When I look at my messages, I see it’s not from Wes, but Lola.
Lola
hi! How are you?
It’s like she heard me thinking about her. My best friend is eagerly and enthusiastically trying to win me over. She feels bad about the Jake thing, and it’s time I got over it.
Me
hey
I’m gonna stop by the bookstore in a bit, okay?
Lola
yes! Great! I’ll be here until seven!
I smile to myself. I miss my best friend.
“Callie!”Lola appears from behind a tall bookshelf and throws herself at me. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” She steps back and runs a hand through her straight brown hair. Lola is sweet and fiercely loyal. Well, exceptfor that one night.
“Hey, I know, I’ve been busy.” I search Lola’s face, and her pinched look shows me she’s worried.
“Busy with what?” She waves for me to follow her. “Sit for a minute?”
I nod and trail her to a back corner of the bookstore and sink into one of the two comfy chairs. I tuck my feet under my butt, smoothing my skirt over my legs.
“Well, I’m making progress finding Shane.”
“Really?” Her eyes widen. “Have you talked to that hacker guy?”
I snort, and she stares.
“Oh, yeah, actually.” Isowant to tell her everything. She’d scream and jump up and down and be appropriately excited about it. And that’s why I came here, isn’t it?
My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I ignore it.
“Has he found him?”
“He thinks he knows where Shane is.”
“Oh my god. Where is he?”
I almost answer right away, but then I press my lips closed. Jake can’t know about this. There has to be a hard line in the sand, especially after Wes beat the shit out of Jones in Boston. It might get ugly.
“No telling Jake.”
“Callie,” Lola says, and her face crumples. “Of course not. We were only texting because we were concerned about you.”
“Okay.” I nod, deciding to trust her. “Wes thinks Shane is in New York.”
“Woah.” Her jaw drops. “So what are you going to do?”
My phone vibrates again.
“We’re going to go to New York and find him.”
“We?” Lola’s eyes grow as wide as saucers.
