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Claire looked up at them with a sigh. “Don’t suppose any of you want to help me out and talk her into going to the hospital?”
Fang and Kian would go along with whatever I wanted. But Vaughn wasn’t always so easily swayed. He stared at me. I gave a tiny shake of my head and mouthed, “Please.”
I couldn’t go there. Not as weak as I was. They wouldn’t let the guys stay with me since it was past visiting hours, and I didn’t want to be helpless and alone anywhere near Caleb’s friends. I wasn’t giving up on my revenge plan. But confronting them right now wasn’t the way either.
I’d been given a second chance at getting it right.
I wouldn’t fail again.
3
REBEL
Vaughn convinced the paramedics to give me some fluids without taking me to the hospital. I had no idea what they put in those squishy bags, but they helped with the disjointed, drunk feeling the drugs had caused. Finally, the paramedics checked Sasha over and grudgingly left, the woman side-eying me like she wanted to sling me over her shoulder and carry me inside the ambulance against my will.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Sasha spun on the four of us. “Does somebody want to tell me what the hell happened here tonight?”
The guys all turned to me.
I sighed, appreciating they realized it was my story to tell. But I was exhausted and cold, despite the insulated medical blanket the paramedics had wrapped around me. “It was no big deal.”
Sasha gave an overstated blink. “Rebel. That guy tried to murder you. Who was he?”
I shook my head. “You have that ‘I love true crime’ glint in your eyes.”
“The only thing in my eyes is chlorine.”
Sasha was early twenties at most, and in the very brief conversation we’d had, she’d already admitted to being a podcast junkie. I loved a good murder mystery as much as anyone, but the one I’d found myself in the middle of was distinctly less fun.
And a whole lot more dangerous than listening to psychopath stories while you cleaned your house.
I didn’t want to drag another person into all of this. “He’s dangerous, Sasha. Please don’t be offended when I tell you I’m not telling you.”
She huffed and pushed to her feet. “Fine. You save a girl’s life and you don’t even get the inside scoop to sell to the tabloids. Rude. I’m off to have a shower then.” She paused at the edge of the pool. “I really am glad you’re all right.”
I smiled at her. “I’m really glad you were snooping. That’s as far as you take it though, okay?”
She rolled her eyes and flounced away. “You’re about as much fun as my parents were. I thought you were cooler.”
Despite the guys’ best efforts to get me inside for a shower, I refused to move until I’d made sure she was safely to her house. Fang checked the entire perimeter and assured me Caleb’s car was nowhere to be seen, but I didn’t quite believe he wasn’t still hanging around, hiding in the bushes. He wouldn’t have wanted to be caught, but I knew him.
Watching me drown would have been something to write about in his diary. I could just imagine him going home to his gigantic, too-modern house and pulling out a notebook from beneath his mattress. Dear Diary. Today I outdid myself on the vile factor. Think I might have set a new record for evil. Didn’t even get caught. Just destroying lives one after the other, like a complete and utter pro. More despicable acts to come! Stay tuned! XOXO, Caleb.
Ugh.
I really fucking hated that guy.
“She’s inside.” Fang scooped me up from the lawn chair I was huddled on. Not the one that had taken a dip in the pool with me. It was shoved to the side in disgrace, but it didn’t help much, since all the chairs were identical.
I wasn’t sure I’d ever swim in that pool again. Or any pool. The memory of no air in my lungs came back all too sharp and real, bringing a racking bout of coughing with it. Any peace I’d found in the bottom of that pool had been all in my head. Because my body felt like it had been hit by a Mack truck.
Fang carried me to the house, keeping my blanket wrapped around me tightly, muttering about calling the paramedics back and forcing me into the ambulance, even though we both knew he wouldn’t. Kian and Vaughn followed a few steps behind us. I peeped over Fang’s shoulder as the coughing subsided, watching them walk side by side.
“Hey.” Kian reached a pinky finger out to Vaughn, brushing it over the back of his hand. “You okay?”
Vaughn pulled his hand away sharply, then shook his head.
“She’s alive,” Kian whispered. “She’s here. We got her back. Stop beating yourself up. It wasn’t your fault.”