Page 34 of Twisted Trails

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I frown. “No. No, I don’t.”

“Well then, we’re gonna have to figure out where she is, aren’t we?”

“I think I know how.” I bite my lip, then reluctantly thumb open the message thread that’s been buzzing at the back of my brain all day.

The last message is still sitting there.

Luc

Don’t leave me on read, Pretty Boy.

I hit reply before I can talk myself out of it.

Alaina still at the hospital?

It doesn’t take long for him to answer.

Luc

Why the hell do you want to know?

I roll my eyes.

I want to talk to her.

Luc

You better not yell at her again. I swear to God, Payne, I’m gonna kill you if you even think about upsetting her. Enough shit’s going on right now.

Did something else happen? Or is he talking about her injuries?

I didn’t think I could feel any guiltier, but here we are.

I won’t. Promise.

There’s a pause, and I tap my finger against the side of my phone when his next text comes in.

Luc

Do you still have my hoodie?

My eyes flick down to the pink sleeves covering my hands.

Yeah.I’m literally wearing it.

What?

Luc

My hoodie. The pink one. You still have it, don’t you?

What about it? Want it back?

Luc

Justwondering if you slept in it :)

My brain short-circuits a little. I blink hard at the screen, like maybe if I stare long enough, the emoji will disappear.

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