Page 18 of Girl Like Me

“Where are your keys?” I ask and she dangles them in front of me before dropping them in my outstretched hand.

“You were right. Chev was so jealous when I sat in Mossy’s lap. He freaked, his face was priceless.”

“You deserve a guy that wants you and will treat you right Chloe. Chev really wouldn’t be a good fit.” I lean her against her car while I get the passenger door open.

“That’s easy for you when guys throw themselves at you.” I ignore her comment, angling her so she is half in the car, and she slips herself in. “I’m not ready to go home. Chev will find me, and I don’t want to face him after the things I said. Oh god he knows I like him now.” She flops her head into her own lap, the girl looks freakishly flexible.

“I’m kind of glad you said that, but listen, I kind of have somewhere I need to go and it’s a bit of a drive.”

“Go wherever, I have a full tank of fuel and nothing better to do, nerd remember.”

“I need to use your phone, I have to turn mine off in a minute.” She throws her phone at me, a little harder than I was expecting, and I fumble with it until it lands in my lap. She groans and takes a sip from her bottle of straight vodka, she is definitely going to regret that tomorrow. I flick a text to Clarissa telling her we are heading home, and my phone is about to die. Next I snapchat Mac, I know if I message the guys they may flip out. I tell him to round up the guys but not tell them why, and to meet at Rory’s. I put Rory’s address in Chloe’s maps. His house is only two hours from here. Butterflies flutter in my stomach at the thought of seeing the guys. After seeing Mercer this weekend, I knew I couldn’t stay away when the words I said to him were like acid on my tongue. Chloe turns the radio on and starts to sing along to the song that’s playing. I think she needed to let her hair down, maybe as much as I need to go back to where JD was born and Bristol died. I need a way to see them and Chloe is that key.

My phone lights up on my bedside table, I see Mac's ugly mug and ignore his call. When we confronted him over JD, it didn’t go well. Levi and Rory had to hold Mercer back from giving him a beating. I don’t know why he didn’t think to tell us but that is what Mac is like, he only thinks about himself.

We have all tried to snap her but our messages have been ignored. I just need to know she is okay. I feel like an ass being jealous of Mercer, but he got to see her, and smell her. God, I miss her sugary sweet smell.

My phone goes off again, the guy can’t seem to take a hint. I don’t want to party with him and right now I am not even sure I want to be friends with him. I silence my phone and pick up the photo of JD and I, the one she made me for my birthday. My stupid heart hurts looking at her. I haven’t told my dad or even the guys yet but I started taking my medication again. I need to just feel normal, I don’t want to run or train and the constant thoughts pinging around in my head over and over again are becoming too much. I know when dad finds out he won’t be happy, he hates the medicine the doctor gave me. He can give a great debate on why diet control and exercise is better.

Again, my phone starts vibrating. “What.” I snap, finally answering the call. I would turn it off but then I wouldn’t be able to obsessively check and see if she has contacted me.

“Thank god, you need to get everyone to meet at Rory’s in about an hour and a half.” He says his voice rushed.

“Why would I do that?” I look at the photo of JD again before placing it back on the bedside table.

“Can you just do it please? I have to tell you all something and it has to be at Rory’s.”

“Fine, but if this is just a trick to have a party, I will gut you myself.” He laughs at my statement, but I’m not joking.

“As much as I would love to party at his crib, this is a more pressing issue and no, I can’t just tell you and I can’t give you any hints.” His cryptic message has me jumping out of bed ending his call. It has to be her, she has been in contact with him before. He is one of her friends, so she is allowed to be in contact with him. I quickly open a group text, and fire off a message.

Me:Meet at Rory’s ASAP, Mac is meeting us there. Think he has a message from JD.

Maximus:Swing past and get me

Mercer:Will be there as soon as I can

Levi:At bball, finishing up now heading over.

Rory:Already here.

Rocky:Be at yours in half Maximus.

***

We’re the last to arrive at Rory’s. I park my car beside Mac’s, it’s not good he arrived before I did, Mercer can’t stand him at the best of times and his fuse has been extra short lately. Levi has been on edge and Rory is drunk all the time.

Maximus must have the same thought as I do. “We better get in there fast, Mac won’t last long.”

We both hurry inside, but it isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Mac is sitting on one of the ridiculously white lounge chairs, Mercer, Levi and Rory seated opposite him, all three staring him down.

“Oh, thank god, I swear if I so much as sneezed, those three would have decked me.” Mac laughs nervously, fidgeting in his seat.

“You got us all here Mac, now tell us why we are all here.” I get to the point, I have no time to deal with his games.

“I don’t know.” He simply states.

“What do you mean, you don’t know?” Mercer snaps standing from the lounge.

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