Page 22 of Heresy

“I don’t want to wait that long. Where does your friend work? I’ll meet you there.”

My eyes dart to the clock again.

As usual, Ames is taking her dear sweet time. We should have been on the road ten minutes ago.

Granger is going to spank her ass red for being late again. Knowing he’ll be angry does nothing to help slow the quick speed of my pulse or the way my fingers tighten down on the phone.

“Myth.”

Another sigh followed by the sound of a car honking close to where Everly is.

“I’ll be there. Meet me downstairs.”

The line goes silent when she hangs up, and a groan crawls up my throat. I resist the urge to storm up to Ames’s apartment to drag her to the car.

Thankfully, it only takes another three minutes for her to step out the door, her back to me as she quickly locks it and races down the open hallway to the stairs at the side of the building.

By the time she reaches my car, I’m practically bouncing in my seat.

This was the first I’d heard from Everly in weeks, and judging by the quick snap to her words, she is no better off now than she was last time we spoke.

“Hey, sorry. Foot on the gas and all that. Granger is going to kill me for being late again.”

At least I didn’t have to tell her. But our mutual concern about whether she’ll still have a job by the end of the night isn’t enough to wipe the smile from Ames’s face.

Blue hair swishes over her shoulders as she buckles her seatbelt, her violet eyes locking on me, the skin between them crinkling.

“You can’t be that worried. One dance and Granger will forgive me.”

I shake my head, ignoring the comment as I back the car out of the space and drive through the parking lot.

We’re on the street, racing at about five over the posted speed limit by the time I answer her.

“It’s not that.”

“What is it, then?”

I chew on the inside of my cheek.

The issue with Everly has been going on for a few years, and I’ve never really discussed it openly with anybody. Nobody has ever told me to keep it a secret, but I still feel an instinctual need to stay quiet.

“No reason,” I mutter.

“That’s bullshit, and we both know it.”

Ames continues staring at me, her eyes burning holes in the side of my face as the city rolls past us. Lights bleed into the interior of the car before melting away, my gaze hard on the road ahead of us that is thankfully light of traffic.

“Tell me what’s going on.”

I should have just lied and said it was Granger worrying me.

“Just some family issues. Nothing you should worry about.”

“But you’re my friend, and whatever is going on is bothering you. Does this have something to do with the flash drive? Kane and Chris should be able to crack the encryption. It just takes time.”

Glancing at her, I decide to go along with this reason, even though it’s not the exact truth.

“My dad needs results. You know how it is.”

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