Whoever it was didn't want Skye going to the police.

My text history with West didn't raise any flags. But one particular conversation we had did.

I didn't want to believe he had anything to do with Skye's assault, but that crowbar comment he made wasn't letting me be. He insinuated that he felt good when he hit things, so did that mean he could . . .

No. I refused to let my mind go that far. Even though he only agreed to help me because of his brother. Even though he was working for Macy behind my back.

But I still couldn't fall asleep. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself that this—blaming him—was just my mind's way of coping.

Sometime around eleven, my phone vibrated next to my digital clock on my bedside table, and without wondering who could be texting me this late, I read the preview lighting up the screen.

I get out of the hospital MondaY morning and would . . .

I sat up when I saw that it was from Axel, then opened the text.

I get out of the hospital MondaY morning and would like tO see a particular beaUtiful face. In case you were wondering who I'm talking about, read the capitalized letters together. They're not typos ;)

I lay back, then wondered briefly if I should reply. Then I was typing.

That was pretty smart. I'll see you tomorrow :)
P.S. Don't ask why I'm awake so late. Please.

He replied a few minutes after I hit Send.

Great! And I won't ask, don't worry. Wish I was awake the day you came.

I saw the ellipsis appear a few seconds after his reply came, but then it went away, like he changed his mind about what he was typing, so I typed:

I'm actually kinda glad you weren't. It would've been awkward if you were.

Because you wouldn't have been able to kiss me? ;)

I felt my face go scarlet instantly.

How'd you know about that??

I added I'm so mortified, but backspaced it and sent the first part of the text alone, instead.

I was asleep, Kim. Not dead. I felt it and saw you before you walked out.

Turning my phone over, I shut my eyes. I didn't want to do this. Kairi was back in the picture now, and texting Axel so late felt odd, felt intimate. It felt like a betrayal. Mostly because I was reading too much into the winky faces he was sending me. Axel loved my sister, and my sister loved him. I couldn't be feeling this way. My emotions were all over the place at the moment, and I needed to take a break for a few hours.

I'll see you tomorrow, I sent to Axel, not waiting to see if he read it before keeping the phone back on my bedside table. I turned my back to it when I heard it vibrate, and focused on my window. Then I was thinking about West and Tybalt again, and then I was crying.

Seeing Axel walk around his house with the enthusiasm of a four-year-old who just discovered fairies exist filled me with something I couldn't explain. Joy, maybe. His arm was no longer in the sling, but he still treated it with care, and he had a slight limp.

"Axel, go have a seat. I'm trying to get things done here," his mom said, peeking from the kitchen, trying to sound stern, but the loving smile on her face gave her away.

"I was stuck in a bed for days, Mom," he replied. "So let me be." Even though he protested, he still came over to the couch and dropped himself into the spot between Kairi and I.

His elbow slightly grazed my side, but he didn't seem to notice as he put an arm around my sister's shoulders and trailed kisses down the side of her face.

She released a giggle, squirming slightly, like a little girl afraid of being caught. "Axel. Your mom's watching," she whispered.

"Let her watch," he mumbled into her hair after seeing that his mom wasn't watching, and I had to tear my eyes away from them when Kairi turned and pressed her lips to his.

"Stop doing that in front of sweet Kimie, at least," Mrs. Denvers suggested, appearing at the kitchen entrance with a tray of snacks. "She sees enough of it on TV."

Axel and Kairi looked at me with big grins on their faces, and I forced up a smile. Kairi looked away almost immediately, satisfied, but Axel watched me. I looked away, uncomfortable. When Kairi got up to help his mom with the tray, he leaned closer to me, filling my nose with his smell.

"You good?"

I turned to him, pushing down the little lump in my throat when I realized how close our faces were. "Yeah."

"You sure? You look like something's bothering you."

I smiled. "I'm good. Really."

Kairi's phone beeped from the couch as she put the tray down on the coffee table, and she took it. "My goodness," she said after reading what was on the screen. "I forgot I have a session today." She looked at Axel like someone who was lovesick. Maybe she was. "I blame you."

Axel laughed, then raised his hands in surrender. "I'm not sorry."

She grabbed the black clutch sitting beside him, and he took her hand and pulled her towards himself, whispering something in her ear that made her laugh. She pulled away after giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"You should take my car," I suggested.

"Yeah," Axel supported. "I'll drop Kimie off later."

Kairi waved her hand in dismissal. "I have to stop by home first, so I'll ask Dad for his." She gave me a peck on the cheek, almost absentmindedly, and I froze. I couldn't remember the last time she did that. "I'll see you two later."

We said our versions of goodbye before she headed for the front door.

"Ax, don't forget the Netflix schedule!" she reminded just before she stepped out of the house, her voice annoyingly loud. "Bye, Mrs. Denvers."

"Bye, darling. Be safe!"

"I will," Kairi promised as she shut the door behind her.

Axel took the bowl of chips from the coffee table almost immediately the door closed, then put it in my lap after taking one. "I'll ask you to spill what's on your mind if you don't match my happiness," he said, and I laughed awkwardly. "I know everyone's expecting me to be withdrawn, but I'm just too happy to be alive. I don't even want to think about that night."

I wished I could tell him the real reason I was being so quiet. I was happy to see him, but was unable to show it. My head was filled with outrageous thoughts about West, and my heart was aching, because what if it turned out to be true? What would I do then? I didn't want to entertain the thought, but it was refusing to leave.

"Yeah," I said to Axel, sniffing and taking a chip. "I'm sorry. My head's not in the right place right now. I'm sorry."

He smiled, and I stared at the little red spot on his cheek, where his bruise used to be.

"Does that hurt?" I gestured to it.

"Not really. It just stings when I touch it."

I nodded, then took a bite of the chip in my hand. It wasn't as tasty as the one West got from Foodie, but it was okay. I didn't really know what to say to Axel. We weren't the best of friends; we barely knew each other, only thrown together because of all this, and the awkwardness was obvious.

"We never finished watching that horror movie," he commented, and I looked at him. He was watching me, and I wondered for how long.

"You wanna watch a horror movie? Now?"

"Why do you sound like that? I suggested it 'cause I feel like you're gonna leave soon. I know it's weird of me to ask, but can you stay for a while? I'd love the company."

It vaguely felt like he was asking because he knew I wouldn't say no, but I ignored it and gave him a smile. I checked my phone and was disappointed to find it devoid of notifications.

Axel excused himself to go get his laptop from his room, and I used the opportunity to call Tybalt. I wasn't sure he was going to pick up, but I was hopeful. I could hear the sound of something sizzling in the kitchen.

The line rang several times, but Tybalt didn't pick up, and before I could try again, Axel returned with his laptop balanced on one hand.

"Are you down for comedy, or do you still want horror?"

"I bestow upon you the opportunity to choose the genre this time. I'm not really a movie person, so I can watch anything."

"R-rated ones, too?" His playful tone was back, and I almost choked on my own saliva.

"No!" I answered a little too defensively for someone who knew that he was joking. "Anything except those."

"Axel," his mom scolded from the kitchen, and he gave me a bashful smile as he sat next to me and took another chip from the bowl in my lap.

"I'm just joking with her, Mom."

I rolled my eyes playfully, and he gently elbowed me in the side when he noticed, then hit play on 50 First Dates. He took some more chips from the bowl as the movie progressed, and I did, too, but I wasn't really into the rom-com, even though it was something I might have enjoyed any other day. He didn't seem to be, either, and I realized that when his mom came out of the kitchen and announced that she had to pick up some things from the grocery store. He mumbled an okay and kept his eyes fixed on his laptop.

But immediately his mom's car pulled out of the driveway, he paused the movie and turned to me.

His eyes were glinting with something serious, and it made me nervous thinking about what he was going to say next. Now that we were alone. He surprised me by taking a few strands of my hair and tucking them away, and I briefly wondered what it was about my hair that attracted guys.

"Thanks for helping me with Kairi," he said quietly, and I immediately looked away from him. I didn't want to talk about Kairi and him. Him and Kairi. I was being honest with myself by admitting that I was confused. I wasn't completely happy about this, and it made me feel terrible.

"Don't mention it. It's okay."

Axel smiled, and I could tell he was about to say more. "You don't understand how much she means to me, do you?"

I stared at him because he was right. I didn't know how much she meant to him, how highly she was placed in his life.

"Because if you did, you'd know how big of a deal this is for me."

"I'm glad I could be of help, really. I didn't do much. Kairi just came to terms with her feelings."

"You don't give yourself enough credit, do you?"

I smiled. "Maybe I don't."

"Seriously, though. Thank you. I'll never be able to repay you for it."

"You can repay me right now by hitting play on the movie." I was smiling at him, but it was obvious he wasn't satisfied.

He resumed the movie anyway, and we watched it in silence, not even laughing at the funny parts.

* * *

Axel insisted on walking me to my car when I announced that I had to get home a few minutes after the movie was over. His limp was more obvious now since he'd been sitting down for a while.

"You should really rest your leg," I suggested as we stopped next to my car.

"I have to use it, too, or it would only get worse."

I saw an opportunity to talk about the accident, but I was still a little hesitant. Earlier, he said he didn't want to do as much as think about it, so how could he talk about it?

"Can I . . ." I trailed off, hesitant, and he raised curious eyebrows at me. "Can I ask you something?"

"About what?"

"The accident."

He was quiet for a while, his jaw working, and I could see the distress on his face, an expression that made me remember how closed off my sister was in the months following her rape.

Axel eventually sighed. "I don't know what happened, if that's what you want to ask. I didn't see anyone, just the car and some hair."

"Did you recognize the car, at least?"

He shook his head. "I wasn't paying attention."

I wished I could tell him it was Macy. I badly wanted to.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up. I just wanted to know if you know anything."

He gave me a tight smile. "It's okay. A lot of people have asked me about it, even the police."

"B-but what happens if they don't find anything?"

Axel shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "Well, they did say it might be related to the murders, so I'm sure something will turn up eventually."

They are related to the murders, I wanted to tell him, but kept my mouth shut. "Aren't you worried? About your safety, I mean."

"A little. But school's closed for now so I'm not worried about going or being dropped from the team, so." He shrugged again, and I was hit by a sudden wave of sadness for him. "I'm fine." He gave me a genuine smile. "Thanks for staying, by the way."

"No problem. If you ever need company, just . . ." I realized what I was saying and trailed off, letting the rest of my sentence evaporate. "Never mind. I'm gonna . . . I'm gonna go." I gestured to my car, then turned around and stuck the key in the lock, my fingers trembling. I was so stupid I could cry.

I didn't know what was wrong with me, why I kept feeling this way towards guys that deserved someone better than me—someone like my sister. I didn't realize my eyes were stinging until I was settling in the driver's seat and turning the key in the ignition.

"I feel bad," he suddenly said, placing his hands on my car and leaning down. He was slightly taller than West, and he took up more space.

"Feel bad, why?" I asked, turning my phone on so I could avoid looking at him.

"'Cause you're like this."

I paused, but didn't turn to him. I kept my gaze on my lock screen, on the preview of Eliza's text. The house is empty. "I'm fine," I told him. "I'm just overwhelmed."

"It's okay, Kimie. I . . . I know how you feel about me."

I felt my face flush. In embarrassment. In shock. I wanted to ask him how he knew but figured I probably wouldn't like the answer.

"And I'm sorry I'm asking you to do all these things for me. I really am."

I sniffled, ran a hand beneath my nose. "Don't apologize." I let out a self-deprecating laugh. "I'm an idiot."

"Don't say that," he whispered, like he wanted to get the words drilled into my head. "Please, don't say that."

I looked at him with blurry eyes, and his face melted into an expression that made me want to cry into his shirt. It was a pathetic want, really, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. I found myself wondering what he thought of me, the girl crying in front of him because she felt pathetic enough to.

As if to do damage control, I said, "I'm just messing up so badly lately, and I feel like it's unfair to her sometimes. She deserves to be happy, don't you believe that?"

"I do," he agreed, then looked at me for a few seconds. "But you deserve to be happy, too."

"Yeah," I said quietly. "Just not with the people I want." We were both silent for a while, then I sighed. "I should go." I was about turning the key when I realized that I'd already done that.

"I'll call you later, okay?" Axel said. "Promise you'll pick up?" I nodded without thinking, and he stood back, seeing how badly I wanted to get away. "Drive safe and text me when you get home."

I nodded again, then pulled away from his house. I started crying at one point, my vision going so blurry that I could barely see two inches in front of me. I was so stupid.

I didn't even know where I was going until I stopped in front of Foodie, wiping tears from my eyes and sniffling. My hand subconsciously moved to the tissue box and pulled a tissue out, and I dabbed my eyes with it. I was sure I looked like a mess, but I didn't want to confirm it, so I threw the wet tissue to my passenger seat, then got out of the car with my wallet.

Inside Foodie was busy. People walked about, some nodding their heads to the music playing, others seated at four-people tables in varying stages of busy-ness. I didn't realize I was looking for him until I saw him, and my heart did a dangerous flip inside my chest.

Lily was sitting across from him at a table in the corner, and she looked much more beautiful in person. Her curly hair was in a ponytail that almost reached the nape of her neck, and she was biting a pencil in concentration as her eyes remained on the books in front of her, her free hand moving to push her glasses up her nose. Then she placed her forehead on the table in defeat and said something, and I saw West's lips pull into a small smile. Lips that had kissed me. Lips I'd kissed back.

As if sensing that he was being watched, West turned his head in my direction. Our eyes locked immediately, and his smile fell.

I didn't stand there for a second longer, walking to the counter and placing my order for two takeout packs of chips, refusing to acknowledge all the emotions running through me at lightning speed. Not bothering to take my change, I got out of there as quickly as I could, simultaneously hoping that he wouldn't follow me and praying that he would.

I got into my car, expecting to hear my name being called, expecting a warm hand to pull me back, but nothing happened. My neck prickled as I struggled not to look in his direction, and I started my car after throwing the plastic bag in my hand to the backseat.

As I drove, I couldn't stop remembering what I told Axel, and I couldn't get my mind off West and what I felt when I saw him. I felt like I could lunge at him and pour out all my emotions on him. I felt like I could scream, felt like I could tell him how much he was making me hurt and how I didn't hate him despite everything. Despite the fact that I kinda thought he was a killer just because he had a good motive to be one.

I thought about his smile. Did killers make a person feel safe with one smile? Weren't they supposed to make you feel unsure? Uncomfortable? Paranoid?

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I almost missed it. My dad's car. It was parked in front of an abandoned-looking house, with an overgrown lawn and cracked driveway, making me wonder what it was doing there. No one was in it. I was about cutting the engine so I could go see for myself when I saw Kairi about two houses ahead, walking up someone's front stairs.

I stopped my car a few feet behind my dad's and watched her. I didn't know anyone who lived in this neighborhood, and I was curious to know who Kairi came to see when she was supposed to be at therapy. This wasn't Dr. Belinsky's office or home.

I watched my sister ring the doorbell, watched her wait for whoever was inside to answer, watched her expression turn smug when the door opened and someone stepped out of the house. I watched my sister smile as Jett Foster stared at her in shock, watched her gently push him back into the house with both of her palms pressed against his chest as she invited herself in. Then I watched her kick the door shut behind them.

I didn't have to think about it before I got out of my car and headed for Jett's house.

It absolutely blows my mind whenever I realize that you guys are still reading this. I mean . . . 🤗 Thank you thank you thank you a million times, guys! You're an amazing bunch!

To express my gratitude, I'll be answering questions for the rest of this week. Ask me anything about the story or characters, and I'll try my best to answer them!*

You can either leave your questions here or on my message board.

See you in the comments!

*If your question demands me giving too much away, I might give you this 🙈 after being vague.