“Zane?” The phone crackles and her voice breaks. “Zane. Can you hear me?”
“I can. What’s going on?” There’s loud music but it’s impossible to miss the terror in her voice.
“I messed up. I’m at Nathan’s party. I shouldn’t have come. Why did I leave?”
“Nathan’s?” Fuck. My heart races. Panic takes over me. He wouldn’t— Focus, Zane. “Blair, are you okay?”
“No.” Her voice wavers and my chest burns.
“Where are you?”
“Still at Nathan’s.” A door slams. The music softens and her sobs fill my ears. “I’m at Nathan’s but I’m out front now.”
“Stay there. I’m coming. Don’t go back inside.” I scan the room for anyone sober, and my eyes land on Sierra. She hates driving my truck, but for Blair, she’ll do it.
“Are you alone? Is there anyone there you know? Anyone that can wait with you.”
“No.”
“That’s okay.” I try to remain calm, waving to get Sierra’s attention. “Stay out front. I think you’re only ten minutes from us.”
“I didn’t mean it. I wouldn’t have done it. I—”
“Are you hurt?” I hate cutting her off, but I need to know. “Did anyone hurt you?”
“I don’t know.”
My body heats as my throat constricts. “What—” I croak before clearing my throat. “What do you mean you don’t know? What happened?”
“Please hurry up.”
“I’m on my way. I promise. Can you stay on the phone?”
“No. I’ve got a low battery. I need to save it.”
“Blair—”
“I’m going to walk toward you.”
“Blair,no!” Sierra’s gaze snaps to mine.
“It’ll be faster.”
“Blair, please just stay there.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Blai—” Her phone goes dead just as Sierra and I reach my truck, and I swear the blood drains from my body. “Fuck.”
She has to be okay. She has to.
“Hurry up, Sierra.” I’m jittery as we drive toward Nathan’s. I’ve driven this road a million times before, and yet at this moment, I can’t recognize a single tree. I have no idea how far away we are.
“I’m going the speed limit, Zane,” Sierra’s quick to snap back. “What do you want me to do, break the law?”
“Yes! If it will get us there faster. You didn’t hear her on the call. Something’s wrong and Nathan—” I stop short of admitting my suspicions. I could be wrong. IhopeI’m wrong. “She was angry at me when she left but she still called me. We have to find her.”
“I’m not speeding just because you pissed Blair off. We’re ten minutes away.”
