Page 81 of From Us, Forever

Frowning, I turned, and my eyes rounded, staring at the person I least expected to see today. “What are you doing here?” I asked in disbelief.

“You’re a hard one to track alone.” White sighed, her fingers skimming the hoodie off her head.

She looked different, worse than the last time I saw her. Her eyes were dull, her skin dry like it had aged in mere weeks, and her hair no longer glossy and smooth.

It wasn’t trepidation that swirled within me; it was pity. I guessed karma was a bitch after all. `

I narrowed my eyes. “You aren’t supposed to be here.”

She swallowed. “I know, but it looks like you idiots aren’t listening to me.”

Even after all this shit, her condescending tone remained. I pulled my phone from my pocket. “Look, I don’t know what the fuck you were thinking coming here, but I’m gonna call Jay.”

I halted when she stepped toward me with an exasperated expression as her thin, bony fingers wrapped around my wrist. “No, don’t. Please listen. I mean no harm.” Her pale blue eyes flashed with panic.

I scoffed, wrenching my hand away. “You really think I believe that? After everything you’ve done? You’ve been tormenting us for years. I know you called the press on me and spread all those insolent rumors.”

“I didn’t. Look, I did want Emmie at one point, and a part of me always will, but right now, that’s the least of my concerns. I just want the money. Because if you don’t give it to me, I might as well be dead. Now that loser Nathan’s gone and gotten himself arrested—I’m fucking screwed.” She frantically pulled her hair, pacing the floor.

My brows furrowed. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”

“Trouble!?” She laughed ungraciously. “Of course, I’m in trouble—big fucking trouble.” She pointed a furious finger at me. “But all that’s over now. I just want the money so I canpay him, take some myself, and get the fuck out of this country before I end up in a plastic bag.”

I swallowed as I watched her go unhinged, mumbling to herself while she walked back and forth, scratching her arms.

I sent a quick text to Jay and Tyler, slid the phone back inside, and took a cautious step toward her, holding out a hand.

If this was the only way I would get some answers, then so be it. “Look, if you’re in some kind of serious trouble, Jay can help you. You said someone was after you? Who?”

Her panicked eyes met mine, and she folded her arms to herself. “Dennis,” she whispered, and I barely would’ve caught it if not for the quiet of the apartment.

My frown deepened. “Dennis?” I repeated.

I remember Jay telling me something about him working with Mr. White after he finished school.

“Why?”

A shrill laugh left her. “Why do you think? It’s you.” She gritted through her teeth. “It’s all because of you.”

Confusion flooded my blood. “Why me? I didn’t do anything.”

She sighed. “Yes, you didn’t, technically. But you also did, in a way. Even I don’t fucking understand, and I don’t really want to. Just give me the money, and I won’t bother you. I swear.”

What the fuck was going on here?

Before I could get another word out of her, the door flung open, and Tyler and Jay burst in.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Jay’s voice directed to White, so cold and hard that a chill ran down my spine.

In a quick stride, he was in front of me.

“Go with Tyler.” He gestured to me.

And when I didn’t move, he thundered, “Now, Evelyn.”

“But Jay.” I circled my hand around his arm.

His eyes burned, rooting me in place. “Please go.”

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