Page 212 of Irreversible

Yeah, that last voice is a fucking pussy. Ignore.

By the time the sun has risen, I’ve sent Garrison a message to drive down here and take my place. There’s still no sign of the guy I’m waiting for, and I can’t sit here all day and wonder what’s happening with Everly.

Just before I get on the highway to head north, I send her a message:

Me

See you soon.

It’s still early when I set foot on the cracked pavement outside Everly’s complex. Thanks to my tracking app, I’m confident she hasn’t gone anywhere, but there’s nothing but fucking crickets in our text thread.

I inhale slowly, filling my lungs with early morning fog, laced with a tinge of exhaust. I’m sleep deprived, irritated, and judging by the looks I got when I ran into a mini mart for coffee, I look every bit as shitty as I feel.

God help the next person who?—

Mrrooww.

Several parking spots away, the cat that’s adopted my girl is rubbing against the back tire of a silver Porsche.

“Hey, cat.”

He blinks at me like I’m an idiot.

“You happen to see Bee this morning? She’s not answering me.”

Ignoring me, he aims his furry balls at the wheel, his tail high, and wets it with a spray of urine.

Oof, wouldn’t want to be the owner of that car?—

Wait.

When I get a better look at the driver, I have an overwhelming urge to give the cat a high five. Jasper Cross sits with a phone in one hand and a cup of overpriced coffee in theother, oblivious to the feline christening his six-figure penis extension.

Fantastic.

I stride over to the vehicle and look down. “I owe you one, kitty cat.”

This animal is getting a free supply of tuna for the rest of his nine lives.

After giving the tire a sniff of approval, he takes off, pausing to look over his shoulder at me before disappearing into the bushes.

Standing next to the driver’s side window, I wait a full minute while Jasper’s attention darts between his phone, the door of the complex, and a few nearby cars—completely ignorant of my presence, inches away.

I could easily break this douchebag in half.

It’s tempting.

What Everly saw in this slicked-back pussy, I’ll never understand. She’s way out of his league. Then again, she’s way out of mine, too.

Furthermore, how in the hell did he move on after she went missing? Even if he truly believed she was dead, it’s no excuse. I would have turned the world inside out to find her.

Jasper rubs his jaw and looks at the time, his agitation evident. I suppose a polite person would tap on the window to get his attention, but…

Thunk.

I slam the heel of my hand to the glass, and he jumps so high, his head hits the ceiling.

His attention whips my way, a dozen expressions passing over his face in the space of a second. He’s probably pissing himself. And if he isn’t, he should be.

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