Lovers Like Us (Like Us #2)(75)

“We don’t know what it is yet,” she whispers.

Farrow wraps an arm around my waist. I want to lean my weight into him, but my joints feel unoiled and immovable.

I’m on guard.

Maybe Charlie can feel my glare drilling into him. Because he swings his head over his shoulder and says, “Patience isn’t a strong suit of yours.”

“Then tell me why we’re going to Dairy Queen,” I retort.

Charlie messes his already messy hair. “You always have to be in everyone’s business. Just relax. Take a back seat for once in your life.” Spite drips off those words.

“I don’t want to drive your fucking car, Charlie. I just want to know where the destination is.”

“I thought we were going to Dairy Queen,” Donnelly says to break the tension.

It doesn’t work.

Nothing ever works when it comes to Charlie and me. The bus rolls to a stop, and an unlit Dairy Queen appears outside the window. Parking lot empty except for a green beat-up Jetta that I don’t recognize.

As soon as the bus idles, a knock pounds the door.

I stiffen.

Who the hell did Charlie invite on the bus?

Thatcher unbuckles, and he’s the first to head down the stairs and unlock the door. I hear him apologize about his underwear, and he warns the person about the contest.

It’s a girl.

I just know it’s a girl.

I stand. Farrow stands.

My pulse thumps a mile-a-minute. Footsteps sound on the steps, and then…my little sister pops into view. Light brown hair tied in a loose top bun.

Luna hooks her fingers in the straps of a neon green backpack. Looking between all of us, cheeks rosy from the cold, she says, “Hey. Hi. Heidi. Ho. Howdy.” And waves like this is nothing.

Dear World, how did she get here? Why is she here? How did Charlie know? Did she call him? Why didn’t she call me? Do our parents have any idea where she is? Sincerely, a concerned brother.

Farrow beats everyone. “Where the fuck is J.P.?” Her 24/7 bodyguard.

Akara already has a phone to his ear.

I kneel on the couch and careen my head to try and peer out the window. No one else is in the parking lot.

“Oh…” Luna glances at Charlie. “You didn’t tell them yet?”

“I thought you should,” he says, hands in his black slacks.

“What the hell is going on?” I almost growl.

“So yeah.” Luna rocks on the balls of her feet, but keeps eye contact with me. “I kind of ditched J.P.”

I see red. Tunnel-vision on Charlie. The one person who fucking knew. I storm ahead and grab Charlie by the sleeve of his sweater. “Outside. Now.”





26





MAXIMOFF HALE





Ice on the asphalt crunches underneath our soles. We near the curb of the Dairy Queen entrance, and wind whips around us as furiously as I feel.

Farrow and Oscar hover close. The only other two people outside with us. Probably to ensure Charlie and I don’t kill each other.

“She called me!” Charlie yells. “You’re mad at the wrong person!”

“I don’t think I am!” I scream, cold stinging my throat. “You’re the one who could’ve told me. Told us. Told a fucking bodyguard—anyone on Omega should’ve known she’d be here without her own bodyguard.” I shake my head, rage throttling my bones. Screaming at me to drive closer. To shake him.

To make him see.

See how my sister could’ve been hurt. Could’ve been kidnapped, raped or murdered on her journey across the fucking country. Alone.

“You knew she was driving here, and you didn’t tell anyone!” I yell. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” he shouts back, edging closer. Closer, only five feet apart. “I’m the one who kept tabs on her!” He points a finger at his chest. “I’m the one who gave her directions here! I’m the one who made sure she didn’t get lost or drive off the side of the fucking road!”

“Great,” I sneer. “Fucking fantastic, Charlie. If your brothers reached out to me, I would’ve never let them travel without a bodyguard. So thanks for helping out my sister, thanks a lot.”

Charlie looks like he wants to rip off my head.

I want to poke out his eyes with a goddamn serrated knife. I am out for blood. I feel like he knowingly hurt my sister. He’s smarter than anyone I’ve ever known, so why the hell would he risk her life like this? “You have beef with me, fine, but don’t drag my sister into this—”

“I didn’t,” Charlie snaps, and I back off for a single second. Because he looks twenty, his actual age, and his eyes flit in hurt.

That accusation hurt him.

“She called me,” he repeats. “There isn’t an ulterior motive. I’m not sorry that you can’t stand the fact that she didn’t call you. That for the first time in forever, you weren’t the chosen one. Get the fuck over it.”

“Fuck you,” I snap. “This isn’t a pissing contest. It’s about my sister’s safety—”

“She told me not to tell you. How about that?” Charlie retorts.

I’m already shaking my head.