Page 41 of Last Chorus

“S’ okay,” she whispers. “I wouldn’t want me anymore, either.”

“You have no idea—” I clench my teeth to hold back the rest. Nothing I say is going to land right now. Chances are she won’t even remember this conversation tomorrow.

I reach for the water glass, determined to at least have her drink some before I decide what to do. I don’t want to send her home with Clay, especially without knowing whether or not it’s safe for her. But Lily and Rye are ignoring me, and I can’t exactly carry her out of here myself. Not without serious consequences.

A sudden vibration in my back pocket threatens my grip on the water again. I put it down for the second time and yank my phone out, sighing in relief when I see a text from Rye.

Rye

Not avoiding u on purpose. Shit went off the rails after u left. Been trying to keep Lily calm all day. Headed back to house now

Wilder

Wtf happened?

He types, and types some more. In the interim, I lean forward to peek at Evangeline’s face. She’s passed out and drooling.

Finally, Rye’s texts come through.

I stuck my foot in my mouth in the limo. Said something about Eva being in Seattle this summer to record. Clay was like “haha what? No, she’s not.”

Eva got so pale I thought she was gonna pass out. Clay told her to explain herself in this super psycho voice. I almost put his face through the window. I can’t explain it. My skin was legit crawling from the look he gave her

We tried all night to get her to talk about it and come home with us but she wouldn’t. Lily finally lost it. I had to get her out of there before she went postal

My adrenaline skyrockets, my muscles quivering with the desire to break Clay’s bones. When I look down at Evangeline, a different need rises. One just as implausible, just as reckless. But far more appealing.

I want to carry her out of here and straight to the airport. Fly her home. Lock her in my house. Never let her out of my sight again.

“Fuck,” I whisper. “Fuck. Fuck.”

Clenching a hand in my hair, I look wildly around the bathroom.

Three things I can see. Three I can touch. Three I can hear.

Inhale. Hold. Release.

My phone buzzes again.

U there? Pls tell me you haven’t left the party

I haven’t. With Eva in a bathroom. She’s trashed and passed out on a couch

Thank god. Don’t let her leave with Clay ok? I’ll drop off Lily and come back. We’ll figure something out

K. No way in hell she’s leaving with him

I toss my phone to the floor.

Eva stirs. “Wilder?”

“I’m here.”

Unable to help myself, I stroke the hair off her forehead and temple. Her eyes are still closed, but tightly, as though she’s in pain.

“Need you to know something…”

I lean closer to hear her faint voice. “Yeah?”