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“Hmm. Well, maybe we should work on improving those skills.”
Jagger shakes his head. “Uh-uh. The deal was, I drop you off, and Crew picks you up. No one said anything about me decking the halls for Halloween.”
I mope, stopping him at the entrance of the trail. “Not even for me?”
He sighs heavily. “Damn you and that pouty face.” His finger swoops under my droopy lip, and I smile.
We’re holding hands, walking again, when I warn him, “Now, just so you know, my decorating skills aren’t exactly something to brag about either. In fact, I hate it probably as much as you do. But I’m doing this for Riley.”
His phone vibrates against my palm and I lift it up. “Oh. You got a text from Crew.” I’m able to see the first half of the message which begins…
Crew: Tell Scar I’ll be there to pick her up on foot around…
I hand the phone to Jagger, letting him read the rest. “Crew says he’ll be here to get you at eight.”
“And on foot,” I add, knowing this since I saw it.
“Actually, he can borrow my sled. Neither of you should be out walking after dark.”
My heart swells. “Really? You’ll let him do that?”
“Of course. He’s still my boy.” He squeezes my hand, and my heart officially doubles in size, making room for both of them.
Jagger hands me his phone back. “You wanna call your mom before we’re up there?”
“Oh yes!” I completely forgot, once again. “Prepare yourself,” I tell him, “she’s gonna give me hell for using a phone here. She’s certain I’m going to endure the wrath of The Lawless if I break the rules.”
“She has no idea, does she?”
I waggle my brows. “Not a single one, and I intend to keep it that way. At least, for now.” I dial her number and press the phone to my ear. Jagger uses this opportunity to coerce me by walking me back into a large tree. He plants one hand above my shoulder against the dried bark, and the other drapes at his side.
She picks up on the third ring. “Hey, Mom.”
Immediately, she starts screaming in my ear, so I pull the phone away. It’s loud enough that Jagger can hear, and he fights back laughter.
“Everything is fine, Mom. No. I’m not going to get kicked out. I’m actually—”
More screams and demands to end the call and toss the phone into the river.
“It’s not my phone to throw in the river. It’s Jagger Cole’s.”
“Yes, Cain’s son, Jagger. What other Jagger Cole is there?” I shake my head in annoyance. “Would you just listen to me? I have to ask you about someone.”
And more shouting, so I cut her off. “Mom! Do you know a girl—or a lady, rather—named Kenna?”
Suddenly, the shrills stop.
“Mom?”
I decide to put the phone on speaker so Jagger can hear; that way, I won’t have to relay the message.
“I heard you, Scarlett. Why are you asking about Kenna?”
“Wasn’t she your roommate?”
“Answer me. Why are you asking about Kenna?”
“Well, I think I found something of hers.” I reach into my pocket, pulling out the heart halves. “It’s a charm, but there are two.”
