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Tobias leaves and I turn back to the guys. "I guess we should head back home, give Briar some time to calm down before we go find her."
"Sounds like a plan. Speaking of Serena, any update from your cop friend, Cole?" Asher asks.
Cole lets out a sigh and swigs back his drink. "Not yet, but I’m going to chase him this week. If he doesn’t have news, I’ll go down to the station. Especially since it links to Briar."
“Especially now that she’s your fucking fiance,” Asher snarks from across the room.
I let out a sigh, knowing this particular bone of contention isn’t going to be eased anytime soon.
"I wouldn’t call her my fiance, considering she may as well have fled the country at the announcement," Cole retorts. "And it’s not like I chose this. You know how my dad is."
"Even if she’s yours to the world, she’ll always be mine," Sawyer adds, stroking Shadow’s head. "We agreed to share, you don’t get to renege on that."
"You know I never would," Cole says, staring at Sawyer.
I keep my own opinions out of it. They know where I stand with her. I can’t touch her. No matter how much I want her. It would put her more at risk than she already is, and between a fucking stalker, her mom, and my dad, she’s got enough bullshit to carry.
She doesn’t need anything else working against her.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I shut their voices out as I read the message from my dad.
Asshole Supreme:
Find the girl. Get her on board. You already know the consequences if you fail. For you both.
Me:
She’s at campus, I’m going to let her cool off, but I have a plan. I’m fully aware of what’s at risk.
I pocket my phone and crack my knuckles, trying not to let fear overwhelm me. My dad and his fucking threats. The problem is, I know they aren’t idle, especially if they involve Katy. Everything I’ve done since Mom died was to keep her safe, and no matter how much I want Briar, no matter how much she makes my soul feel at peace, Katy comes first.
Always.
My phone buzzes again and my hand shakes a little as I read it.
Asshole Supreme:
Good. Because I’m sure that isn’t a funeral you want to attend. Do not push me, Travis.
"We need to head home," I announce as I stand. Phoenix lets out a yip as he bounds over to me, and I bend down and scoop him into my arms.
"What’s wrong?" Asher asks, watching me closely. These three are probably the only people in the world who know my tells.
"Just my dad," I say, brushing it off. "Let’s worry about Briar for now."
He continues to watch me and, after a few seconds, nods before letting out a whistle, and the dogs all rush to him as Sawyer and Cole stand. "I changed my mind. Let’s go find her."
* * *
The car ride back to campus is tense as fuck and I hate it. It’s rare we let our parents’ bullshit get between us. I don’t think it’s actually happened since eighth grade, after the whole birthday fiasco, so it pisses me off that they’ve managed to do it now.
Even if it is because of a girl.
If anything, it pisses me offmorethat it’s because of a girl, but if it was ever going to be any girl, of course it’s her.
At least this storm matches my mood. Rain like this is fucking rare in November, but it’s fitting. Thunder cracks through the sky as the lightning illuminates the world around us.
I crank up the music in the car to drown out the silence,Deep Endby I Prevail filling the space, and tap my thumbs against the steering wheel along with the beat, singing the lyrics like it’ll fix everything. There is nothing quite like screaming a song at the top of your lungs while driving to expel all your demons.
