Chapter 54
FIFTY-FOUR
Kat arranged for someone to pick up Jaxon’s SUV and drive it back to his place within the hour. I’m doing a final sweep, making sure I haven’t left anything behind. That’s when I spot his coat on the seat. A real duster coat. Like a man.
I stare at it, wondering if it’s hiding anything.
There’s a voice in my head: Be careful what you look for.
I try to shake off the warning and reach into one of the pockets.
My fingers brush something—folded paper. My stomach knots. I hesitate.
Is this wrong?
Should I just leave it?
But my grip tightens. Screw it, I whisper, and pull it out.
A yellow Post-it, folded into a square.
I unfold it and read the handwritten words:
Meet me in the same room as last time. I’m waiting. —Rach
I wish I couldn’t believe my eyes. But I can.
I don’t know when Jaxon received this note from “Rach.” But he wore this coat the night of the after-game party. Was Rach one of the women there?
“Um, hello?”
A deep male voice from behind makes me jump out of my skin.
I whirl around, heart pounding.
A man stands there. Older. Familiar.
I slap a hand over my chest, trying to steady my pulse.
I know that face. He looks like Theo. My dad.
“Trey?” I breathe, my eyes darting toward the open gate. I left it ajar for the driver who should be arriving soon.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, though it feels like I’m floating outside my body.
“Can we talk?” he says.
I blink hard. I don’t know if I want him to disappear—or if I’m actually glad he’s here.
“Sure,” I say finally. “Follow me.”
I fold the note and keep it, then place Jaxon’s coat back on the seat exactly how I found it.
My feet barely touch the ground as I lead Trey—my brother, seven years younger—into my house.