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With a heavy exhale, she nods. “We will. Thank you for the information, we appreciate you sharing it.”

“But?” There’s definitely a ‘but’ coming.

“But we’re going to need you and the guys to stick around town for a while. Don’t make any travel plans.”

My stomach drops. They still think we’re involved somehow, or at least they can’t rule us out. The logical part of my brain knows we’re all innocent, that we have nothing to hide. But the rest of me, the part that remembers being that wild, trouble-making teenager, feels like I’m seventeen again and getting hauled in for shoplifting.

“Fine.” I stand up on unsteady legs. “We’re not going anywhere anyway.” I’m done running, and the guys are innocent. There’s nothing to hide. I only wish the cops could see that.

Trina walks me to the door, her expression softer now. “Callie? Be careful, okay? If you’re right about the loan sharks, they could be dangerous.”

I nod and push through the door back into the main area. My guys are sitting on a bench, and they jump to their feet when they see me.

Knox reaches me first, his hands framing my face as he searches my expression. “You okay?”

“Peachy.” I force a smile that probably looks as fake as it feels. “Can you take me home?”

“To your mom’s or?” Brax asks.

“Your house,” I tell them. I love my parents, but right now, I want to go home and be with the guys because part of me is terrified that they’ll get arrested again.

Waiting sucks.

It’s been three days since the guys were taken in for questioning, and we haven’t heard jack shit from the police. I know, logically, that no news is probably good news, but my anxiety doesn’t give a shit about logic.

I lean back in the porch swing, watching the guys work on Knox’s truck. Nothing was broken, but their nervous energy manifested into replacing the oil, putting on new belts. Anything and everything that could be worked on to keep them busy. The engine hood is up, Jax’s legs stick out from underneath, and Brax holds a wrench while Knox points at something that’s apparently in desperate need of their attention.

A light breeze coasts over my skin. I breathe in the fresh, wooden air. The scene should be relaxing, but I can’t shake the knot in my stomach. I don’t think I’ll be able to relax until this is all far behind us.

The sound of tires makes us all freeze. I set my glass down and move toward the railing, squinting at the approaching car. It’s a navy-blue sedan and as it gets closer, my heart skips.

My dad and mom climb out of the car. Mom’s face is pinched and there’s fire in her eyes. She’s ready to tear someone a new one and I’ll give you one guess as to who it is.

“Shit,” I mutter.

Knox drops his wrench with a clank and glances over his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

Not really. I rub my forehead. “I haven’t exactly filled them in on the whole murder interrogation situation.”

All three guys exchange looks. They know as well as I do how Mom gets. Brax wipes his hands on a shop rag, Jax rolls out from under the truck, and Knox straightens to his full height. They’re bracing for impact, too.

“Callie Mae Harrison!” Mom’s voice carries across the yard like a battle cry.

Oh, I’m in deep shit. Full name means I’m about to get my ass handed to me. “Hey, Mom,” I call innocently.

“Don’t you hey me,” she hisses.

“Should we head inside?” Knox doesn’t bother waiting for an answer. He marches up the stairs, squeezes my shoulder as he passes, and opens the door. I dip inside before Mom can protest, mentally preparing for the storm that’s about to hit. Mom marches through the door with Dad trailing behind her, and the look on her face could curdle milk.

“Would someone like to explain why I had to hear from Dolores that my daughter and you boys were taken in for questioning about not one but two murders?” Her voice climbs higher with each word. “Murders, Callie! And here I’ve been wondering why you haven’t called me back or come home for dinner, turns out you were murdering people!”

“We weren’t murdering anyone,” I say in a rush.

She huffs. “I know that, but Callie—” She cuts off. Mom’s eyes are getting watery, and seeing her upset makes my heart ache.

“Mom—”

“Don’t you ‘Mom’ me.” She points a finger at all four of us. “How could you not tell me? How could you let me find out from the town gossip that someone is trying to pin murders on you?”