Page 134 of The Way We Collide

“Is everything okay?” Allie studies my expression.

“I think so? I got a text from the news manager back in LA. I’m sure it’s no big deal.”

“We’ve got you covered, lady.” Rachel puts her hand on my shoulder. “Take your time.”

I wave to Dylan, who’s sitting in the back of the box away from the windows, watching with Thomas on his tiny, portable black-and-white television. I’ve been told it’s his lucky TV, and he watches all the games on it.

Going into the breezeway outside the box, I quickly return Star’s call. She answers on the first ring.

“I’m so sorry to bother you!” She’s speaking high and fast. “I can’t find Wilt, and we just got a report that a private, two-seater plane went down in the hills. EMS needs us to use the mapping software to help find them, but I don’t know how.”

My heart drops. “Star, oh my God, were they killed?”

“We don’t know, but the clock is ticking. Can you talk me through it?”

Blinking fast, I try to visualize the console. The stadium erupts into cheering, and I walk away, doing my best to find a quiet space where I can think.

“I’ve got her on the line now.” Star is on the radio talking to emergency crews, and I chew my lip.

“Pull up the Scout Master software, and you’ll need to draw a radius around the area. Are you able to do that?”

I hear clicking on the other end of the phone, and Star speaks softly to herself. “Let me ask if they can give me an idea…”

She moves the phone away from her mouth, and I wait as she returns to the EMS workers. “He said it’s somewhere between Bell Canyon and Hidden Hills.”

I’m still learning the area, but I’ve sat beside Wilt several times as he showed me how to pinpoint locations. He said it was for wildfire detection, but I don’t see why it won’t help us now.

“All planes have a black box. It should transmit a signal.” I scrub my fingers across my forehead, trying to think. “It’s something megahertz. Wilt has the number written on the desk. Look beside the keyboard.”

“Give me a second. I’m not at his desk.”

More cheers erupt in the stadium. I’m missing the game, and I know Hendrix will wonder why I’m not there with Haddy cheering him on. I don’t want him to worry or be distracted.

“I found it!” Her voice is high. “Hang on!”

She’s back on the line with the EMS guys, and I’m chewing the side of my fingernail, blinking at the door to the stadium.

“That’s it. It’s got to be them!” Star’s voice goes high. “We found them. Raven! You helped me find them!”

“That’s great, Star. That’s great. Can you guide them how to get there? I really need to get back…”

“I’ll text you.” We disconnect, and I dash across the concessions area, heading to the box entrance.

“Shit!” I forgot my key card, and I have to bang on the door. “Guys—let me in!”

They’re all facing the field, and I slam my palm against the glass repeatedly. More cheering breaks out. They’re all jumping and hugging each other, and I almost scream, fumbling for my phone so I can text Dylan to let me in.

Her head turns and her eyes widen. I see her yell my name and she runs to the door to let me in the box. “Where have you been? You’re missing everything!”

“Life or death situation.” I hold up my phone. “What did I miss?”

“Okay, you’re going to have to explain that. Tyler dodged a sack and was finally able to get a decent pass off to Hendrix, but that 53 guy pulled him down. Now they’re lined up, and Jack says they’re going to do a tush push.”

“Tush push?” I wrinkle my nose.

“It’s exactly what it sounds like.”

We run to the window in time to see all ten guys in a tight huddle. The snap goes, and they shove forward as a group, literally pushing Tyler’s butt over the line for the touchdown. The guys laugh and slap hands. Dylan and I exchange a glance and blow a laugh through our lips.

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