His expression stays flat. “So, we’ll leave tonight.”
“Uh, hello? I still haven’t agreed.” I study him, noticing his expression change. His eyes look darker. His grin is sharper than it was a minute ago.
“Well, you could always go to jail. You’d look great in orange.”
I freeze for a fraction of a second. Suddenly my pulse is hammering in my ears.
Zoe… Lexi… I can’t leave them. Not like this.My hands press against the edge of the booth, gripping harder than I realize, trying to anchor myself.
His eyes don’t waver, and it’s infuriating. Every inch of him radiates the arrogance I hate and fear all at once. He’ll see through me if I flinch. I can’t let him win that easily.
I swallow hard. My voice comes out quieter than I’d like, steady but wary. “So that’s it? If I don’t go with you, you’re calling the cops?”
He leans back, eyes glinting like he’s already won a game I didn’t know we were playing. “You committed a Category B felony. That’ll get you somewhere between one and twenty years. Don’t forget the $15,000 fine.”
My stomach is twisting into knots. I don’t have a choice. He’s taking me, or I’m going to jail.
“How long will we be gone?” I ask. “Lexi will be working. She needs childcare.”
“Lexi… the roommate? So, you’re not the one with the kid? Huh. You give off that vibe.” He cracks a smile that’s just as infuriating as everything else about him.
I’m not in the mood to ask what the fuck that’s supposed to mean, so I continue, “Absolutely not. I’m the cool aunt. But I’m also the babysitter. Ireallyneed to know how long we’ll be gone.”
He studies me, eyes lingering on mine. “A month? Two? It’s hard to say with this type of job.”
“Oh, perfect. I’ll just tell my best friend to pencil me in for ‘indefinite disappearance.’ She’ll love that.”
“A couple of months or twenty years. Take your pick.”
I scoff, sliding out of the booth. “You’re unbelievable.”
I don’t wait for a response. I stand, toss a few crumpled bills on the table, and walk out into the warm evening air.
I don’t look back. He may think he’s won, but I’m not done playing.
Chapter 10
LOCKE
I’m on her heels in seconds. This girl thinks she can keep me guessing, but she couldn’t be more predictable. I’m looking forward to fully unravelling her, piece by piece.
During our walk back to her condo, Arden sends a text to Lexi, letting her know everything’s fine, then goes quiet. The silence between us is heavy. I notice the pause in her step, the subtle shift in her shoulders. She’s holding something back; I can feel it. That gnawing sense of unease creeps into my chest and won’t let go.
Next thing I know, she’s ushering me through the door to her loft and gesturing toward the couch. The cushions sink under me, soft and overstuffed, smothered in mismatched blankets and pillows. It’s not at all what I expected.
The condo itself is modest, with polished concrete floors and gleaming stone countertops that are functional without being too sterile. It’s not cluttered, but it hums with life.
Houseplants spill green across ledges below large windows, and the walls are peppered with crayon drawings and finger-painted flowers hung with strips of clear tape. The industrial touch of exposed pipes and air ducts somehow makes it feel even cozier. Every corner of this home speaks of routine, comfort, and a family trying to carve out something brighter.
A reality show plays on the TV. Teen mothers sobbing into the camera while their boyfriends prove they’re allergic to responsibility. It feels absurdly on-brand for this place. Arden and Lexi must eat it up.
Scanning the space, I realize Lexi is nowhere in sight. I figure she’s keeping her daughter away from me, and I can’t say I blame her. I wouldn’t trust me either. At least one of them has some sense.
When she finally appears, she’s glaring. Unnaturally bright orange hair that fades to blonde at the ends is wrapped in a large bun on her head.
“Locke.” I offer her a hand as I rise from the couch and head in her direction. She doesn’t take it.
“I know who you are. I’m sure you already know my name, too.” It makes sense that she and Arden are best friends; they share the same fiery spirit.
