Page 130 of The Broken Note

Jinx’s video keeps pressing at the back of my mind.

Dutch is choosing the worst time to talk about this.

“It’s not your problem,” I grind out.

“Of course it’s my problem. Everything that concerns you is my problem.”

I stiffen at his possessive tone. “Don’t think what happened on the hill means anything’s changed. You and I are still mortal enemies.”

“You screw all your mortal enemies?” he asks, cocking a brow at me.

He has a point.

Rather than answering the question, I twist around and face him confidently. “You and I… we mess around sometimes. We… use each other to let out steam. That’s it.”

His jaw works for a minute, like he’s thinking hard about my words, and then he gestures with his chin toward Redwood.

“Go inside before you say something even more ridiculous, Cadey.”

I scowl at him, the urge to fight snapping through me.

You want to fight Dutch or watch Jinx’s video?

It’s an easy choice.

I sprint into Redwood and duck into the nearest bathroom. After locking myself in a stall, I lift my cell phone again.

Thumb up. Breath shaking.

I slam the play button.

The video starts again, a steady picture of the hallway. Suddenly, there’s a pop and the tinkle of glass breaking. A slightwhooshfills my ears.

On my screen, a shadow falls on the floor.

The outline of the true culprit.

My head is reeling.

I’m so close to the truth, I can taste it.

But why am I so nervous?

I wipe away the sweat forming above my upper lip.

On screen, orange and red glow against the lockers. Reflections of the mounting fire. The culprit walks closer and closer to the camera. Steady footsteps. Arms loose. No more perturbed by the destruction he caused than Vi would be if she broke a nail.

And then he’s there.

In the frame.

Familiar brown eyes. Broad shoulders. Thick, wavy hair.

The fourth member of The Kings.

The only friend I have among the ruthless boys of Redwood Prep.

Sol.