The steps echo with the sound of her footfalls as she flies up them and into the house. I’m right behind her as she hurries into the kitchen. She disappears into her bedroom and returns with her purse. “I need to find Rebel. I need him to come with me.”
“They’re still looking for the goat.” I snatch up the keys when I spot them on the island.
“That’s right.” She pulls out her phone and dials his number. Putting it on speaker she lets it ring and ring and ring. Then dials him again.
“I’ll try Rogue.” I put my device to my ear, but I don’t get him either.
“I don’t understand. We have good reception out here.” Summer calls him again, her hand shaking.
“Rogue always answers too.” Even when he’s in his head, which he was earlier today. The one time he didn’t was the day he visited his mom, then got blind drunk and kissed that girl Alec paid to seduce him.
He’s been getting along better with his mom though. They all have since West took over her medical care. She’s not here because when she has bad days, she requires ’round the clock supervision. When she asked to stay at the facility and watch the ceremony via videocall, we all agreed that was the best option.
“Shit, I’m going to have to go into town alone.” Her breathing gets fast and shallow, and she leans heavily on the countertop. She looks ill.
“I’ll come with you.”
“No.” She seems to pull it together at that. “You should go back and get ready for tonight. It’s your night. Your celebration. You need to be here.” With that she takes the keys. “I’ll be back with Ro as soon as I can.”
We head outside, and she puts on a pair of shades before climbing into the vehicle. “If you see Rebel, let him know I went into town to get Ro.”
“Okay.”
“I can’t believe I’m going into that hell hole,” she grumbles under her breath as she situates her phone in the cradle and calls Rochelle.
I shut her door and step back from the vehicle.
I rub my hands up and down the hairs that have been standing up on my arms since she announced there’d been an accident.
I’ve been wound up since Nicole’s threats started a couple days ago. It’s the timing. But everyone at this event is a friend or family or has been vetted and vetted again to absolute certainty. There is no danger here and now.
One day I’m going to work out how to live without peering around every corner and jumping at every shadow. Breaking into a cold sweat with every bit of bad news. Struggling to breathe.
I hope.
It seems impossible with Nicole texting me and Alec out there somewhere, most likely plotting revenge.
I’m free now. I’m getting married. Why can’t I let go of this feeling that something isn’t right? That there’s something more coming our way.
I hit video call and bite my lip while I wait for Rogue to answer. I need to see his face and hear his voice.
He picks up, no camera. “Hey, baby, everything okay?”
“I think so.” I frown at my own reflection on the device’s screen. I’d rather see his face than my own eyes, wild with fears and insecurities. “Rochelle was in a collision.”
“Fuck. Was—”
“No one was hurt. Summer’s gone into town to pick her up. We couldn’t get hold of Rebel.”
Rogue is silent.
Did the call drop? “Rogue?”
“Uh, yeah. We’re all still searching for the goat.” He sounds distracted. “But I’ll let Rebel know.”
“Is everything okay?” I study my thumb nail. This doesn’t feel okay, but I’m still coming down from the rush of adrenaline.
“Of course.” He exhales heavily. “Look, I better get back to the search. I love you so much, Ivy.”
