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She lifts her head. “Told ya.”
“And make it quick. It’s fucking cold out here.” This time it’s Crew.
“Okay.” I nod. “I’ll just go out there.”
Riley crosses the room to my bed and grabs her plush bubblegum pink robe that matches the nightie I’m wearing. “Put this on.”
“Right. I don’t need them seeing me in this and thinking I really am sleeping with Neo.”
“Well, that’s sort of what they’re supposed to think, so…”
“True, but I’d rather not shove it down their throats. Keep an eye out. Make sure Neo doesn’t find out I’m out there with them.”
She nods in response, and I thank her.
Once I’ve got the robe tied tightly around my waist, I hurry out of the room before I change my mind and let them come into the house. Maybe that would be easier; let them find out the truth about what’s been going on all on their own.
Neo couldn’t blame me for that. Wouldn’t be my fault if they walked in and found Maddie.
I’m walking down the hall, Riley right behind me, when we hear the sound of Neo’s bedroom door opening. “Where are you two going?” Neo asks.
Riley and I share a look before she says, “Maddie needs some water. Scar’s going down to get it and I’m going into her room to wait with her. Is that a problem?”
I love Riley’s snarky side. I don’t see it often, but every time I do, I’m reminded that she does have some fight inside her.
“Is she okay?”
“Maddie?” I ask, before answering my own question. “Yeah, she’s fine. Just thirsty. That’s all.”
Neo walks toward us slowly, clad in a pair of black gym shorts. There’s a suspicious look in his eyes that tells me he knows we’re up to something.
“Maybe I should check on her. Make sure she’s okay.”
“Why?” I huff. “She’s fine, Neo. We’re having some girl time. Go back to your room and leave us alone.”
He keeps coming, his eyes deadlocked on mine, even as he passes by us. It isn’t until he reaches the door to the room Maddie’s in that he finally breaks the hard stare.
“Go!” I tell Riley in a whisper-yell.
Riley scurries to where Neo’s opening Maddie’s door, and I hurry past them and go downstairs.
I hope Riley thinks fast and doesn’t blow this.
My feet don’t stop until they’re stepping into my snow boots. Glancing over my shoulder, watching for Neo, I slowly pull open the door, trying not to make a sound. This house is ancient and the door is known to squeak loudly. Somehow, I do a fine job of making sure it doesn’t.
Before my feet even hit the ground, I’m met by the guys. “Why’d Neo change the locks?” Jagger asks, his expression fueled by anger.
Because he’s hiding his missing sister inside and doesn’t want either of you to find her.
Obviously, I can’t say that, so I go with a partial truth. “I…don’t know why Neo does anything he does, to be honest.”
“Your mom called. You need to call her back ASAP or she’s threatening to come here.”
My eyes widen. I wasn’t expecting that. “Did she say what she wanted?”
Jagger shakes his head as he stares at the blanket of snow at his feet. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out his phone, and hands it to me.He hates me. He can’t even look at me.“Hit Play.”
I do as he says and put the phone to my ear, listening to the voicemail my mom left on Jagger’s phone. Each passing second has my heart beating faster. Once I’m finished listening, I tap her number in and call her back. While it rings, I tell the guys, “She can’t come here. She’ll make me leave and there’s no way I can go right now.”
