Page 99 of Rastor

That much was true. My sister was spending the holiday with her new boyfriend's family, and my brothers weren't exactly the turkey-baking types.

When I made no response, Amber said in a voice filled with concern, "You're still bummed about Chloe, aren't you?"

Bummed. It was a funny word for how I felt.

I had a hard time getting up in the morning, and an even harder time falling asleep. I spent my waking hours replaying all the stuff I should've said or done differently. And then, when Ididfall asleep, I woke up, cold and empty, hours before my alarm, only to lie in bed, wondering what the hell I should do now.

I wasn't bummed. I was a fucking mess.

But all I said was, "I dunno."

"How about this?" Amber perked up. "Invite Chloe, too. Like a reunion thing. She likes turkey, right?"

If only it were that simple. "Thanks, but I'm pretty sure she has plans."

What those plans were, I had no idea. I just knew they didn't involve me.

Her voice grew softer. "Just think about it. Okay?"

From inside my car, I saw a pair of headlights turning into the lot. Under the headlight's glare, I couldn't tell the car's make or model, so I waited, keeping an eye out while Amber switched gears by saying, "Hey, you wanna hear thelatestthing Brittney's saying?"

"Sure. Hit me."

"Check this out." Her voice rose. "She's running around telling people that I screwed her boyfriend."

"She has a boyfriend?"

"No. And that's my whole point. It's a total lie, unless you count her new boss. And there's no way I'd hook up withhim. Seriously. Ick."

Brittney's new boss happened to be Chloe's boss, too. It confirmed everything I'd been thinking. Not only had I caused that scene outside the restaurant, I'd also been the person who'd brought Brittney into Chloe's life, and as a result, into her workplace, too.

Now, because of all this, Chloe was about to get fired – except she wasn't. Not if I had anything to say about it.

I watched as the car pulled into a nearby spot and cut the lights, giving me a nice, clear view of the front end. I felt myself smile. Sure enough, it was a Lincoln Town Car, the same one that Brittney had crawled out of the other night, in this same parking lot.

"Sorry," I told Amber. "I've gotta run. Catch you later, alright?"

I disconnected the call and got out of my car. I strolled, nice and easy, taking the long way, toward the back of the Lincoln. When the driver's side door opened, there I was, waiting just a couple of feet away.

When the driver spotted me, he almost jumped out of his skin. Sure enough, it was Keith, Chloe's manager. And he looked scared shitless.

God, what a pussy.

"I'm not gonna hurt you," I said.

He straightened. "I know that." But then, he ruined the effect by glancing at his car, looking like he was about to make a break for it.

I stepped closer. "You wanna take off? Fine by me. I'll just come back tomorrow." I smiled. "Or, I could visit you at home."

He stuck out his chin. "You don't even know where I live."

As an answer, I rattled off his street address and waited.

After a long, tense moment, he said, "What do you want?"

I kept my tone friendly. "I want to make you an offer."

"Oh yeah?" He crossed his arms. "Like what?"