“And I want you to go home,” she hisses, elbowing me out of the way.
“I don’t care what you want. I’m coming to New York with you on Friday,” I insist, sidestepping in front of her again.
She folds her arms over her chest and lifts her chin defiantly, her eyes gleaming in the darkness.
“It’s not your scene, Lewis. And anyway—I don’t need your help. I know you hate the idea of trusting me, but that’s your only option. You don’t get to choose.”
“It’s my—”
“It’s your car.” She nods, her voice level. “I get that. I’m just trying to protect you and yourreputation. That’s all.”
I blink. I don’t like how much that rattled me—or how steady she looks saying it.
I’m beyond mad at the clown who did this to me, but I force my jaw to unclench. I need to keep my cool with Firebird if I want her help.
“Don’t think you know me, Amy Hitman—because you don’t. At all. Just because I try to do things by the book doesn’t mean I’m not prepared to go nuclear if it means getting my Dodge back.”
Great job cooling off, Lewis.
“Plus, it’s a long drive to New York. We could take turns,” I add quickly.
“You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”
“And that’s exactly my point—I don’t care.”
“It’s nothing like what you saw in Worthington on Friday—this is a whole other vibe,” she warns.
“So what?” I shrug. “If you’re saying that’s where my car is, then that’s where I’m going. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t do the same.”
Her mouth twitches, and I can’t tell if she’s annoyed—or impressed.
“I’m leaving tomorrow night after our finals, though. You know what that means, right?” She studies me. “It means you’ll miss two days of basketball practice with zero guarantee you’re actually gonna find your car.”
“Got any other leads?”
“Nope.”
“Then we’re going.”
She looks at me steadily.
There’s a glint in her eye, something raw and big and powerful, and maybe it’s because I’m on edge tonight, but I could swear my heart just skipped a beat.
8AMY
Thank God I’ve been acing my industrial mechanics class—I manage to get through my exam in record time, despite my mind being totally elsewhere.
Today’s Thursday, and in less than an hour, I’ll be on my way to Brooklyn. It’s been eight months since I was last in town, and I still can’t believe I’m going home. Back to the hornet’s nest. I’m officially insane.
I have to level with myself, here—part of me is psyched to be heading back to see my old buddies. It’s just a shame I have all these resolutions I’m supposed to be keeping.
I can’tbelievesome asshole stole a car, and it justhappensto belong to the only guy I would travel back to New York for. Anyone else, I’d have let them figure their shit out by themselves, like a big boy. But when I saw Lewis in the garage, all crumpled face and balled-up fists, I didn’t even have to think about it. I made a few calls to New York without missing a beat. How pathetic is that?
That’s not what I’ve been obsessing over since last night, though. Lewis nagged me to tag along, and I don’t know what I was thinking. I said yes—and that was for sure a mistake. A big one. He has no idea what New York has in store for him, and I don’t want him rubbing upagainst the old me. He already thinks I’m some hopeless case since he saw me out there at the race. But this? The New York version of Amy Hitman? I shudder.
I can’t do this. I can’t let him come with me.
“Okay!” The teacher claps his hands. “Pens down. Enjoy your vacation, everyone!”
