Page 209 of The Friend Situation

The flashing lights of the ambulance and the spotlight of the police car make me panic. My heart pounds so hard in my chest that I feel like I’m dying.

When Mawmaw finally parks, I unbuckle and run toward the small crowd of officers gathered. As I approach, I freeze because nothing makes sense.

Lena. Why the fuck is she here?

My face contorts as her cold, dead eyes meet mine. Then I notice the blood covering her white shirt. I rush toward her, pushing her with all my strength. Seconds later, she falls backward. With my fist clenched, I’m ready to bash her face in, but an officer pulls me away.

“Ma’am, you keep this up, and you’ll be going with her,” he warns.

I don’t care what he says.

“If you hurt Weston, if that’s his blood on your shirt, I will fucking kill you,” I scream at her, my voice full of vengeance.

She laughs like I’m the crazy one. It sets me off again, and I bolt forward. Strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me away.

“Don’t let her make you a villain too.”

Just his voice has me bursting into tears. I frantically turnaround, grabbing Weston’s face, searching over him for cuts or bruises.

“You’re okay?” I ask.

“I’m safe. She broke the restraining order and attempted murder,” he whispers against my mouth, kissing me.

I hold him tight. Emotions take over as I realize how tragic this night could’ve been.

Lena’s here. She’s in Texas.

How long has she been watching us?

“None of this makes sense.” I’m panicking, stuck in a spiral. I can barely get the words out as I wipe tears from my cheeks.

“I’m here, Carlee. We’re safe. Shh. Baby, it’s okay. I was going to call you, but your brothers had taken my phone.”

My mind spins. “She had a gun?”

Weston squeezes my shoulder, but my attention is torn away when I see the body resting on the gurney. My nostrils flare, and my heart drops when I notice it’s Brody.

I rush to him. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes.” He smiles, and then I notice his blood-soaked shirt. “Bullet grazed me. I’ll live.”

“Do you want us to meet you at the hospital? I can keep you company,” I offer.

“No.No.” He shakes his head. “I don’t even want to go, but Weston isforcingme. Enjoy your night together. Tomorrow’s important. Worth risking my life for.”

I bend over and hug him. “Thank you. Thank you for being there.”

“Don’t get sappy. I was doing my job,” he says, but I know he cares about Weston. They’re like brothers, the three of them.

“If you need anything, please text me. I’ll get my phone from whoever has it.” Weston looks pale like he’s seen a ghost,as he talks to Brody. “Thank you.”

“I’m fine,” Brody states, growing frustrated.

Lena screams something, and the officers shove her into the back of a car. It only muffles her.

“I don’t understand,” I say, shaking my head.

“She stalked Easton here after the courthouse. Lena said she’d never let me go,” he says roughly. I can hear the frustration in his tone. “Hope it was worth the years she’ll spend in prison.”

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