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“You don’t want to play this game with us. We always win, and you know it.”
Colton looks over his shoulder at the painting, and his smirk widens. “Not this time.”
Practically on cue, the sound of glass shattering comes from the garage. We almost miss it considering the amount of walls in between us and his brand-new car that he bought for his birthday.
Colton’s face pales. It seems that he’s only now realizing that I’m alone on his front porch. “You motherfuckers.”
He dashes through the house, leaving the front door swinging open. I step inside and look around. The house seems to be empty, and I wonder what Lucas and Xander are up to.
Whatever.I don’t have much time to look around.
In the living room, I take the painting down and tuck it under my arm. As I move through the house, I catch a whiff of something familiar—lilac perfume, I think—but I can’t place where I know it from.
I’ll figure it out later, I suppose. I’d love to smash as much as I can in here, but I need to get out to the garage in case Cal needs help.
On my way out, I leave the front door wide open. I can hear Colton shouting, and as I make my way down the path to the driveway, Cal sprints out of the garage.
“Get in,” he shouts as he dives into the driver’s seat of his car.
I slide into the passenger seat and settle the painting on my lap. Cal doesn’t bother with his seatbelt. He turns on the car, backs out of the driveway, and speeds off. I stick my hand out the window and flip Colton off.
He doesn’t even bother chasing us, which is mildly disappointing. Oh well. I’m sure he’s already cooking up some unhinged revenge plan.
I can’t wait.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Athelia
The first time I wake, it’s to the sound of a deep, low voice.
“Hey, Char. Yeah, of course.” There’s a pause, and I feel an arm tighten around my waist. “Tonight? Yeah, we can make that work.”
Sleep pulls at my body, so I nestle in closer to the warmth that’s pressed against me.
“He’s hiding out near Birchwood Lakes? Yeah, that’s super close, we can handle that. Could you text me the specifics? All right, thanks.”
I’m vaguely aware of making some type of noise.
“Go back to sleep, Athelia.” Wes’s voice is so sweet. I’m not sure why my mind has decided to trick me into thinking he’s cuddling with me, but I relax into it.
So…cozy.I can even smell his usual pine and leather scent.
I wish this could be real life.
The second time I wake, it’s to the feeling of something cold against my ribcage.
“I meant to swing by before now,” Wes is saying quietly, “but I got caught up in some things. Sorry.”
“Well, I miss you,” a feminine voice says, but it’s different than if someone was in the room.
Wes must be on the phone again.
“Miss you too,” Wes says, but his voice is hollow. “When do you and John get back?”
“In about a week. Next Sunday, I think. Everything okay?”
“Yep. Just curious. Have fun on your trip, Mom.”
