Everything slowed.

Holy shit.

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

“Oh my god,” Logan breathed out next to me. We stopped, just for a moment and we stared.

Nate’s car was in the middle of the intersection. Another car’s front end had barreled into him and both cars were smashed together.

A sudden pause fell over me. I couldn’t think, breathe, or hear anything. Then it cleared just as quick. Nate’s horn kept blaring as someone screamed. Then I took off, sprinting to the accident. My heart had leapt into my throat and my feet pounded onto the pavement. I couldn’t get there fast enough.

The place was packed for the rest of the night. Heather popped her head in once to warn me Kate and her Bitch Crew had arrived. When they didn’t see me, she said they left right away. A different emotion flared over her face as she passed along the message, but it was gone before I could place it. Maybe fear? But no. Heather seemed to be getting pissed by them. She couldn’t be getting scared. A shiver went through me. I hoped she wasn’t getting scared. That would mean they were winning. That they were getting to the one female friend I had. No one else had befriended me over the past week, and I wasn’t sure if anyone would.

It was later on, a few hours before closing, when I realized she hadn’t told me if Logan or Mason had arrived. I was half expecting them to find me in the back themselves. Mason would’ve helped me, but Heather only came back to ask if I wanted to see any of my Academy friends. I didn’t. Adam and Becky both had been trying to remain friends, but there was too much disloyalty and pain that came with them.

When the grill closed, I still hadn’t heard a thing. Because I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, or worry Heather, I found her brother during a break. “Brandon?”

He looked up mid-pour. “One second.” Finishing, he slid the drink across the counter to his customer and headed over. Wiping his hands on a towel, he raised his eyebrows. “What’s up?”

I felt so stupid. “Did any of Mason and Logan’s friends come in?”

He frowned. “No, now that you mention it. That’s weird. You worried?”

Not helpful. I sighed. “I’m sure things are fine. I’m just surprised, is all.”

I was about to go back for the last of the dishes when Brandon tapped my arm. He’d come closer and lowered his voice, “Listen, I know what you’re thinking, and that’s not the case. I was being a jackass earlier. No way would Mason cheat on you.”

Thanks, Brandon. I am now thinking it’s a possibility.

Inching even closer, he scanned the room before he continued, “Listen, none of their crew came in.” He shook his head, staring at me like I was supposed to know what that meant.

I lifted an eyebrow. “And …?”

“Oh. Yeah,” he shuffled closer, “I remember those days. I know what it’s like. If none of them showed up, that means something came up.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“The popular crowd. You know, the ‘in’ crowd.” He nodded and patted my shoulder. “Something came up. I’m positive.”

“Why are you being awkward about this?”

“Oh.” He straightened and flashed me a grin. All that awkwardness was gone as he shrugged. “It’s called being a nice brother. My sis wasn’t a part of the ‘in’. She doesn’t know what it’s like. You and me,” lifting an empty glass, he pointed to me and then back to him, “we know what it’s like.”

Of course. Perfect sense. I shook my head.

“No worries, Sam. If he didn’t show, something must’ve come up.”

“What’s my brother talking about?” Heather plopped her order pad on the counter and leaned over, stretching her back at the same time.

“Nothing.” I needed to know what had ‘come up’ like Brandon insisted. Patting my pockets, I cursed under my breath.

“What?”

“My phone’s in the car.”

“Go.” Heather waved me off. There was an extra oomph to her grin.

Narrowing my eyes, I paused. “What?”

She went still. “What?”

“What happened to you tonight?”

“Nothing.”

She’d said that too fast. My eyebrow went back up. “I call bullshit.”

She laughed. “Spoken like a true friend.” Then she indicated behind me, and I turned to see Channing at a back table. He’d been watching us.

“Ah.” It made sense now. “So the no-boyfriend-not-anymore is here and you two are going to get not-friendly tonight?”

“Something like that.” She chuckled before patting my arm again. “Go. I’m serious. I’ll have him finish the few dishes that are left. It’s not like he hasn’t worked back there before.”

He had? That was new info. I started for the door after making sure my car keys were in my pocket. As I passed by her, I muttered under my breath, “One of these days you’re going to have explain your situation to me.”

“Yeah,” she sighed. Her tone turned wistful. “Maybe one day I’ll know, too.”

That was weird. As I headed out, I glanced back over my shoulder. The happiness on Heather’s face was unmistakable. She had turned back to Channing and struck a seductive pose. I grinned as I remembered the first time I met her and pushed through the door.

The parking lot was surrounded by trees and on most days it was peaceful. It was beautiful during the day, but at night, it was eerie. It was especially creepy when most of the cars were gone. I had no doubt there was some big party, and drawing closer to my car, I could see that my phone’s light was blinking. I had messages—

“You’re that waitress from last week.”

I screamed at the deep voice, jumping around in one leap. My heart was in my chest, beating loudly and trying to pound its way out. A dark figure appeared at the end of my car, and I couldn’t see who it was. A hood was pulled over his face, casting it in a shadow, but he was large and muscular.

I needed mace. Why the hell hadn’t I listened to Logan the one time he joked about that? “Who are you?” I demanded, taking deep breaths so my heart could settle.

His hands went in the air, surrendering and he used one to pull his hood down. “I’m sorry. Really. I’m not here to hurt you. I just …” He took a deep breath and I heard his voice shaking.