“Oh,” I say.
She hesitates, watching me closely.
“That’s it?” she asks, eyebrows knitting. “I know Julian has had a very visible crush on you for years, so I didn’t want it to throw you off that he’s suddenly preoccupied.”
I force a smile that doesn’t quite work. “I mean. Good for them? Babe, Julian likes almost everyone. I’m pretty sure he has had a crush on all of us, including Ryan.”
That earns a slight smile from my best friend. “He’s kind of a man whore, isn’t he?”
“He is, but I’m glad you told me. I haven’t been really good at keeping up with everyone.”
Maeve studies me, too perceptive for my own good. “You feel like you’re on the outside, don’t you?”
The truth hits too close to the surface. I look down at my hands instead. “Everyone was quiet on the drive like they’re afraid I’ll break if they act normal, and everything keeps happening without me. I get it, though.”
“You’re not out of the loop, okay? You have me, and nobody wants to talk about their pathetic drama when you have something serious going on. Don’t define this into something negative; we’re all being respectful. Penelope knows this, otherwise she would be bragging about this hookup from the rooftops. You know how she gets.”
That makes me smile, and it helps relieve my anxiety a little.
She continues talking about normal things, and I try hard to listen, but I can’t stop thinking about the detective. I have a gut feeling they’re resting the case until Cody wakes up.
“What is it?” Maeve asks after realizing that I’m zoning out.
“What?”
Her eyes soften. “You look…”
I inhale, understanding her gestures. I mutter, “The detective didn’t seem concerned. He said that once Cody wakes up, we’ll know what happened.”
Maeve scoffs. “So, they’re just going to brush off his case because they think he’ll wake up and remember what happened?”
“Exactly, and it’s bothering me.”
Maeve widens her eyes. “Yeah, I’m upset hearing it too. That is bullshit.” She grabs her steering wheel, inhaling. “So, what’re you going to do?”
I glance at her. “I don’t know.”
Maeve shakes her head. “We can start with the asshole who lives on Nob Hill.”
“Nob Hill?”
“Yeah, the one who clearly didn’t want us there.”
Chapter 7: Theo
"Shewenttothefucking cops!" Beckett shouts, slamming the front door behind him hard enough to rattle the room.
I stand from the couch. "What do you mean she went to the cops?"
His face is twisted as he spits out, "His girl — she texted the burner that she was going to the police, and I didn't believe it, so I drove by the nearest station to the medical center. Guess who I saw walking out."
I take two measured steps forward, entering his space. He's about an inch shorter than I am. But it’s just enough.
His eyes flick up. "What the fuck are you—"
I grab his face before he can finish, fingers digging into his jaw. "She texted you, and you didn't think to mention it?"
He shoves my hand off and stumbles back, then steps forward again, trying to match me. "There's a reason I don't tell you shit, Theo. You would've fucked everything up."
