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Everything in me wants to fire off a series of questions but I put a muzzle on my big sister mouth and calmly ask, “Hey, did you forget to take out the trash before you left?”
“Yup, sorry about that.”
“That means you’re grounded. I’m on my way to pick you up.”
“Aw, come on, Em, really?” she whines in her best stubborn teenager voice. “Can’t I do it tomorrow?”
“Nope. You know the rules. I’ll see you in ten minutes.” I finish our script, designed so that if one of her nosy friends overhears her conversation, it just sounds like her bitchy big sister has laid down the law.
“Fine,” she huffs. Then in a lower voice she adds, “I’ll be, uh, waiting right inside.”
“Got it.” I end the call and scoot to the edge of the couch, grabbing my underwear and searching for my shoes. “I’m so sorry, Dex.”
When he doesn’t answer, I look up, not finding him anywhere.
“Dex?”Where’d he go?
He pushes through the kitchen door and flashes a panty-melting smile. “Wanted to clean up before we leave.” He holds up his hands.
Heat sears my skin from scalp to toes as I try to discreetly pull my panties into place underneath my dress. Then my brain processes his words. “You don’t have to come with me.”
His smile slips. “It’s almost midnight. Do you know what spooked her so bad she wants to come home early?”
I glance at my phone. “No. We used our sister code.”
“Well, then just in case, I should go with you.” He waves his arms toward the door in alet’s movegesture.
“I have a baseball bat in the car,” I protest, slipping my shoes on.
“Great. I’ll keep it in mind.” He motions toward the front door again.
I’m torn between wanting his company and wanting to prove I can do everything all by myself, just like I’ve been doing since my parents died. The stubborn part of me wants to deny how much I’d like his company.
“I’ll be okay,” I try again.
“Emily,” he says, exasperation weighing down my name, “we can argue about it and then leave, or we can leave right now. Either way, I’m coming with you. If something upset Libby, I’d rather not keep her waiting.”
I can’t quibble with his logic. Libby’s only used our emoji code a handful of times. She’d been looking forward to tonight’s sleepover, but something big must have happened for her to want to come home already. I pull my purse off the hook by the door and grab my keys. “Let’s go.”
Outside, I’m too anxious to appreciate the cool, crisp evening. I hustle to the car, unlocking the doors. Dex hesitates at the passenger side, then folds his large frame into the seat.
I toss my purse in the back seat and slide behind the wheel. Glancing over, I wince at Dex’s knees rammed into the dashboard. “Sorry about that,” I mutter.
“I’m fine.” He leans over to adjust the seat, giving himself a few extra precious inches. “Do you know where you’re going?”
“Yup. I’ve been there lots of times.”
It’s not far but we have to pass through a seedier part of the town to get there. Thank God Libby didn’t storm off in a huff and decide to walk home.
Worry for my little sister keeps my foot pressed against the pedal harder than prudent.
“Easy,” Dex warns when I roll through a stop sign. “If you get pulled over, it’s going to take even longer to pick her up.”
“I know,” I mutter, easing off the gas.
Finally, I turn onto Mackenzie’s street. Darkness and shadows conceal most of the houses. Then, a bright circle of light filters through a row of hedges. The faint thump of music drifts through the air.
“Someone’s having a party,” Dex says.
