Page 104 of Needed You

There’s a tremble to my hands as I check the time. They started around 1:00 a.m., and it’s now 2:24 a.m. My fingers fumble with the phone, and I have to pick it up again.

“Shit!” I groan. I finally manage to get it unlocked and see the screen.

I grab the texts first. The first text is a picture of Dare and Ryan, tapping beer bottles together smiling at the camera. The second text is Dare and Ryan with another guy I recognize from the bonfire. They are sitting on the love seat, and Dare is squeezed between the two, half on Ryan and half on the floor. His hair is disheveled, and he looks like he’s having a good time.

The next few texts seem to be photos of a play-by-play of the night and the various stages of intoxication. One is Ryan and Dare again, their eyes half closed, signaling that they’re drunk. Another is Ryan and Dare with a different friend, who’s kissing Dare on the cheek. My lycan is beaming from ear to ear. The last one is Ryan and Dare again, giving each other the finger. I wish I could laugh, but I’m too concerned. My heart is still hammering when I decide to play the voice messages.

There’s a lot of noise in the background, but I hear his voice clearly enough.

“Hi, Levvvvvv. You are shpecial, you knowthattt? You are sussha good guy. Whhyyyydo you lovvvve me?”

I hear another voice that sounds like Ryan’s. “Dude, who are you calling? It’s like one thirty in the morning! Ohhhhh, your BOYYYFRIEND.” Laughter bursts out and the phone hangs up.

Next message. This one is whispered into the mouthpiece, but it’s loud enough for me to hear. “Levvvvv. Ryan and I are drinking, and Lannnncess herrre. Idon wanna see Lance.”

Silence.

Next message. Loud this time. “Hiiiii, Levvvvv. There’re somemmmean guyssss here that keep messssing with me and Ry”—hiccup—“Ryan. I might havva fightem, okay?”

My heart rate picks up, and I see two more messages. My palms are sweating when the first one plays.

“Lev, it’s Ryan, Dare’s friend. Um, I’m not sure if you’ll get this, but if you do, can you call back on Dare’s phone? It’s kind of urgent.”

By this point, I’m out of bed and fumbling to get dressed. I throw on a pair of gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt, then grab a hoodie out of the closet. I pull some socks on my feet as I listen to the last message.

“Lev, it’s Garrett.” Oh no. “If you’re not here in ten minutes, I’m calling the cops, and you can meet your boy at the station.” Click.

FUCK.

I check the time and realize that message was the one that woke me up about ten minutes ago. Throwing my shoes on, I stumble out of the room and dial back Dare’s number as I rush to the car, praying to whoever will listen that someone answers Dare’s phone. It goes to voicemail.

SHIT!

I press the button to hang up the phone. Grappling with my phone and the car door, I search for Garrett’s number and press call. I jump in the car and screech out of the lot, heading to the Exchange.

Garrett picks up. “Lev. Are you on your way?”

“Yeah,” I answer. “I’ll be there soon. What happened?” My heart is in my throat.

“Another freakin’ fight, man. Your boy is unhinged. You need to come get his ass now.”

“Is he okay?” I ask nervously.

“He’ll be fine, but if you don’t get here soon I’m going to kick his ass next.”

Even with the tension on the line, I start to chuckle until I register that he said “next.”

“Garre—”

“Just get here.” The phone goes dead.

I let out an exasperated sigh and drop my phone on the passenger’s seat. I know I’m going faster than I should be, but I have to get there. I need to get to Dare.

The thought rattles me, and it’s then that I realize I also didn’t put my seat belt on. My heart jumps in my chest. I slow down and snap my seat belt into place as I take several deep breaths, resetting myself.

I need to get there for Dare, yes, but I need to do it safely.

Traffic is light, which makes sense since it’s two thirty in the morning, and even though I’m driving much slower than I was when I first left my apartment, I make it to the bar in record time, flying into the parking lot and throwing the car into park. I swear I get out as the car is still settling. I cross the lot with wide steps and then yank open the heavy, hard wooden door.