Touch (Denazen #1)(68)

“Dez, helooo? Are you deaf, girl?” A car pulled up alongside and Curd hopped out. Looking sleek in black leather pants and a crisp black button down.

“Curd!” I threw my arms around his shoulders. “Are you okay?”

He pulled away, glaring at me. “No thanks to you. Not cool to split on me like that right as I crashed.”

“Crashed?”

“I went up to get you and your boy a soda and voom! Last thing I remember was pulling a cold one from the fridge, enjoying my buzz. One too many uppers that morning, I guess. I passed out cold. But to leave me facedown on the floor? Not cool.”

He didn’t know what had happened. Part of me felt grateful. “I’m sorry. I got a call and we had to book.”

“Whatever.” Curd gave me a once-over and frowned. “What are you doing over here? There’s a red square rave in the field outside Fallow Farm. Heading home to change?” In my wrinkled hoodie and dirty jeans, I must have looked like a walking disaster. Definitely not how Curd was used to seeing me.

“No party for me tonight. It’s been a long few days. I’m heading to a friend’s to crash.”

“Aww. I told Fin Meyers you were gonna be there. You were asking about him so I figured—”

“Who is Fin Meyers?” Kale asked. From the way he snatched my hand and squeezed, I got the impression he was jealous. He was definitely more normal than he realized. I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze in return.

“When did I ask you about that jerk?”

He looked at me as though I’d shown up wearing last year’s jeans. “Um, this afternoon? When you called me? Wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise? We discussed Sumrun invites, or do you not remember that either?” He shook his head. “I gotta say, with your drool scale, it surprised me you wanted to be bothered with a walking disease like Fin, but to each her own. I heard you were into some weird shit.”

Kale’s brow furrowed. “When did you have time—?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t.” To Curd, I said, “I haven’t spoken to you since the day we showed up at your place.”

A wave of nausea washed over me.

Mercy.

That’s why my address book had been open on the desk. I hadn’t pulled one over on Denazen—they’d pulled one over on me. The list, the emails, Kale’s escape, it had all been a setup.

Curd’s voice echoed through my haze. “You’re looking a little pale, Dez. Everything all right?”

I couldn’t answer right away. If I opened my mouth, I’d scream my head off.

“Dez?” Something slipped over my shoulder. Kale’s arm. “What’s wrong?”

I remembered the emails on the flash drive. Of course. They’d need someone to get the party’s location. Who better than me. Sumrun was one of our town’s biggest secrets. They could ask Alex, but he’d tell them he didn’t know. Mercy had my voice and my address book. I’d practically handed her the location on a golden platter. “You told me where the party was being held this year when we spoke on the phone earlier, didn’t you?”

He nodded and leaned forward. “I thought you gave up all that”—he put his fingers to his lips and inhaled deeply—“stuff.”

“It’s been a really long day. Refresh my memory?”

Curd sighed. “The old Shop Rite warehouse by the docks.”

“Oh, right.” Think. Think fast. I contemplated telling Curd that something big was going down, but decided against it. What good would it do? Nothing I said would make him consider changing locations this late in the game, and as far as I could tell, Curd knew nothing about Sixes. He’d write me off as crazy or, better yet, stoned, and walk away laughing.

I needed this party to happen—but on my terms, not theirs. “Hey, I know the party’s in a few days, but I came up with a killer idea and I forgot to mention it earlier.”

“I’m all ears, baby.”

“Let’s make it a costume rave this year.”

“I dunno. I mean I love the idea, but ya think we can get the news out this late in the game?”

“Totally! Do a mass email. People will spread the word!”

“That’s a serious idea.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of Marlboros. “Hey, where you two headed? I can give you a lift before I hit the square.”

“That would be great, thanks.”

§

Even though Ginger said we had use of the hotel whenever we needed it, I half expected to be turned away at the door. To my surprise, though, we were escorted up to the third floor and deposited in a single room with two queen-size beds. Ten minutes later, after Kale finished checking under the beds and in the closet, a knock came from the hallway. When we opened the door, no one was there, but a cart full of assorted food sat unattended.

“What is this soft white stuff?” Kale asked, sitting across from me. We’d jammed the food cart between us and pigged out. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten so much. I was ready to pop.

“That is a fried cheese stick. Pretty much in its own revered food group. It’s only earthly equal is the chocolate food group.” I leaned across the table and pushed a small dish of still-warm marinara sauce at him. “Dip it in there and you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven.”