Page 386 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

And then lastly, “Hold on.”

He rips the steering wheel right,

stomping down on the brakes,

and the Civic's tires jump the curb.

The violent jerk slams me forward,

and the belt catches me at my chest.

Behind us,

tires screech against salted asphalt,

skidding right toward us, headlights phasing across the back window⁠—

Then stops,

rocking to a halt only inches away.

My lungs punch for air.

Andrew grabs my jaw, turning me until his eyes slam into mine. His are black and alive. “You good?” he asks, and I nod.

“Yeah?” His brow kicks up as he throws the Civic into park. “Don’t get outta this fuckin’ car. I’m serious.”

He flings his door open.

Winter cold pours in

before he slams it shut.

“Andrew!” I fumble with the seat belt. The latch jams. “Piece of shit Honda,” I hiss, yanking until it releases me.

I whip around to see out the back window.

Andrew rips open the sedan door, then pulls him out by the front of his jacket. He yanks the gaiter down his face, and Hunter stumbles backward onto Waldwick, hands flying up.

My stomach falls through the floorboards.

Andrew shoves him into the sedan, the car rocking on its tires. “I told you to stay the fuck away.”

Soon as I climb out of the Civic,

Hunter’s eyes skip right past Andrew,

and drive straight into me.

Andrew looks over his shoulder.

“Get back in the car.”

I shake my head fast, remembering what happened last time. I don’t trust Andrew not to do something stupid.

Panic flashes in his eyes. “Allison.”

The look on his face,