Page 106 of Consequences

“Gavin, do you know anyone in the club named Frances?”

He laughs. “No, but I wish I did. I’d give him shit for that name. Why?”

“This woman was asking me to find him. Said he was a Drifter. I can’t explain it, but… I feel like that woman’s going to die soon.”

“You’re, like, the worst psychic ever. Please don’t ever tell me what you see in my future,” Emme says and laughs. “If it’s bad, I’d rather be surprised. I’ll be right back. Just gotta finish one table, and then I’m out.”

Marnie looks at Gavin who gives her a concerned stare. “I hope I’m wrong. But, hey, uh, Lex was in here a bit ago. She can’t reach Hailey. I know you two called it quits, but you haven’t heard from her, have you?”

“Nope. Not since she freaked out because I took advantage of being single like she made me,” he snaps. “Lucas probably has.”

“No, he says he hasn’t talked to her, either. Lex needs to know how much she needs for tuition or something. She’ll probably call.”

“And that woman is probably not going to die,” Gavin says, giving her a reassuring smile.

Forcing a smile of her own, Marnie nods.I wouldn’t be so sure.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Riverview

Hailey

Lucas. He’s called every day since the morning Hailey and Gavin broke up for good. She hasn’t felt the need to talk to her brother, and she really doesn’t feel like talking to Lex, who also keeps calling.

They’re on break, and most people go home. Not Hailey. No, she stayed in the dorms to avoid any possibility of seeing Gavin in Griffin’s Beach. If she sees him out with the waitress, she might actually lose it. And she cannot afford a criminal record.

Turning her phone off, she tosses it onto the bed, not caring that it slides under her pillow. The one person she wants to call hasn’t even texted her since she left that morning.

It doesn’t help that Lindsey’s found herself a boyfriend. She won’t stop talking about the older guy she met at that party Hailey dipped out on, and it’s driving Hailey crazy. Last night, she dreamed about cutting out Lindsey’s tongue just to stop hearing about this guy.

It’s only because I’m jealous. She shouldn’t have to hide her happiness because I miss Gavin. Even if I’m still pissed at him, I can’t get him off my mind.

Something about Lindsey’s boyfriend seems off even though Hailey’s never met him. He buys her clothes to wear out with him, but they’re all child-like. It’s mildly disturbing, especially because she looks like a slutty preteen out on Halloween.

Today, Lindsey left the room wearing a plaid skirt, white button-down shirt tied just below where her boobs should be to show off her belly button, and knee socks with Mary Jane pumps. Put her in pigtails, and she’d look like she’s trying to look like Britney Spears from her first music video.

“Hailey, you’re here!” Lindsey calls as she opens the door. “Good! I want you to meet my boyfriend, Gary.”

Hailey turns in her chair to find Lindsey beaming up at a tall man who looks to be about twenty-five, at least. Not only does it seem disturbing that he wants to dress her younger than she already looks, the way he looks at Lindsey screams RED FLAG.

God, he even looks like a Gary.“Hey.”

His eyes roam over her with a satisfied smile. “Roommates, huh?”

“Well, Gary, you did walk into a dorm room, which is typically where college students live with another person. Not to mention that the two beds, two desks, and two closets should have been a dead giveaway.”

Her sarcasm has no effect on him, and he licks his lips. “You look like you’re studying.”

“Nothing gets by you, huh?”

“You’re supposed to be on break. All work and no play, huh?”

Yeah, this is one creepy dude. Way to go, Lindsey.

“So… do you two ever… you know? Play the naughty co-eds when you’re horny and don’t have a date for the night?”

Lindsey giggles and slaps his chest playfully. “You’re crazy!”

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