“That’s good.” Dad refocuses on his phone, clearly not paying attention as he says, “I’ll be back later. Don’t get in too much trouble.”
“You wouldn’t notice if I did,” Zachary jokes before he asks, “Can I get some spending money for it?”
“Do you need some more?” Dad pulls his wallet out of his pocket and shuffles through a stack of cash. “I put money in your checking account. Did you not get it?”
“Yeah. I ordered some stuff, so it’s spent already.”
“No problem. Here’s a little bit for tonight, and I’ll transfer more to your account.” He passes Zachary a few bills. “How about you, Ivy? Have everything you need?”
I nod. Because I don’t want money, a Beamer, or a driver. I want him to be concerned that his underage son is going a few states away without supervision and blowing money like it’ll spawn back out of thin air.
As soon as Dad is out of the kitchen, I look to Zachary. “You know the money isn’t endless right? It will run out if everyone just keeps spending it.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t take anything for granted anymore.” He grabs a soda from the refrigerator and walks away.
I should go after him. Talk to him. But I don’t. Because I can’t hear that he blames me too. So, I stay on the barstool until Anthony walks in.
“Is everything alright, Ms. Walker?” he asks with genuine concern in his voice.
“Yes sir. Just lost in thought.” My response makes me think of Brooke lying about her injury. She’s not the only one faking. I might be okay on the exterior, but I won’t admit that I’m not okay deep down. And as I head up to my bedroom in a house that is full of hired staff, I realize that the hollowness of it is only increasing with time.
It’s dark outside when my phone chimes with a message.
Everett: Obviously you’re not coming since the ball game is over. We won again by the way. And you missed it again.
Shit. I was only going to sleep for a little while then head to the field.
I drop the phone back on the nightstand. I’ll explain and apologize tomorrow. He doesn’t want to hear my bullshit excuse any more than I want to give it. I know I’m a shitty best friend and he deserves better.
Another chime sounds but when I reach over and grab my phone, it’s not from Everett. Or even a regular text. It’s some kind of notification that I’ve never seen previously. Before my eyes,Dare Threemorphs intoDare Threebefore dissolving to be replaced withComplete. Then it all disappears.
What the fuck? I click around but can’t find it. Was it an app or something? The message just… vanished. Before I can figure it out, another appears that statesWhisper if you dare. Old Belgrave Cemetery at midnight—Or beg for Mercy.
And just like the previous message, it disappears.
Brooke: Did you get the message?
Brooke must’ve also or she wouldn’t be randomly asking.
Ivy: Yes, I got it. Who is sending it and why is it coming to me?
Brooke: I don’t know who. None of us do. Meet me at the cemetery next to the old high school and I’ll explain the little I know. Mercy has always been shrouded in secrecy. So, we’re all going in blind.
Ivy: Yay.
What else am I supposed to say? I don’t want any part of this, but I have to admit I’m a little curious. If anything, it’ll give me a chance to talk to Brooke about who’s hurting her. I don’t think it was Luca. But I wouldn’t put anything past him. Or even Micah. Again, everyone is putting on a show. It’s just a question of when they let the mask slip that you see behind it.
After I twist my hair into a ponytail, I change into running shorts and a tank. And the entire time, I think about Luca being there. His smug face, what he did to my car, and him knowing he got to me. Again.
As soon as I slide behind the wheel of the BMW, it makes me miss my Corolla. Yeah, the new car is great. It’s clean, shiny, and even has that new-car scent. But I wantmycar. It was the last familiar thing in my life. And Luca Montclair crushed it to pieces.
My foot hits the accelerator with renewed animosity. Because if anything, I can ruin his night and get a little payback.
24
LUCA
Brooke: She’ll be there.
