Page 116 of Savage Daddies

And if the cops haven’t sentenced me to life for false accusations.

The cop dips a hand into his pocket and retrieves a tissue, which he gives to Zoe.

She pats her eyes.

I catch wind of the conversation. Something about her sister being safe.

“There’s a fleet currently on route to your father’s house now. Is Sammy with him?”

She nods.

“They’ll take her off him, and you’ll be able to collect her from the station. What about Fiona, your sister? You saved her from the tree. Where is she now?”

“At Wrangler’s house.”

“We strongly advise you take her to the ER. If she was minutes from death, a healthcare professional will need to check her over.”

The layers of voices grow louder, the conversation with Zoe and the officer dwindling away. Four microphones have been shoved inches from my face, and I don’t know where to look.

“Did you have a crush on Zoe back when she was your student, Mr. Reeves?”

“How are you feeling tonight?”

“Mr. Reeves, we have two million viewers watching this live stream right now. Are you able to spare two minutes of your precious time and talk us through your relationship with Zoe?”

“Do you guys all, like,do itat the same time?”

“Stop being such a prude and call it a foursome.”

A headache boils my sinuses.

How does Zoe do it?

I turn around and find her wrapping up with the officer. Red hair lifts in the wind and blows behind her like a flag. Looking at her makes off of the voice fade away.

In this world, it’s just me, Zoe, Sammy, and my two friends.

Nothing else matters.

Later down the line, she could break my heart and force me to clean up all of the pieces, and it’d be worth it for getting to be by her side. Yes, happiness is short-lived and not promised in the future, but you have to grab it with both hands. Embrace the journey instead of fearing the end—the threat of Felix Fernando has taught me that.

The officer leaves Zoe’s side, and she turns to look into Caesar’s, catching my eye.

We share a triumphant smile.

Until the officer takes possession of my hands and says, “Harrison Reeves, you’re under arrest for suspicion of sexual assault.”

27

BULLWHIP

It’s beentwenty-four hours since the wine tasting event.

Twenty-four hours since Poet has been gone.

Zoe and Fiona sit together on Wrangler’s couch. Earlier today, we took her to the ER and had Lifesaver check out her vitals. If one good thing has come out of today, it’s that no major damage has been done to Fiona.

Words have been few since last night. To be honest, it’s the first time all of us have been alone. Wrangler’s place doesn’t have much, but itdoeskeep us hidden from the press. They’ve been hounding us all fucking day.

---