Laz
“Sorry, Laz.” Margie checks her clipboard. “Your sister has revoked your special permission to enter OV.”
“C’mon, Margie. You know me. I won’t cause any problems. Sabs is just being dramatic.” I try to bargain with her, tightness forming in my chest. “If I could just see her?—”
“Sorry, kid,” Margie cuts me off, picking up her magazine and reclining in her chair. “Rules are rules. Now scram before you meet Big Billy.”
I look around. “Who’s Big Billy?”
She nods at her gun. “That’s Big Billy.”
Margie may look like a sweet older lady, but she can kick serious ass, making me both grateful that Faye and Sabs are well-protected while being annoyed that she won’t bend the rules. Maybe Cole had better luck.
“Can you at least tell her I swung by?” I give her my best puppy dog eyes.
Margie plops her turquoise Crocs adorned with charms on her desk then makes a shooing motion. “I can, but I don’t think it’ll make a difference.”
“Thanks anyway.” I slouch away, defeated, pulling out my cell to let the guys know.
ME
Sabs is still avoiding me. No access to OV.
COLE
I saw Faye on her way to class. She refused to speak to me. The Stellas are with her 24/7. We can’t get her alone.
Yet another blow.
It’s hard enough that Faye walked out on us, but Sabs shutting me out too has made the last few days even more difficult. If I can just make her listen, maybe we have a chance of making things right with Faye.
I decide to bite the bullet and call Beckett, my oldest brother. I would’ve called Forrest, but he’ll be underwater snorkeling or in a completely different time zone right now, so Mr. Serious will have to do.
Calling my parents isn’t an option. I don’t want them to worry or ask why Sabs isn’t speaking to me, not when they tasked me with taking care of my little sister. That and they’d get excited at the prospect of me finding my scent match. Mom would probably start wedding planning and knitting clothes for future grandbabies before I had a chance to explain the situation. When I tell them about Faye, I want everything to be perfect.
“Laz? What’s wrong? What happened?” Beckett’s initial confusion upon answering the phone turns to panic. He’s seriously uptight, and it doesn’t take much to tip him over the edge.
“It’s not an emergency.” I roll my eyes. “Have you heard from Sabs?”
“I spoke to her yesterday to discuss my firm sponsoring her volleyball team,” he replies stiffly. I can imagine thedisapproving look on his face. “She did mention you weren’t on speaking terms, but I didn’t ask why. I’m not getting involved in your silly sibling squabbles. Especially not right now; I have an important meeting due to start any minute, and I don’t need any distractions or theatrics from you.”
“But—”
“No but’s, Laz! You’re both at SVU!” I have to pull my phone away from my ear, he’s shouting so loud. “Figure it out!”
The line goes dead.
Well, calling him was a fat load of no good. At least he confirmed that Sabs is alive and well.
REN
Delilah whisked her away in a golf cart before I could catch her after class. She looked upset. Meet over coffee to talk tactics?
I sigh in frustration. Every fiber of my being wants to be by Faye’s side. Knowing that she’s upset and I can’t be there to make her smile is tearing me up.
I tilt my head, eyeing the familiar face jogging toward me in yoga pants. I blink twice to make sure I’m not imagining it. Nope, that’s her red ponytail, swishing in the breeze.
“Sabs!” I call out to her. She looks in my direction, then turns her head away to snub me. “Come on, Sabs! Just hear me out, okay?”
