you okay?”“I want to go into this store.”The words had already left Kylee’s mouth before she realized what she’d said. But the instant she heard them, she knew it was true. She had to get inside that store.“Okay.” Price squinted up at the sign. “I don’t know what store it is. I’ve never been in here.”“First time for everything.” She grinned at him before pushing open the door.A bell tied to the top of the door jingled when they walked in. The smoky scent of incense fille

Last Updated : 2025-10-08

Beg for Mercy

Kylee choked back a gasp. “Yeah, okay,” she said, aware of the prickly burning creeping up her face and into her hairline. Hot, it was so hot in here. She resisted the urge to run from the store screaming. She pushed opened the door, annoyed by the jingling bell.Price paced the sidewalk in front of the store. He stopped and stared at her when she appeared, his rigid expression relaxing. “I thought maybe you wouldn’t come out.”“Okay, that lady was weird.” She stepped up to him, stopping a few inches from him and looking up into his face. “But I don’t think she’d get away with kidnapping me.”“What did she say to you?”Kylee shrugged. “Nothing that made any sense. Let’s go back to the beach.”Price found a shady spot where they watched the volleyball game. He lay down in the sand, taking Kylee’s hand and tugging her down next to him. She didn’t try to resist, relishing the warm feeling bubbling up in her chest.“What time is it?” she asked after what seemed like a few minutes but was

Last Updated : 2025-11-07

I Don't Get You

The bus ride home was pretty quiet. Kylee stared out the window, the scenery less exciting now that she knew she was moving closer to home. She turned to Price, who rested with his head against the back of the seat, eyes closed.“Are you sleeping?” she whispered.“No,” he murmured, peeking one eye open.She smiled at him, and he smiled back, which relieved her. “Are you okay?”He shrugged. “Yeah. Tired, I guess.”His hands were clasped in his lap. Gathering her courage, Kylee reached forward and touched

Last Updated : 2025-11-14

Meeting the Enemy

Her parents were eating without her and hadn’t even set a place for her. Her mom poked at a piece of chicken with her fork, her eyes tired and droopy. Kylee paused, surprised to note she’d gotten a haircut. Her dark blond hair hung around her face. But it wasn’t styled, and the cut didn’t flatter her. Bill shoveled his food into his mouth, his perpetual sneer in place. In the kitchen, flies buzzed over the sink full of dirty dishes.“Theresa, you know how to use salt, woman?” He kicked at her chair leg.She lifted her eyes to glower at him. “Next time salt your own food.”Kylee cleared her throat. “Sorry I wasn’t here. I needed to get out for a bit.” She waited for a reprimand,

Last Updated : 2025-11-21

I'm Your Neighbor

She gave it another tug, and then put her body into it. She held the ring with both hands and planted her feet against the wall. She stepped away, dumbfounded. She knew the door was heavy, but she couldn’t be that weak. Someone must’ve locked it after that family went inside.She walked around the steps and peered through the wavy glass of the window. She spotted her family sitting in a pew toward the back. She pressed her face closer, searching for Price.There he was. His dad sat ramrod straight, listening to every word. Lisa had her eyes on something in her lap, and Price was poking her, whispering in her ear. He’d combed his hair down and parted to the side like a choirboy. It made him look younger, but in an angelic sort of way.

Last Updated : 2025-11-28

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