Ever After (East Raven Academy Book 1)(75)

And she’s kissing somebody.

Somebody who is clearly not Bryce.

I stop to look, and see that she’s kissing Ian.

My mouth falls open.

Estaine laughs and pulls me forward, away from them.

“I guess that means Emma and Bryce are over,” I say.

“We’ll see,” Estaine says. “Emma’s never shown interest in another guy before.”

Teagan, who is holding hands with Jason, walks up to us.

“Did I just see Emma and... Ian?” Teagan asks.

“Yep,” Estaine answers.

“Huh,” she says, then smiles. “I like it.”

“Bryce is going to blow a gasket when he sees,” Jason says.

“Like he has a right,” I say. “He was kissing some girl earlier, and Emma caught them.”

“Well, good for Emma,” Jason says.

Teagan looks furious, but then she grins. “What is this I heard about Brooks Remington showing up at the soccer game?”

“Brooks came to... talk,” I answer.

“About what?”

“Being friends. With me,” I say.

“And what did you tell him?” Teagan asks.

“That we can be friends as long as he doesn’t try to kiss me again,” I say. “And that we can’t hang out unless Estaine is there, too.”

“Ah,” she says, then looks at Estaine. “And you’re okay with that?”

Estaine nods. “I’m not going to tell Phoenix who she can and can’t be friends with.”

Teagan smiles. “Uh huh.”

I decide to change the subject away from me and definitely away from Brooks.

“You played so good tonight,” I say.

“Thanks,” Teagan says, her face completely lit up. I can tell she’s proud of herself. “We worked hard. And beating West Raven is always a bonus.”

Teagan goes on to talk about all the awesome moments in the game. While she’s talking, my phone goes off. I have no idea who would be texting me this late, since all my friends are literally here. I pull out my phone to make sure everything is all right. I see that Uncle Matty is calling me. I hold up a finger to Teagan as I answer.

“Hello.”

“Where are you?” Uncle Matty asks, his voice in a panic.

“I’m at the docks with my friends,” I answer. “We’re celebrating the...”

He cuts me off. “I am on my way there.”

The phone line cuts off, and I look at Estaine.

“I... uh...” I look at Teagan and Jason. “I’m sorry. Estaine and I have to go.”

I don’t give them time to respond. I just grab Estaine’s hand and we walk away from our friends, towards the edge of the woods.

“Uncle Matty says he’s on his way here,” I tell Estaine, once we get to the edge. “I guess we should wait here, but I’m scared.”

“Do you think something bad happened?” he asks.

“I don’t know,” I answer. “I hope not. I just... I didn’t want them to see Uncle Matty and Jake here. How could I explain my uncle and cousin coming on campus in the middle of the night? I can’t exactly say another cousin died. How many fake cousins can I have die in a year, before people catch on?”

“It’ll be okay,” Estaine says, pulling me close to him.

My phone starts vibrating with another phone call. I answer it without looking at the caller ID.

“Hello.”

“Phoenix... are you okay?” Brooks voice comes from the other side.

“I’m... fine. Why?”

“Your face... you’re on the news,” he says.

“Me?” I ask.

“Apparently a terrorists group released a video with you in it,” Brooks says. “And your dad... he’s... Tommy Black.”

“What do you mean a video?”

“Who is that?” Estaine asks.

“Hold on,” I tell Brooks, putting the phone on speaker. “Estaine’s here, too. You need to explain what you mean.”

“This terrorists group released a video, basically threatening to kill you if your dad doesn’t help pass some law,” Brooks says. “They said they were offering a million dollar reward to whoever turned you in, which is just crazy.”

“Oh, my gosh,” I say, putting a hand over my mouth.

“The president released some kind of a statement saying that if anybody does know, they shouldn’t try to contact the group,” Brooks says. “It’s crazy. The president of the United States.”

“Brooks, can you stop being stunned now. This is serious,” Estaine says. “Phoenix could be in danger.”

“I know. Crap,” Brooks says. “I’m sorry, Phoenix. Are you okay?”

“I don’t know,” I answer. “Uncle Matty is on his way to get me. I’m scared.”

Estaine tightens his grip around me.

“It’s gonna be okay,” Brooks says, reassuring me.

“I’ve got to go, Brooks,” I tell him.

“Promise you’ll call me tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” I answer. “I promise.”

I end the call and look up at Estaine.