Her blue dress and white apron.
My oversized jacket and top hat.
I’m not surprised Haven chose a Wonderland theme for Friday night’s costumes. It’s the only book I’ve ever seen her read for fun.
I thought I’d have to persuade her to go to the party, but she seems just as keen as me to shake off midterms—and all the other shit choking us right now.
It’s probably not the wisest choice for me. Barnes was pretty clear when he’d told me to stay away from alcohol, drugs, and trouble. A party is kind of out of the question…but if I limit myself to a max of three drinks and onlyonejoint, I’ll be fine.
I have to be fine if I’m going to watch out for Rooke and keep an eye on Haven. I can’t exactly let loose like I did last Friday at The Hollow Point.
Looks like I’m in my snooze fest era. Thanks for nothing, Rooke.
I unlock the phone again. Tap the VibeFeed icon without putting my earbuds back in. My thumb blurs as I swipe past post after post after post. I don’t put my earbuds back, hoping that the lack of sound will pull me out of this doomscroll sooner.
A girl shuffle dancing in a bikini and bright white sneakers.
Swipe.
A guy pranking his roommate.
Swipe.
A fitness influencer comparing the total calories for different plates of food.
Swipe.
A chime and rattling vibration on the nightstand cuts through the room like a jackhammer. Haven’s phone is on charge next to a glass of water and an empty beer bottle. I roll onto my side and snatch her phone off charge. Why the hell didn’t she put it on silent?
I stare at the lit-up screen.
INCOMING CALL
bastian
She saved his number like some late-night hookup—no last name, no capital letter.
The fuck is he doing, calling her at two in the morning? Then again…isn’t thatexactlywhen he calls people to mess with their heads?
I glare at his name, my thumb hovering over the decline button.
I want to crush the phone. Fuck that. I want to drive to his house, kick down his expensive oak door, and beat his face in until he stops smiling.
But I don’t.
Because I could go straight to jail.
The phone stops buzzing.
I let out a jagged breath, easing my grip on the phone.
Thank fuck. Probably passed out. Or he’s snorting another line of coke?—
Ping.
Haven’s screen lights up with a VibeFeed notification.
She just got a DM…and, big surprise, Rooke’s been messaging her with the same throwaway account he used on me.
