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“What?” Tina said, “I’m not getting bludgeoned to death for that fool.”

Phoebe let go of a languorous sigh. “Carla, listen to me.”

“NO!”

Tina took another step back. In school, they weren’t in trouble often, but when a fight confronted them, Tina remembered all too well how Carla got down. She would—and could—knock someone out, minus the bat.

Carla let the bat hang at her side and grabbed Phoebe’s shoulder.

“Phoebe, I appreciate you. God, you have no idea. But listen to me. No one is stopping me from doing what needs to be done. Get OUT OF MY WAY!”

Concerned, Phoebe’s eyes moved between her and Tina. “A little help, please?!”

Carla sighed harshly and rushed past Phoebe.

Both Phoebe and Tina screamed, “Carla!” Then they ran after her.

“It’s not worth it!” Phoebe yelled at Carla’s back as she exited the front door. Phoebe caught the screen door before it shut in their faces. “We’ll call the police; trust me, Lennox won’t get away with this!”

They tracked her to the Infiniti, where Carla opened her car door and slipped inside.

“Carla!” Phoebe shouted, exasperated. She turned to Tina, who shuffled around her, running to the passenger door before Carla could peel off, jumping in and slamming the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Carla looked at Tina and threw the car in reverse.

“You don’t think I’m about to let you go over wherever it is that you’re going alone, do you?” When Carla hit the gas pedal, the car swerved into the road and shot off down the street.

Back in the yard, Phoebe snatched her phone from her purse and dialed Tina. “Come on, pick up the phone, Tina.”

The call went to voicemail, and quickly Phoebe sent off two text messages.

I need to know the address when you get there.

Carla hasn’t told me what’s going on outside of what we witnessed on tape. Who is this guy Lennox?

A minute passed, then a text message from Tina came through.

Are you going to represent her in case if she needs a lawyer?

Phoebe frowned and typed.

Hell yes.

Phoebe knew Carla would need a lawyer, especially if she were on her way to assault Lennox.

Tina responded, giving Phoebe the same story Carla gave her when she arrived today. Phoebe’s eyes widened as she read the message, and all of a sudden, she was angry.

Stop her from going in, and don’t forget to send me the address.

Phoebe jogged back up Carla’s porch and pulled her door and screen closed.

How am I supposed to stop her? Did you see how well that worked at the house?

“Lord, have mercy, help me please,” Phoebe prayed.

Stop being scared and grab her or something!

The next message that came back was an address and a middle finger emoji.