Page 15 of Joyride
“I might.” She shrugs. “Keep sulking and find out.”
“You don’t even know if Sienna told Shade you texted her,” Elena points out. “She’s your best friend. Do you really think she’d give you up that quick?”
“You won’t find out unless you turn your phone on,” Aria adds. I sit on the couch, pulling my knees to my chest. I stare at my cell phone, sitting on the coffee table like it might jump up and bite me. Aria lets out a loud sigh and grabs my phone.
“What are you doing?” I shout.
“I’m turning it on. If you’re that nervous about someone tracking you, we can leave your phone here, and we’ll go hide you somewhere else,” Aria says. Like it’s that easy. She walks out of the room with her eyes glued to her phone. Ever since the guys left Sunday morning, her phone hasn’t left her hands. After everything on the phone loads, it shows I have two notifications. A voicemail and a text. The voicemail is from Sienna. I call and listen.
“Hey, girl. Thank you for letting me know you’re safe. It’ll be our secret. Just know, you have a lot of people worried about you. Come home soon. Love you.”
I wish I could go home. I miss her, Minx and all the other girls. So much. The text message is from a number I don’t have saved, but I recognize it anywhere.
From Sketch:Ready to listen without reacting. No judgment, as always.
The text has Sunday’s date on it. Sienna must have called Sketch after she got my voicemail. How do I have two of the greatest best friends in the Universe, and I can’t even talk to them? I suck.
“Are you okay,” Elena asks.
“Hmm?” I lift my eyes from my phone. “Yeah. I’m fine. You’ll stay with me?”
“Of course,” she replies. “Do you want him to come here? I can get Aria and Harper to leave.”
“Maybe we should go to him. That way, if it gets to be too much, we can leave,” I suggest.
“I’m good with whatever makes you feel most comfortable.”
With the courage building inside me, I decide to text Sketch.
To Sketch:Ready to talk.
Seconds later, my phone vibrates in my hand. I’m staring at the screen, but I haven’t opened the text yet.
“What happened,” Elena asks.
“He texted back. I didn’t expect him to text back so fast,” I admit.
“What did he say?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t opened it yet,” I tell her.
“I’ll go tell Aria and Harper to head out for a few hours,” she says. “I don’t think you’re going anywhere.”
She walks out of the room and I bring myself to open the text.
From Sketch:Name a time and place and I’ll be there.
To Sketch:Aria’s house and come whenever.
From Sketch:I’ll be there in 20.
There’s a tightness in my chest and my heart beats a little faster.
“Did you read the text,” Elena asks.
“He’ll be here in twenty minutes.” I’m still staring at my phone. This is all too real now.
“It’s going to be okay, Wren. I’ll be here with you the whole time. If at any point you want him to leave, say the word and I’ll get him out.”
