Page 48 of Zero Chance

I sent him a grateful glance, only to say, “She’d just be over every day to make sure I was okay.”With a shrug, I made a face.“And she has grounds to worry.I haven’t exactly given her a lot of reasons to trust me.”

Parker lifted one eyebrow.“She’s gotta learn to let you go one of these days.You’re not getting any younger.”

This was true.I was an adult now.I should stop worrying about appeasing my mother’s concerns and start being more independent.

Except it was my fault she worried so much.

When I nodded miserably, only feeling worse, Parker motioned between me and my house.“You going to be okay if we take off, or should we stick around for a while?”

“Oh, no.”I waved them away.“You don’t have to babysit me.I’m fine.You go.”

“Well, call if you need anything,” Hope said.

I nodded and sent them a small smile.“Thanks.Sorry again for making you guys go through…all that.”

“It made for an interesting evening,” Parker assured me, then lifted his hand in farewell as he steered Hope away.“Take care, Library Girl.”

I smiled vaguely and watched them go before heading to my front door.I glanced up at the camera briefly, certain Mom had the camera and movement notifications turned on now, pinging her phone as I went inside.I waved at it again, giving her the proof of life she needed.

With a sigh, I dragged my feet over the threshold and shut the door, groaning in defeat as I slumped against the portal and wiped my hands over my face.

“Oh my God,” I groaned.But what a perfectly awful ending to a perfectly disastrous night.

I had ventured out on my own, attempted socialization, had my first consensual sexual encounter, and it felt as if I’d just gotten my hand slapped like a scolded child for even trying to leave my comfort zone.

“You’re an idiot,” I told myself.

There was a reason I never did anything or went anywhere or talked to anyone.Because I always did it all wrong.

Tears filled my eyes, just as my phone chimed with an incoming text.

Xander.

Dammit.She was starting to freak out because she couldn’t find me at the party, and I wasn’t answering my phone.

Because that was all I seemed to be any good at.Worrying people.

I called her back before she could contact the cops as well.

“Oh my God,” she cried as she answered.“Frankie, are you okay?I was about to send out a search party.”

“I’m fine,” I told her.“I’m sorry.I forgot my phone at home, so I didn’t see your messages until I got back.”

“Got back?So you’re home?Right now?”

“Yeah, I?—”

“Oh, Frankie.”She sounded hurt.

Realizing how shitty of a friend I’d been, I dropped to the floor and sat with my back to the door, hugging my knees to my chest.Xander had been counting on me to be there.And I’d failed her too.

I failed at everything.

“I’m sorry.”I sniffed away tears and wiped at my damp face.“I should’ve told you I was going to go.I just?—”

“Are you crying?Oh my God, you’re crying.What happened?Who do I have to kill?Are you okay?I swear, I turned away for one minute and you were gone.I’m such an awful friend.I didn’t mean to ignore you.”

“You didn’t—” I blinked, stunned she was blamingherself.“I just—I’m not good with parties.And Parker and Hope were leaving, so I just—I got a ride home from them.”

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