I groan, clicking off my phone and dumping it back in my bag. I know there’s no avoiding this. The girls would sooner come over here than let me skip out on Crime Night without a solid reason—and there is no way I’m letting them know just how much this swatting has been affecting me.Pushing past the fear, I twist the doorknob and take my first step past the threshold of my apartment. My breath freezes in my lungs, and I strain my ears for anything that might sound off.When no random assassin drops from the ceiling to murder me, I let myself take another step forward, and then another, until I make it all the way down the hallway and into the elevator. My body moves like a robot, but at least it’s functioning.It’s only when I get down to the lobby that I stall again.There’s a man in a black hoodie and black face mask parked on one of the couches by the community pool table. Most people wouldn’t give him a second glance, but I do. Because I recognize him just by his eyes.My platfor

“The haunted house went up in flames and multiple dead bodies were found inside. All the deceased were graduated students from the local high school. However, upon closer inspection, it was found that the deceased did not die of smoke inhalation but instead murder.”“That’s kind of a smart idea,” Lee pipes up, “using the fire to hide your tracks.” She tilts her head at the TV screen, causing her black French braids to sway as she scrutinizes the scene before us.“Yeah, it’s a pity it didn’t work,” Stevie laments, taking a large sip of her rosé.“A bystander did note that three motorcycles were seen leaving the scene of the crime, and it was even believed that they were wearing Halloween masks not unlike those of popular horror movie villains.”“You know, those Ghostface masks are pretty hot,” I chime in, reaching forward to grab a cookie from the table.“Right,” Lee hums in agreement, holding out an empty hand and twinkling her fingers.I plop the cookie in her hand before going back

I check the timestamp to see he sent it a little over an hour ago and gnaw on my lower lip, contemplating whether or not to text him back.We exit into the lobby and head out into the chilly night air. The valet brings Parker’s blue Porsche around, and I stare at it with knowing dread.“I’m going in the back, aren’t I?”Parker places a hand on my shoulder and gives me a wry smile. “You are the shortest.”I let out a deep sigh as he shifts the passenger seat forward so I can crawl into the obscenely small backseat. Honestly, I don’t understand why these cars even bother having back seats.The passenger seat locks back into place, and Parker and Syd get into the car.“Comfy?”I give Parker a sugary-sweet smile. “Positively cozy.”Parker takes off, revving the engine as he races through the streets. Sydney lets out a hiss at his speed, but he just reaches over and rests his hand on her knee.I look down at my phone again, at Hersonr’s message. He’d said he drove me because Lee asked him

“Wait,” I call out, but I’m too late. She hangs up and the music returns to my speaker. “Fuck,” I curse under my breath as I flick on my blinker and switch lanes before making a U-turn. My foot presses harder on the accelerator as I hit the redial button.It rings once before she sends me to voicemail.This woman is going to kill my sanity.“You have a new text message; would you like me to read it?” my car asks.“Yes.”“Ok.” There’s a short pause. “I’m totally fine. Seriously. Smiley face emoji. Sorry. Praying hands emoji.” Another pause. “Would you like to reply?”“No,” I grind out as I work my jaw back and forth.There would be no getting through to her. She is too damn stubborn for her own good. Always hiding behind that perfectly pink exterior.It takes me twenty minutes, but I finally swing into a guest parking spot beside her apartment complex. The engine barely shuts off before I’m out of the car and stalking to the entrance.There isn’t even a doorman at this time of night to

I toss my black duffle into my closet before shutting the door, hoping that she won’t go snooping.“There’s a fresh towel under the sink,” I explain to her as I grab my toothbrush from the bathroom.It’s only when I sling my own towel over my shoulder and pick up my gym bag that she snaps out of her daze.“Wait, where are you sleeping?”“Parker’s.”“But doesn’t he—”“He’s in Bahrain for F1. McKinley Motors invited him and Syd. They won’t be back till late next week.”“Oh.” She nibbles on her lower lip.“Need anything else?”“No.” The word is quiet, and it takes me a moment to see the discomfort swimming beneath her skin.It’s not my place to push her, though. I managed to get her here. She’s safe. My job is done as far as I am concerned. I don’t need to get any more involved in her life.“’Kay. Night.”“Wait.” Her word stops me at the threshold of the door.I throw her a tired look over my shoulder. “Yes?”“Do you have tea?”“Tea?”“You know, that beverage made when you soak dried lea