Page 89 of Science Project

Eyes widening slightly, I glanced toward his parking spot to see it empty. Where was he, and when had he stuffed this in here? It had to have been within a few hours ago because when I got to cheer practice tonight, there hadn’t been anyone here.

After stuffing the note into my backpack, I turned on my car and headlights. It was nearly eight o’clock and dark at Redwood. I had a few hours to kill before I met Akio—no way in hell was I missing that—so I headed home for a quick dinner.

Halfway into cooking some leftovers in the microwave, the front door slammed open.

“I’m going to fucking kill that kid,” Dad growled, clutching his side.

What happened to him?

Bloody bandages were wrapped around his bare torso. He hobbled into the house to the kitchen and pulled out a beer from the fridge. After popping it open, he put it to his lips and walked right out of the house without saying a word to me.

I released a breath—thankful that he either hadn’t noticed me or hadn’t cared to touch me tonight—and I snatched a quick bite to eat before heading out to the Overlook to meet Akio, though … I didn’t know why he hadn’t just texted me to meet him there.

What was with the note?

Ah, whatever. At least I get to see him tonight.

An hour later, Dad still hadn’t returned, so I headed out before he got back and could stop me from seeing Akio tonight. I didn’t know who had shot Dad or stabbed him, but I didn’t care. He’d deserved it.

After driving around Redwood to kill some more time, I found my way down by the beach. While this place was popping during the summer, it was dead in the late fall, early winter. And way too dark for my liking. It gave me the creeps.

A couple of kids had drowned down here last summer in the middle of the night, and their families had found them the next morning. All I remember was being at the police station when it’d happened and listening to the cries of their mother.

Memories of Hannah had been increasingly hard since that night.

When I reached the end of the road, I turned right and headed down to the Overlook. Mansions with views of the Atlantic Ocean sat to my left, the ocean to my right. I drove on the desolate road until I came to another curve—the Overlook.

I drove through it once to make sure that nobody was perched outside and waiting for me, then I parked on the side of the road, waiting for Akio. The last time I had been here with him, we had seen Sakura Sato and Mr. Avery fuck, and I had spent a nice night with Akio in the back of his car.

Tonight … I didn’t know what would happen.

Fifteen minutes past eleven, and Akio still wasn’t anywhere to be found. A couple of cars had driven past to admire the views, but nobody had parked in front of or behind me. I didn’t want the company anyway.

Needing some fresh air, I shut off my car and stepped out into the chilly fall breeze. I tasted the salt from the ocean on my tongue as I walked over to the rocks, leaning against one at the top. Moonlight glimmered off the water.

I gazed down at the waves hitting the rocks and noticed something smashing against the shore. My eyes widened slightly, and I looked around to make sure nobody was watching before I descended a few more rocks to get a better view.

When I reached the rock before the water, my mouth dropped open.

Bruised in multiple places on his face and neck, Pick’s corpse was being thrown against the rocks repeatedly. He still had on his police uniform, but it was ripped from what looked to be a knife, and a sheet of paper stuck out from his shirt pocket, drenched in salty water.

Warmth spread throughout my chest, and I didn’t even have to pull the paper out to know that … Akio had had his family do it to protect me. To prove himself to me. To show me that he really wanted this, wanted us.

I pulled the paper from Pick’s pocket and unfolded it.

I told you I’d protect you.

—A

CHAPTER

FIFTY-ONE

NICOLE

Twelve thirty that night, I banged on Akio’s front door. I didn’t know what had come over me, but I couldn’t stop myself. His car was parked in the driveway, and it didn’t seem like his mother or father was home.

When nobody answered on the first knock, I knocked again. This time louder.

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