Page 38 of The Flirty Forward

“We got him; continue,” Scott says, practically sitting on Zac.

I grimace as I say this next part. “I might have mentioned that I was interested in a teacher and that she wasn’t interested back. Well, that made all the crazies go track her down.”

“They found a random teacher?” Dylan asks in confusion.

“Yeah,” I say on an exhale. “Well, I might have added that she was a middle school history teacher.”

Some of the guys laugh but try to hide it. “So then what happened?” Rico pushes.

“They went after her, showing up at her school, saying awful things about her online, putting out memes about her, calling her all kinds of names. And yesterday, some idiot sent black roses to her at her school with a note saying I’m better off without her.”

“They threatened her?” Rico asks in disgust.

“That’s crazy!”

“That’s just wrong.”

“Let’s go find him and put some hurting on him.”

I shake my head at my teammates. “I don’t know who it is. If I did, believe me, they’d be dealt with.”

“So how did your girl respond?” Gunner asks.

I wish he’d stop calling her that when she’s so obviously not my girl, no matter how much I want her to be. “She won’t answer my phone calls or text messages.”

“Dude, you need to go over there,” Dylan says.

“I did,” I say, leveling a look at him. “She wasn’t there.”

“And since she’s not taking your calls, you can’t get ahold of her,” Zac fills in. “Is she okay?” The fact that he’s serious for once in his life cues me in to just how awful a mess this is.

“I don’t know.” I put my head in my hands. I can’t believe what an idiot I am; I’ve never messed up as big as this. “I just want to know that she’s okay and maybe that she doesn’t hate my guts. I’m pretty sure I’ve ruined any chance of ever becoming anything even remotely close to friends.” I can’t believe I’mbaring my soul to my teammates like this, but I have nothing to hide. I royally blew it.

“I know where she is.”

My head jerks up, and I stare at Aiden. “You know?” I stand to my feet. “You knew this whole time? I’ve been sick about it, not knowing where she was or whether or not she’s okay.” I advance on him, ready to punch my closest friend.

“She told me not to tell you.” His quiet words bring me to a halt.

“Is she okay?” I ask.

He nods. He looks hesitant a minute but finally says, “She went to her parents’ house.”

“Where?” I demand.

“They live about three hours away.”

“Where, Aiden?”

He crosses his arms across his chest. “BrielleandStephanie told me not to tell you.” That cuts deep, but I push forward.

“And if it was Brielle? If I knew where she was and you didn’t and you were worried about her?”

His eyes narrow, and I know I’m pushing him right where it hurts. But I’m beyond caring. I just want to know my girl’s okay; that she’s safe.Shoot.Now I’m even calling hermy girl. I try one more time. “Where, Aiden?”

“I’ll text you the address.” Relief fills me. “You better make things right with her,” he threatens. “If she gets upset, Brielle will get upset.”

“And we can’t have that happening,” Zac says with a snort. “We need him to not be at odds with his girl, or he’s mean.” Aiden gives him a look, and he ducks behind Scott. “Do you even know how scary you were before she came into your life?” he calls out.

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