Someone? If this is a prank, it’s not funny.
Nia clicks her tongue. “She’s a bit feisty.”
“Sounds like you,” Mia says under her breath, earning herself a sharp look.
This seems like a bad time for you. I can ask someone else.
Teagan
Don’t you dare. I’ve already turned around to come get you. Call me right now.
“Uh, rude.” Nia’s eyes narrow. “Want me to tell her off?”
“No, just call her. Maybe I did something and forgot to apologize.” I sigh.
She hits the call button with her long nails, and all of us scream when Tristen’s face fills my screen again.
“End the call, end the call.” I try to grab my phone back, but Maya snags it before I can.
“Hello?” she answers on speakerphone.
“Reese? Are you all right?” His voice is low, breathy, and already at the end of his patience. “What the heck is up with the weird text messages?”
Text messages? What is he talking about? I haven’t...
Oh, no.
Please, no.
“I think... I’ve been texting the wrong person,” I mumble through numb lips. Did I somehow fat-finger Tristen’s contact information by mistake? I scrub a hand down my face with a groan.
“Hey there, Tristen, it’s Maya.” She cups the phone, hoping to block out my cry of anguish from the receiver. “We had a bit of a mix-up. We thought you were Reese’s friend Teagan.”
“Wait, Maya? Why do you have Reese’s phone? Where isshe? What accident was she talking about before?” His tone builds in intensity with each question.
“She’s fine. Nothing to panic over.”
“A little late for that,” he growls. A car horn blares through the speakerphone. “Move it, buddy. The light is green.”
Maya clears her throat. “Anyway, we’re sorry for the confusion. You’re off the hook. We’re going to give Teagan a call now.”
“Why? To give Reese a lift back home? I said I was on the way.”
She glances at me, her brown eyes wide as she silently pleads for guidance.
“Tell him not to come,” I grumble through the fingers over my face. At this point, I’d rather walk home than catch a ride with him.
“Too late. I’m already here. Tell her to meet me at the entrance,” he says and ends the call.
Chapter Three
TRISTEN
Fueled by adrenaline, I whip into the closest parking spot near the bazaar, my seat belt locking at the sudden stop. The very thought of Reese in danger transformed me into a driving lunatic. I broke more traffic laws than I care to admit, but it was worth it to arrive in record time.
Music pumps through my half-open windows, and I soak in the calming vibrations. Tension eases from my shoulders as I practice what I’m going to say when I see her. Something kind and full of patience so she doesn’t bite my head off like she loves to do whenever I speak to her.
I’m not sure when it started, but spending time with her is like walking through a mine field. Nobody is more stubborn than that woman. Even when Reese knows she’s 100 percent wrong, she’ll argue until her last breath. And if she’s mad or upset? Lord help me, her words are as sharp as knives. Don’t get me started on how reckless she can be—I’m surprised I haven’t died of a heart attack by now.
