A thick girl with long red hair and tons of freckles is in the middle, attempting to pull what looks like a jersey out of a golden lab’s mouth. To the right of her is a tall dude with blond hair who looks irritated as hell with the dog.

And to the left is Landon—who’s watching all three of them with a giant smile on his face.

As if sensing my curiosity, Landon says, “That’s my girlfriend and boyfriend,” He chuckles. “And our crazy dog.”

“Oh.” Yup. It all makes sense now. Although dating two people at the same time has to be complex as fuck. “That sounds…”

“Complicated?” He nods. “Yeah, at one point it was, but now…I don’t know…it feels right. We just fit together.”

Good for him.

“Hey, man. Whatever works.”

He places his fingers over the piano keys. “Ready to write some emo shit?”

Hell motherfucking no.

“I don’t know. I’ve never done it before.”

“Well, it’s simple.” He presses down on the ivory keys, filling the room with a melodic sound. “I just need you to give me the good, the bad…and the ugliest parts of your heart and soul.”

There’s only one person who has that.

I’m leaving the studio with two songs written and a weird sense of accomplishment buzzing through my skin.

I didn’t think I’d be into it, but hearing my words put to music was pretty fucking dope.

It’s something I definitely want to do again.

I’m stepping into the elevator when my phone rings. Hoping Bianca decided to pull her stubborn head out of her ass and talk to me, I pluck my phone from my pocket.

An ugly feeling rises up my throat when I see Crystal’s name flash across the screen.

“Not today, Satan,” I mutter.

I’m getting ready to hit the ignore button but then it occurs to me that there might be something wrong with C.J.

I quickly swipe the green button. “What happened?”

Crystal’s sobbing on the other line, which immediately makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “You need to get to the hospital right now. Your dad…” She’s crying so hard she can barely make out her next words. “He’s been shot.”

Chapter 56

Bianca

Everything hurts.

The excruciating pain is back in my chest again with a vengeance.

I miss him so much it’s far beyond any pain I’ve ever felt.

A big part of me wants him to knock down my door like he threatened to earlier today.

Just like he knocked down my walls.

I glance at the clock on my nightstand. It’s just past eight, which means he should be here any moment.

As strange as it sounds, I’ve looked forward to him pounding on my door the past three nights, urging me to open up and talk to him.

I’m going to despise the day he finally decides to give up and move on.

Even though it’s what he needs.

Curling up in a ball, I press my head to the wooden floor, near the spot where he almost bled out.

Most of my life I’ve wanted to die…until Oakley made me feel alive.

The pain will pass—I try to tell myself, even though no part of me actually believes it.

You’re strong—I reassure myself, even though I don’t feel very strong right now.

I feel like a vital part of me is missing, and I’m going to walk around feeling like half of a person for the rest of my life.

My phone buzzes on the ground next to me, but I ignore it.

I’ve already lied to Jace and Cole and told them I’ve been busy studying.

The phone rings again, and I see Dylan’s name flash across the screen.

She’s called me a few times this week—Sawyer’s called even more—but I don’t feel like telling them anything.

I’d rather just be miserable by myself and deal with my shit on my own.

I hit the ignore button, but it rings yet again.

Dammit. Sawyer’s the clingy friend, not Dylan.

I click the ignore button for the second time.

A moment later an incoming text comes through.

Dylan: I know you’re going through stuff, but Oakley’s dad was shot. We’re at the hospital with him, but I think you should be here.

Instantly, I bolt up like there’s an electric shock going through my body.

I don’t think. Hell, I don’t even breathe.

I throw on some shoes and head out the door.

Chapter 57

Oakley

“Did they catch who did it?” Dylan asks.

“I can’t believe someone shot him,” Sawyer whispers.

I hear them talking, but I can’t see them or process what they’re saying.

The only thing I can think about is the fact that my dad—the man who raised me—is in surgery.

Fighting for his life.

All because some motherfucking asshole shot him while he was walking out to his car.

“Maybe it was a drive-by?” Sawyer says.

Dylan rubs my shoulder. “Maybe. Whoever it is, I’m sure they’ll catch them. Crystal’s talking to the police now. She was on the phone with Wayne when it happened.”

Sawyer touches my arm. “Is there anything I can get you? Food, coffee…anything?”

Yeah. An eight-ball of coke and a bottle of Jack to wash it down with.

Gripping my neck, I close my eyes.

The last thing my dad told me was that he was proud of me.

Our last conversation was right before I left my apartment to meet Landon at the studio.

I told him I was going to try my hand at writing music.

I half expected him to tell me it was a pipe dream and I was wasting my time.

But he didn’t.

Instead he told me he was happy I was trying something new.

Proud that I was staying sober.

And now?

He’s dying on an operating table.

I need her.

After my mom walked out, I swore I’d never let myself need another person again.

Because needing someone only led to disappointments and letdowns.

But right now? I. Fucking. Need. Her.

Not to tell me it will all be okay—because one of the things I love most about Bianca is that she doesn’t sugarcoat shit.

I need her to keep me grounded and ride out this storm with me.

To just be here.

Reaching all the places inside me that only she can.

Because with her I can’t go numb and I can’t turn it off.

I can’t cover it up with jokes or drugs.

With her, I feel everything full throttle.

And without her…

I fall apart.

I don’t even realize Crystal’s come back until I hear Dylan say, “Where’s C.J.? Do you need me to watch her for the night?”

Crystal shakes her head. “No, that’s okay. Clarissa Jasmine is staying with one of my girlfriends for the time being.” She blows her nose with a tissue. “God, I can’t believe this is happening. How the hell am I gonna tell my little girl that her daddy—”

“Wayne will pull through,” Dylan assures her. “He’s strong.”