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I decide to freshen up in the bathroom, then realize my phone is still on airplane mode. As soon as I turn it off, I’m flooded with voicemails and texts from Tyler and Gemma.

Tyler

Mimi said you dropped off Sassy hours ago. Where the hell are you?

Gemma

Babe, send me your location. I’m getting worried.

Tyler

I swear to God. Answer me!

Since Gemma was nicer, I respond to her first.

Everleigh

I flew to Vegas, just got to Archer’s hotel room.

Instead of responding, she video calls. Tyler’s scowling next to her.

“I told you to stay put!” he scolds.

“I couldn’t…”

“Ev, I thought something happened to you. Could’ve given me a heads-up!”

“Well, I knew you’d try to stop me.”

“Sounds eerily similar to what Archer did to you,” Tyler says.

“It’s different, trust me,” I say.

Gemma speaks up. “So is Archer there?”

“No, but his stuff is.”

“How’d you even know where he was staying?” Tyler asks.

“I called Maddie.”

He rolls his eyes. “Of course you did. She’ll be gettin’ a nice little chat from me later.”

“You realize I’m thirty-four years old, right? Not a child. A fully grown woman.”

“After all the shit I’ve seen and been through over the years, I don’t care if you’re eighty-fucking-five. If I tell you not to get involved in trouble, you should listen.”

“Whoops.” I shrug.

Gemma smirks, clearly trying not to take sides. “When’re you flying home?”

“I didn’t plan that far in advance. Only booked a one-way ticket.”

“Keep me updated,” Tyler says just as his phone goes off. “Wait, he texted me.”

“What’d he say?”

“I’m safe. I’ll be home tomorrow,” Tyler reads, and there’s a collective sigh.