Page 80 of Gambler's Fallacy

I whimper and shake my head. “Here,” I say quickly. “I don’t want to go upstairs.”

If we go upstairs, Havoc and Vortex will yell at me again. They’ll tell me how dumb I am, they’ll want to know why I would do anything sostupid.

“All right,” Caleb answers. He places his arm around my shoulder and leads me toward Havoc and Vortex.

Trent gives me a strange smile. “Guess you really had to go, huh.” He holds up his phone. “Why don’t you give me your phone number, and I can put you and Lori in touch? She’d love to chat about cartoons with somebody.”

“Anime,” Caleb corrects, exasperated. “But that might be a good idea. Lori can talk about her shows for hours.” He squeezes my shoulders. “Only if you want to though.”

I’m not ready for that, and I know it, but I nod and recite my phone number for Trent even as I stay rigid at Caleb’s side instead of relaxing into his touch. Trent types it into his phone, and a few seconds later my phone buzzes.

“I texted you her number too. Lori Spade—because her mother insisted Lori get the Spade name.” Trent laughs. “Feminists, am I right?”

Havoc coughs into his hand. “Or because Spade is a better name than yours.”

“It’s certainly more prestigious.” Caleb squeezes my shoulder once more. “Anyway, Trent, I think Brendan was looking for you. He has a concern about one of the dealers.”

Trent stares at him blankly, then nods. “Right. Okay, I’ll take care of that. Nice seeing you again, Seven. I’ll buy you that coffee next time.”

He waves and walks off, leaving me with Vortex and Havoc looming in front of me.

“Coffee sounds like a good idea,” Caleb says. “Can you two get us all a round of coffees? A cappuccino for me, and a mocha for Seven.”

I feel small and alone despite Caleb’s arm around me, and I’m keenly aware of the fact that we’ve attracted a small audience.

“Got it,” Vortex says, glancing at me before he and Havoc disappear.

Caleb leads me over to the cordoned-off area, guiding me to the booth at the small round table. I sit down, hugging my arms against my chest and wishing I could draw my knees up, too, to make myself an even smaller target.

“He didn’t have to call you,” I mumble.

What would’ve happened if Trent hadn’t come right then?

I think I’d have been that red smear on the ground, but I don’t tell Caleb that.

“For all his faults, Trent apparently does have some human decency.” Caleb takes my phone out of my pocket and taps on the screen.

The passcode is 7777, and he types it in to access my texts.

“Lori really does like to geek out,” Caleb says as he adds her number into my contacts. “And she’s twelve, so she doesn’t have the sense to calm down about it.” After he’s done, he sets my phone down in front of me.

I stare at it, then look back up at Caleb. “I wasn’t going to do anything,” I lie.

“I’m afraid I don’t believe you,” Caleb answers. “You scared Trent—and you scared me.”

My heart skips a beat. Of all the things I expected him to say, that hadn’t been one of them. Caleb is so calm, so self-assured, and I can’t see him being scared about anything like that. “I’m sorry,” I say. “I didn’t mean to.”

No, I’d meant to just end it and not worry about anyone else, about hurting them or being hurt, and that would’ve been that.

Caleb takes my hand into his and squeezes it. “If you feel like getting your foot onto the ledge again, call me or Vortex or Havoc first.”

The smile that twists my lips has to be ugly, but I can’t bring myself to care. “They’ll only tell me I’m stupid.”

“I will personally whip them both if they do,” Caleb answers, right as Havoc and Vortex return with the drinks.

“I’d like to see you try,” Havoc says, placing the hot mocha down in front of me. “Your arm will get tired before I feel anything.”

“I’d never tell you you’re stupid,” Vortex says, sounding subdued. He slides into the spot next to me, and when I flinch, he doesn’t try to get closer to me. “Especially if you’re hurting, Seven. I’m sorry we upset you so much that you thought this was the answer. I…” He swallows thickly.

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