She squeezes my hand to the point of pain. “Justin. He’s in the back.”
My gaze follows hers. And yes, there’s Justin, standing in the far left corner, alone.
Alarm shoots through me.
I catch Alec’s eye and jerk my head in Justin’s direction. “Do you see that?”
A beat later, Alec nods. “I see him.” He starts to stand. “I’ll tell him to leave.”
“No.” Angel leans across Hazel to touch Alec’s arm. “It’s okay. As long as he stays there… I don’t want to make a scene. Not with the play so close to starting.”
I get what she’s saying. But still, I don’t trust him. Which is why I quickly shoot off a text to Gage.
Justin is here. Back left corner by the wall. Can you watch him?
I could do it myself. But that would mean leaving Angel alone. And I really don’t want to.
Gage’s reply comes in almost immediately.
On it.
He stands and makes his way to the back of the auditorium, close to where Justin’s standing. Then he nods in affirmation. If Justin tries anything, Gage will stop him.
“Gage has it under control,” I assure Angel. “See?”
She bites her lower lip before forcing a weak smile. “Okay.” After a moment, her smile strengthens. “It’s fine. It doesn’t matter if he’s back there.”
“Right.” I kiss her cheek. “We’ve got it all under control.”
Except the expression on the drama club advisor’s face as she hurries off the stage hints otherwise.
She looks worried.
My pulse jumps.
Maybe it’s nothing,I tell myself. It’s probably nothing. Just a kid with stage fright, like Angel said. And the advisor is coming to find the kid’s parents.
But she’s not looking for another kid’s parents. The woman—Miss Webber, who looks like she couldn’t be more than twenty-two—spots Angel and nearly runs towards her.
Angel flashes a scared look at me. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know,” I reply. “Maybe Haley’s feeling nervous. With her big role and all.”
“Ms. Nilsson.” Miss Webber sounds breathless as she rushes to us. “I’m so sorry. But have you talked to Haley?”
Angel stiffens. Her shoulders tense. “Talked to her? When?”
“While she was getting ready?”
“No,” Angel says. Tension laces her voice. “Why are you asking? Where’s Haley?”
The young teacher squeezes into the row, so she’s closer to us. “Because she’s not backstage. I looked everywhere. She was there when we did our motivational cheer. And when I went overall the last-minute instructions. But now… she’s gone. None of the kids have seen her. I was hoping?—”
Angel jumps to her feet. “Haley’smissing?”
Fear clutches at my chest. “What time did you see her last?”
Hazel and Alec stand alongside us. Alec is tense. Hazel looks worried.
