Page 53 of The Sweetest Revenge

Mila's fingers flew across the keyboard, her brows furrowed in concentration. The room fell silent except for the soft tapping of keys. Minutes ticked by, feeling like hours. Finally, Mila released a frustrated sigh, pushing her dark hair back from her face. "I don't see anything on her Instagram other than she's attending Brigham University in Texas, but—" Her eyes widened, a smile breaking across her face. "Wait! I found her phone number on her Facebook page."

"Fuck yes!" I practically leaped off the couch, my heart racing. My hands shook slightly as I fumbled to pull my phone from my pocket. I unlocked the screen, my finger hovering over the keypad. "What is it? I'll call her and find out exactly what Kacie said and what she told Zaiden."

"It is 865-873-0921."

I punched the numbers into the phone and pulled it to my ear." I held my breath as it continued to ring, only releasing it in a rush of air when her voicemail picked up.

"Shit," I muttered.

I knew that was too easy.

"Maybe leave her a message," Journey suggested. "She probably doesn't answer numbers she doesn't recognize."

I shook my head. "If she knows it's me, she definitely won't answer." I'd just have to keep trying.

CHAPTER26

ARIELLA

"Still no answer?" Journey asked as we trudged up the weathered frat house steps, our phones glowing in the dark—another failed call. We'd been calling every thirty minutes all day, and still no answer.

"Still nothing." I pocketed my phone with more force than necessary.

Mila fidgeted with her phone case, peeling at the corner. "Maybe you should leave a message."

"Or send her a text." Journey paced the creaking porch boards behind us.

If she saw my name pop up, she'd probably ignore it, especially after lying to Zaiden. "I'll keep trying until she answers."

The porch railing groaned as Mila slumped against it. "What if she never answers?"

"Then I'll—" A car door slammed somewhere in the darkness, making me jump. "I'll show up at her school."

Journey's keys jangled as she stumbled back. "In Texas?"

"Yes." The word came out sharp. I uncurled my fingers, finding half-moon marks where my nails had dug into my palms. "The longer this goes on, the more time Zaiden has to ruin my life."

We all stood side by side on the porch of the old wooden house. "I can't believe we are having a party tonight." My gaze scanned up the house. "Feels a little morbid to celebrate after what happened."

"I think everyone is just trying to find a way to move on." Journey touched my arm as we crossed the threshold, the bass vibrating in our chests.

"Plus, we have a lot to celebrate," Mila smirked. "We don't have to get on our knees anymore to keep our spots on the team."

"Yeah, and at least you don't have to worry about Zaiden here." Journey added.

"Yeah," I shrugged. Journey was right. After the first party of the year, the teams usually didn't co-mingle. "I guess." I didn't want to go out tonight, but it was kind of an unspoken requirement.

I tugged at my sleeve, already planning my escape. "I think I'm going to make a quick appearance, and then I'm bailing."

"What?" Mila's brows furrowed as she spun toward me. "EJ isn't going to like that."

The mention of his name sent a wave of irritation through me. "Not my problem. Plus, I need to keep calling Sam, and if she doesn't pick up, I'll have to figure out another way to get a hold of her."

Mila cocked an eyebrow. "Like what?"

I shrugged. "I don't know." A plan formed as I said it. "Maybe she'll come home for Thanksgiving Break, and I can catch her then."

"That's several weeks away," Mila scowled.

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