Which is how I end up with four bodies diving into my car while I’m mid-three-point turn.
“Hey, Sadie,” Livvy greets me breathlessly from the passenger side.I’m about to tell her to get out when three more bodies plow into the back seat.
A text lights up my screen from Danika: GO.
I peel out of the driveway as headlights flood the dark.
“Where am I dropping you?”I ask Livvy since she’s the only one I know.The girl and two guys in the back are juniors.I recognize their faces, but can’t remember their names.She looks to them, questioning.They shrug.
I pull to the side as two police cars race by.They got here fast.Which means someone called them from the party—probably when the Greenfield players arrived.My guess is that it was Ryder so his place wouldn’t get destroyed in the fight.It’s not a very big house, and there were a lot of people in there.I don’t envy his cleanup or whatever his parents are going to do to him once the cops call them.
“My place,” she says.I nod.
Livvy lives on my street, so I’m pretty sure her jumping into my car was strategic.The others just followed because she’s still carrying a case of hard lemonade.
“Why were you leaving your friends behind?”she asks, like we talk all the time.She’s lived on my street my entire life, and this may be the most she’s ever said to me.She only ever started talking to me when Oren and Danika started dating because she and Oren are close.
“They’re okay,” I assure her.
“Sure,” she says like she’s not convinced that’s true.
I eye her faux pink fur coat and black leather boots and the lollipop she’s twirling in her mouth.
Livvy pulls down the visor and squeezes eye drops into each eye to soothe her bloodshot eyes.
Twenty minutes later,I flop on my bed with a dramatic sigh.Danika texted she was home and would call me tomorrow.So, I call the one person who I know will answer, no matter what time it is.
“How is he?”I ask as soon as Collin answers.
“I’mfine.Thanks for the love.”
“I know you’re fine.”I can’t hide my anxiety, knowing that Jonathan was probably in the middle of whatever happened inside Ryder’s house.
“It’s not guaranteed.You know that.”
I blow out an impatient breath.“Collin!C’mon.Is Jonathan okay?”
“He’s fine.Didn’t even throw a punch.It was too tight in there.Just words and shoving.He dropped me off a few minutes ago and is probably home by now.But you’d know that if you calledhim.”
“I can’t.”I did consider it, but then my stomach did a few somersaults, and I knew Collin was the better choice.He’s always been easier to talk to.
“Why am I the in-between?We’re all friends here.Why do I have to be the one sending messages between you two like we’re in sixth grade?”
“I don’t want to make it awkward.”
“Can it be any more awkward?”
Awkward is actually an understatement.I yank at the hair wrapped around my finger with a disgruntled breath.“I know.Sorry.”
“Something needs to give because you’re both driving me crazy.”
“He talks to you about me?What does he say?”I hold my breath in anticipation.
“Not going there.So, stop.”
“Fine.”I roll onto my stomach and stare up at the pictures of the three of us taped to my vanity mirror.“See you at Clara’s at ten?”
“Of course.Nite.”
