Opening the door, I climb out of my Bronco and wait for what may be another verbal lashing, but she surprises me.
“I’m sorry,” she rushes out. “I was running off anger and hurt last night. It was a bigger deal for you and Cull, what happened, and it was wrong of me to make it about myself.”
We both exhale our relief, and I pull her into a strong hug.
“I feel like I’m losing my best friend,” she mumbles into my chest, her arms tight around my waist. “I’m happy for you and Cullen, I swear. But I also feel like I’m going to be forgotten. Please don’t forget about me.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing, Ella,” I admit, speaking into her dark hair. “I’ve never been in a relationship before. I won’t lie, Cull kind of blinds me sometimes. I’ve wanted him for so long that now that I have him, it’s hard to see anything else. But I’ll try to be better, if you can be patient with me while I figure it all out.”
She hugs me tighter. “Deal.”
We pull apart, and I feel lighter. One less person mad at me. “How’d your calculus exam go? You finished fast if you’re already out here.”
She steps to the side and leans against my SUV. “It wasn’t too bad. A couple of equations went over my head, but I think I did alright.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you last night.” Remorse about it is still churning in my stomach.
“It’s okay. We’re done now, right?”
“Hell yes. Matt is throwing a party tonight. Want to come with Cull and me?”
She smiles sheepishly and shakes her head. “I’m going to go with Hadley…”
Guess Hadley is over Ella’s part in all of this. That gives me some relief. “That’s fine. I’m glad she’s not mad at you for this mess I’ve made.”
The bell rings, signaling the end of the day. Students start pouring out of the building, buzzing for the weekend.
“Yeah. Anyway,” Ella says, “I saw you in your car and just wanted to apologize. I know I can get a little crazy sometimes.”
I want to tell her it must be a double X chromosome trait, but I’m smart enough to keep my mouth shut. “Don’t apologize for your feelings. I’ll do better.”
“Hey, guys.” Cullen’s voice cuts in, approaching with a stormy look on his face, Matt and Archer walking with him.
“I’m gonna go. See you tonight.” Ella cuts a look at Cullen, then hurries to her car.
“Ella’s weird, dude. I can’t believe you fake dated her,” Matt jokes, watching Ella walk away.
Archer nudges him in the ribs. “That was harsh dude.”
Matt opens his mouth to retort but Cullen yanks open the door and slides into my passenger seat, derailing whatever he was going to say.
“We’ll see you guys tonight,” Archer says, yanking Matt away.
“Everything alright? Exam not go well?” I ask, getting behind the wheel.
“Test was easy,” he mutters. “But I got a text from my dad. The mechanic told him it looks like someone tried to cutmy brake lines, and they don’t know how I’ve not gone careening into traffic. I’m glad I took that text seriously and had my truck looked at.”
My heart drops out of my ass. “What? I thought you just needed some basic maintenance.”
He pulls out his phone and shows me a text that the unknown number sent him last night.
It’s a clear threat.
They’re going after the ones I love.
“This is getting out of control.” I hand Cull my phone so he can see my messages, too. As much as I want to delete them so he will never see them, I promised I’d be more transparent.
“My dad is filing a police report and having a camera installed in my truck. It’s pricey, but it'll record even when the truck is off.”
