I roll my eyes. “Obviously.”

“And Brooks, I want you to be careful, as well. Especially after what happened the last time you tried to tail your father; you need to be extremely careful.”

“What happened when he tailed his father?” I ask, thinking about last night and Doc’s rant about punishing his son.

“My father figured out I was following him, slammed on his brakes, and caused me to run into his car and break my damn arm.” He shrugs. “It was no biggie, really. I just told him Mom thought he was cheating again. He believed me. Although, he doesn’t trust me as much anymore. He thinks I’m always spying on him for my mother.”

“You were lucky,” Stale says with worry creasing his face. “If he’d found out—”

“Then he would have killed me.” Brooks shrugs again. “I know what I’m getting into, Stale. I don’t need a reminder of how fucked up my father is.”

I unfasten my seatbelt and turn in the seat to get a good look at him, hoping to be able to read him better. “Why are you doing this, though?” If I’m going to be working with this guy, I need to know I can trust him.

Stale translates for me.

“For my brother.” Pain emits through Brooks voice. “So his death won’t be for nothing.”

“Brooks’s brother was helping us,” Stale explains, slipping his tie completely off and tossing it onto the floor. “And Elderman found out.”

“And had him killed.” Brooks swallows hard, his jaw set tight. “My father did nothing about it, didn’t care. He said my brother deserved it for being a traitor.”

“You can trust Brooks, Ryler.” Stale shoves the shifter into park. “He wants Elderman in jail probably as much as I do.”

“More,” Brooks presses, his eyes blazing. “And I’ll do anything to get him behind bars.”

From what I can tell, it seems as if he’s telling the truth. I just hope I can trust him. Hope I might not be in this alone anymore. Maybe with some help, I won’t feel so edgy all the time.

Stale gives us a rundown on what he expects of us. Our jobs at the writing center will allow us time to collaborate our information, but Stale presses that, for the most part, we need to remain away from each other.

By the time I hop out of the car, I’m exhausted and overwhelmed. Last night, I was so determined to get out of this mess, but less than twenty-four hours later, I’m going right back into the criminal world.

It’s not until I reach the stairway that I realize I have another huge problem. It’s after five o’clock already. I’ve missed class and driving Emery like I promised.

I think about texting her to apologize, but I don’t even know her number. Maybe it’s for the best. I should probably keep her out of my life if I’m going to continue to be an informant.

I don’t want to be that guy, though—the one that just falls off the radar of a girl they like, just bails out like Aura did with me for reasons that are still unclear. Emery’s got so many problems already, and she said she trusted me after she let me touch her so intimately.

I decide to leave her a note on the door. At least we can talk if nothing else. Perhaps be friends. I like having her around, like talking to her, kissing her...

I shake my head and grab a piece of paper and pen from my apartment.

I’m sorry I missed picking you up. Something came up, and I had to work late. Rain check?

I tape the note to her door and then jog back to my apartment, hoping to take a nap before “work” tonight. I’m supposed to meet Doc at the bar again for what I’m crossing my fingers is a mellow night.

“Dude, you look like shit,” Luke says as I trudge into the apartment.

My clothes and hair are soaked from the rain, and my boots leave a trail of mud on the floor as I kick the door behind me and drop exhaustedly onto the sofa.

“I feel like shit.” I notice a duffel bag next to the sofa. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Yeah, Violet and I decided to take a road trip.” He scoops up his wallet and car keys from the coffee table and stuffs them into his pocket. “We both have a week off from work, so we thought what the hell? Let’s do it.” He checks his phone. “You’re more than welcome to come with us.” He holds up his phone to show me a message “Violet says I should make you.”

I wish I could.

I wish I had a normal life.

Wish.

Wish.

Wish.

“Sorry, I can’t.” I slip my boots off and run my fingers though my rain-drenched hair before signing, “I have work and class.” And a secret life I wish I could tell you about but don’t want to risk your life, all so I can lessen the burden of my secrets.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re so responsible,” he says sarcastically, then flashes me a grin to let me know he’s kidding. He picks up his bag. “We’ll be back next Friday.” He opens the door as he hitches the handle of his bag over his shoulder. “If you need anything, call us.”

I nod and he walks out, shutting the door behind him.

And then I’m alone.

The silence sets in.

Peace briefly encompasses me.

For a moment, I can pretend that all is right in my life.

That I’m just a guy hanging out in my apartment, waiting for his beautiful girlfriend to show up and come to collect her rain check.

Then my business phone vibrates and the peace evaporates.