Page 85 of Edge of Unbroken

“That’s probably not a bad idea. Being alone in the house all day probably isn’t beneficial to her mental health. It’ll be good for her to be at school and around people.”

“Yeah, except it may not be good for people to have her around them. She’s… she’s a mess, Cat,” Zack huffs.

I follow him down the hallway to the stairs. “Are you still doing okay with this… development?” I ask cautiously.

“With my best friend breaking up with my sister?”

I nod.

Zack shrugs. “I obviously wish it wasn’t so awkward, but I’m not gonna, like, be pissed at Steve for doing what he thinks is best for him. I’m not blind, Cat. I know how down in the dumps he’s been about Ran; I’m aware of how much Steve and my sister have been fighting. And I also know Steve didn’t break it off to be an ass or hurt her or because he cheated on her. It’s just… things are just really hard right now, and I think everyone is dealing the best way they know how.”

I nod at his awareness and, honestly, his maturity.

Zack was spot on in describing Vada as a mess. Her hair is unkempt, wild-looking, and I’m not convinced she’s changed clothes at all since last week; her sweats and that hoodie look oddly like the ones she wore last weekend. She looks pitiful. It’s heart-wrenching.

I spend the afternoon with Vada, then ask Zack if he’ll walk me home around seven that evening.

A momentary look of consternation flashes in his face when I ask if he’d mind pausing whatever show he’s watching to make the ten-minute walk to my house with me. But Zack hesitates only for a second before he jumps up from the couch.

“Oh, yeah, of course!” he says, and leads the way into the foyer.

I’ve never had a problem going anywhere by myself, and I’ve certainly never asked Zack to walk me home. I’ve never felt the need to because I’ve always lived in a bubble of safety. But that sense of safety has eroded quickly with the news of Adam’s “alleged” assault of his girlfriend, the outstanding arrest warrant, and his reappearance in my life.

I hate having to constantly look over my shoulder, despise having to be vigilant, to be aware of my surroundings wherever I go. It sucks the joy out of even the little things in life and puts me seriously on guard.

It’s exactly that sense of dread that causes my blood pressure to spike when my phone buzzes on the nightstand just as I’m getting comfortable in bed this evening. I hate that Adam’s burly face is the first to appear in my mind now, rather than Ronan’s. Adam is encroaching on my psyche, his terror taking root, spreading with venomous tentacles hooking their toxic spikes into my insides.

But it’s neither Adam’s “unknown” nor Ronan’s Montana number that lights up my screen.

“Drew?” I answer, surprised. I’ve only ever communicated with Drew through a group chat. We’ve never texted one-on-one, and he’s never just flat-out called me—especially at this time of day.

“Yeah, hi Cat. Sorry, did I wake you?”

“No, not yet. I’m about to go to bed though,” I say. “Is everything okay?” I sit up in bed, fully expecting bad news. Why else would Drew call this late?

That’s another thing I’ve noticed: I immediately think worst-case scenario now. God, how does Adam hold such power? It’s just not right!

“Oh, everything’s fine. I just wanted to apologize for Noah earlier today. He was being a total twat.”

Drew is obviously referring to Noah’s comments from this morning—his surprise at Shane’s decision to spend time with me, and his suggestion that the only reason Shane would spend time with me is because we’re having sex. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is what the rumors morph into. Perhaps people will blame Shane for Ronan’s disappearance, too. How juicy and sinister of a tale would it be if Shane made his best friend disappear so he could get at his best friend’s girl? This story practically writes itself. I almost giggle at the thought. It’s all so absurd.

I fall back against my pillow, relieved that Drew is calling about this irrelevant nonsense rather than to share discomforting news. “Don’t even worry about it,” I say and yawn. I’m wiped.

“But Idoworry about it, Cat. It was a total dick move by Noah. The last thing I want is your feelings to get hurt. You don’t deserve that.”

“Thank you, Drew. That’s really sweet.”

“Yeah, well, it’s the truth. I told Noah that you obviously aren’t sleeping with Shane…” He trails off, then adds, “Right?”

I frown. “Of course I’m not sleeping with Shane! Drew, you can’t believe any of the rumors going around. Trust me when I tell younoneof it is true, okay?” I say, shaking my head. I’m tired of the gossip, too. I’m just so ready for things to stop being so chaotic.

“Right. Of course,” he says quickly, then dithers for a moment. “You sure I can’t convince you to go to the winter dance with me… uh, us? We don’t have to stay long. Could be fun.”

A light laugh escapes my lips at the childlike hopefulness in his drawling tone. “I’m sure it could be, but don’t you think you and me showing up at some dance together would only force-feed the rumor mill?”

“Maybe, yeah, but—”

“I honestly just want to keep my head down, Drew. I want people to stop talking.” I hear my own exhaustion in my words.

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