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“It’s just these prank calls I’ve been getting. I’m almost sure that it’s just Reed being a dumbass but they’re starting to get to me.” Relief washes over me as soon as the words leave my mouth. I don’t like to admit it but the calls are really starting to bother me, especially since they just keep coming. I’ve lost count of how many times my mystery caller has sung my name over the answering machine in the past week.

“Why would Reed do that?” she asks and I roll my eyes.

“Because of the way I quit.”

Her eyes widen and she grabs my arms, shaking me a little. “Tate, you promised me that you didn’t hurt him.”

“Uh… no. I promised you that I didn’t kill him and that is true but he grabbed me when I was trying to leave and I punched him.”

“Anything else?” she asks, releasing me and planting her hands on her hips. I shrink back.

“I may have also pulled a knife on him but I mean, I didn’t cut him or anything.”

“Jesus Christ, Tate,” she breathes, shaking her head. “This is what I’ve been saying to you. It’s dangerous.”

“What would have happened if I hadn’t been able to defend myself, Mia? He could have raped me or worse. I refuse to back down and make myself small to support these fragile fucking egos. Besides, Lincoln thinks it’s sexy.”

“Or he’s scared you’ll gut him like an animal if he says any different,” she mumbles and I laugh as I poke her in the ribs.

“Shut up, jackass. Lincoln offered to take the guys to have a chat with Reed and I might just let him.”

Laughter bubbles out of her. “Oh, to be a fly on the wall when that goes down. Reed will probably piss himself.”

“One can only hope,” I add and we giggle together as I pull out my phone and send a text to Lincoln.

Me:

You know that Reed thing we talked about?

“Did you just tell him to do it?” she asks, trying to read the screen. I nod.

“I’m about to.”

Beaming, she turns back to the rack of clothes. “Perfect. Now, let’s find us some hot dresses.”

We start sorting through the racks, occasionally grabbing a hanger and holding it up for each other but nothing feels right. As I reach for a little red flowy number, the hair on my arms stand on end and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being watched. I glance around the store as my phone buzzes with a text.

Lincoln:

Yeah, I do.

Me:

Will you handle it for me?

After pressing send, I blow out a breath and shake out my arms as I turn back to the clothes. It has to be just because I was talking about the whole Reed situation. As I start looking through clothes again, the sensation intensifies and I turn toward the large windows lining the walls, searching for anyone out of place but nothing stands out.

God, I’m losing my mind.

“So, speaking of money, what are you going to do now that you have some?” Mia asks and I turn back to her, shrugging.

“I’m not sure actually. I had a meeting with a school counselor yesterday but things have changed for me.”

She scowls. “How so?”

How haven’t things changed?

“When I wanted to go to school to become a nurse, it was only because it was a stable, well-paying job not because I loved it. Now, my options are wide open and I don’t know what to do.”