Page 69 of Wicked Scandal

I’ve been driving around for almost an hour trying to find her. I don’t have my phone, and I know if I go home to get it from my dad, he’ll force me to stay and talk. I can’t give him the answers he wants, and worse, I know I’ve disappointed him. But he won’t understand. He doesn’t get me or the things that I like. Every part of me wanted to tell him about the cash I made from the video that went viral, but I knew in the end he still wouldn’t take it seriously, so I kept it to myself.

This is my fifth time driving by her house and her vehicle isn’t in the open garage, but Troy’s truck is parked outside it.

It doesn’t make any sense. Where would she have gone? With any luck, she’s hiding somewhere. I just wish I knew where so I could be with her. Maybe she’s trying to call me now—but my dad has my phone.

My knuckles tap out a nervous rhythm on the steering wheel as I circle through town one more time.

I drive down every street, scanning parking lots and sidewalks for any sign of her vehicle. Panic rises in my chest as I pull into the school parking lot and see nothing but empty spaces.

My forehead breaks out in a sweat as I come to terms with what I have to do. The one thing I haven’t tried—I have to talk to Troy. But I can’t do it alone. I need backup because there is no saying how this might go down.

Knowing Rome is at Big John’s having pizza with, probably the entire graduating class, I make a sharp turn into the parking lot. I don’t want to go in and talk to anyone. People will ask questions I don’t have any intention of answering.

Instead, I stand outside and catch my brother's attention. He sees me almost instantly. I think it’s a twin thing. Rome comes jogging out of the restaurant, genuine concern on his face.

“Bro, you’ve gotta tell me what’s going on.”

A few minutes later, after explaining the situation, I’ve got my brother in the passenger seat of my car and we’re headed to the Jenkinses’ house for answers.

Rome tells me that our dad is pissed, and I’m not surprised by that. He also tells me he’s got my phone and he’s contemplating what to do with the video I showed him. But he assured Rome he’s not making any decisions until he speaks to me.

This is all a fucking mess and I have no idea how to clean it up.

We pull into their driveway and I’m hopeful to see her car in the garage, but all that hope diminishes when I see she’s still not here. It’s possible she ditched her car somewhere and Troy made her get in his truck.

I guess we’re about to find out.

“You ready for this?” Rome asks, gripping the passenger door handle.

“Ready or not,” I tell him as I swing open my door and get out.

We opt to leave the car running, just in case we need to make a run for it. My brother and I aren’t pussies by any means, but we’re not total idiots either. Mr. Jenkins is dangerous and we have no idea how he’s going to react to our unexpected arrival at his house.

An eerie feeling washes over me as we approach the front door. Wind whistles in the background, almost in warning.

“We’ll just pretend we’re here to apologize,” I whisper to Rome as we go up the concrete steps. “Then ask if we can apologize to her, too. Once we see she’s safe, we can go.”

I don’t tell him I have no plans of leaving here without Cat. He would turn around and tell me to come up with a new plan. But it’s been too long since I’ve had my eyes on her, and I won’t risk Troy hurting her ever again. I have proof and we will find a way to get her out of here. Tonight.

“Let’s hope it’s that easy.” Rome raises his balled fist to the door, but on the first knock, the door creaks open.

We exchange confused glances.

“That’s weird,” I tell him quietly as I lean close to the door to try and get a look inside.

Troy is the most meticulous man about his house. It is under lock and key like no one I have ever seen before. The cameras, the two deadbolts—one that requires a key from the inside and outside. Yet, his door just opened for us.

I panic a little thinking this is a trick. Is he trying to get us to come into his house so he can shoot us and say we were breaking in?

Rome, being the straightforward guy he is, pushes the door open farther and pops his head in the house. “Hello?”

“Dude.” I punch his shoulder. “Could you be a little more obvious?”

He lifts a shoulder. “Do we want to talk to them or not?”

He’s got a good point. At some point we have to make our presence known. I’m just afraid of what will happen when we do.

“Anyone here?” Rome hollers as he steps farther into the house. “Mayor Jenkins? Mrs. Jenkins?” Rome raises his brows. “Maybe they’re both in her car.”

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