Page 18 of The Chase

I unlock the car.

Because I shouldn’t care.

Lock.

Unlock.

Lock.

Unlock.

“Okay! This looks like fun!” exclaims a highly amused voice. “Let me guess—your ex’s car?”

I jump in surprise. I was so focused on the stupid key fob that I didn’t even notice the girl approach me. “What? No. It’s mine.”

A pair of dark eyebrows furrow at me. “Really? What’s with the maniacal clicking, then?”

I’m equally confused. “Why would it be my ex’s car? What did you think I was doing to it?”

“Draining the key battery so he wouldn’t be able to unlock it later. I figured you stole his keys and were looking for a way to screw him.”

“Are you kidding? That sounds like the most exhausting payback scheme ever. I’d have to stand out here for hours to drain this thing. If I wanted revenge, I’d just slash a tire or two. Fast and effective.”

“Tire slashing? That’s insane and I love it.” She nods in approval, causing her thick chestnut-brown hair to fall over one shoulder. “Anyway. Enjoy whatever the hell it is you’re doing, crazy girl. Later.”

The brunette starts to walk off.

“Hey,” I call after her. “You need a ride somewhere?”

Awesome. I’m offering rides to complete strangers now? The level of dread Fitzy has instilled in me is off the charts.

She turns with a laugh. “Thanks, but I’m going to Hastings,” she says, referring to the nearest town. It’s a short drive from campus and also happens to be my destination.

“I’m going there too,” I blurt out. It’s a sign—I’m not supposed to go home yet. The universe wants me to give this chick a ride first.

She slowly walks back to me, shrewd brown eyes studying me from head to toe. I’m fairly sure I couldn’t appear any more harmless. My hair is thrown up in a messy bun, and I’m wearing a cream-colored pea coat, dark-blue skinny jeans, and brown leather riding boots. I look like I stepped off the pages of a Gap catalogue.

“I won’t murder you,” I say helpfully. “If anything, I should be worried about my own safety. Those heels look lethal.”

Actually,shelooks lethal. She’s got black leggings on, a black coat, and black boots with those deadly four-inch heels. A red knit hat covers her head, with her dark hair streaming out from under it, and she’s wearing bright red lipstick even though it’s only noon.

She’s such a badass, and I think I love her.

“I’m Summer,” I add. “I transferred here from Brown, and I just moved into a townhouse in Hastings.”

She purses her lips for a moment before answering. “I’m Brenna. I live in town too.” She shrugs and marches to the passenger’s side door. “Unlock it for real this time, crazy girl. I’ll take that ride.”

6

SUMMER

“SO, NOT THATI’M COMPLAINING—TRUST ME, I’M HAPPYnot to pay for an Uber or campus taxi—but do you always pick up random chicks in parking lots?” Brenna asks cheerfully.

I snort. “No. And FYI, this isn’t a pick-up. I mean, you’re gorgeous, but I like men.”

“Ha. I like men too. And even if I did like women, you wouldn’t be my type, Malibu Barbie.”

“You’ve got the wrong coast—I’m from Greenwich, Connecticut,” I shoot back, but I’m smiling because I heard the humor in her tone. “And no, I don’t usually invite stranger danger into my life.” I decide to be honest. “I’m doing everything in my power not to go home.”

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