Page 53 of Forsaken Oath

“What? I am not!” I snap, rolling my shoulders back and straightening to my full height like it’ll somehow make me look less guilty.

“Yes, you definitely are!” She points her can at me, grinning like she’s uncovered the world’s greatest secret. “You’re like the color of that tomato right there.” She gestures toward the sad little tomatoes in the fruit basket on the counter.

“Don’t overthink it, sis. I’m a little sunburn. I was outside for two hours.”

“Uh-huh. Sure.” Her voice is dripping with sarcasm. Her gaze roams over me, as if she can uncover my secrets if she only looks hard enough. She hums under her breath. “If you say so.”

My phone buzzes in my hand, and I glance at it—saved by the freaking text.

Nate: I’ve got a job for you. Come to the garage sometime today and I’ll give you the details

“Hello?” my sister says, dragging out the word.

“Hm?” I pull my gaze from the text and look at my sister’s expectant face.

“I said, before you run off to do Seven Pines’ bidding, tell me what happens with the Gauntlet now.”

I slip my phone into the back pocket of my jean shorts. “Oh, I don’t know. It was a super vague text just saying I’m invited and more details will come.”

“Huh. Well, that’s kind of anticlimactic, don’t you think?”

I shrug. “I didn’t know what to expect, so I’m just trying to stay flexible.”

Margot sputters a laugh, smothering it with her hand when I glare at her. “Sorry, it’s just, you and flexible don’t exactly go hand in hand, you know?”

“New year, new me,” I quip.

“Bro, it’s October.” She snorts. “What the hell have you been doing all year that you’re just now starting a resolution?”

I can’t help but laugh as I grab my keys from the table. “Holding out for a witty sibling like you.”

Margot grins, tipping her can toward me like a toast. “Damn straight.”

I snagmy keys off the front table and slide into my car. It’s hot as hell, the sun baking down on the dark interior like a fucking convection oven. The leather seats scorch the backs of my thighs, but I grit my teeth and sit as far back on my ass as possible.

I made fun of Nate last winter for installing seat coolers instead of warmers. It felt like such a waste of money at the time, but fine—I fucking get it now. I don’t even know why I’m in such a rush. Maybe it’s all the adrenaline still pumping through my veins, making my blood run hot. If I were a runner or any kind of athlete, I’d probably go for a jog or hit the gym. But I’m not, so here I am.

I shoot Nate a quick text, telling him I’ll swing by soon.

Ten minutes later, I pull up to the Seven Pines Garage. Located on the edge of the neighborhood where the subdivision lets out to a main road, the garage is Seven Pines' unofficial headquarters. It’s not exclusive to the crew, technically, but Nate once told me that his cousin Levi handles more than just oil changes here.

I do my best to avoid the garage when Levi’s around. Nothing’s ever happened exactly, but he gives off the kind of vibe that makes your skin itch. That barely contained aggression, like a dog waiting for an excuse to bite.

I park in one of the five spaces next to the office, click the locks, and jog toward the building. The garage has four bays, all of them open, and three cars in various states of repair inside. Loud rock music spills into the warm air, competing with the metallic clang of tools and the occasional hiss of a drill.

I glance around, but I don’t see Nate’s recognizable frame. He must be inside the office. The thought barely crosses my mind before a wave of cold air blasts me as I pull open the glass door.

“Don’t let the damn air out!” a voice barks.

I wince, reaching back to close the door quickly. “Sorry.”

“Shit, girl. Thought he taught you better than that.”

I blink a few times, letting my eyes adjust to the dim interior. Levi Thomas sits behind a desk strewn with papers, a laptop glowing faintly in the corner. His eyes narrow as he takes me in.

“Oh, sorry. I was just looking for Nate.”

“Mm-hmm. Bet you were.” His tone is lazy, but there’s something sharp underneath it.

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