Page 9 of Push

A buzz rattled the coffee table.

My heart racing, I launched off the couch, and with a trembling hand, I grabbed my phone. The name flashing on the screen wasn’t the one I expected, but I accepted the call.

“Hey, Ian,” I said.

“Gwenny, thank God.” The worried edge to Ian’s voice caught me off guard. “I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner. Is it too late now? God, it is, isn’t it? Please tell me you’re okay.”

“I’m fine. The car’s a write-off, though.”

“Jesus… Gwen… When I heard…” A muttered curse. “What about the little guy?”

“Noah’s safe and sound in bed.”

“Little trooper. He’s tough, just like his mama.”

I picked up my mug and sank back on the couch. “Did you see Toby tonight?”

“Uh…”

“At the party you guys went to?”

“I, um…” Ian cleared his throat. “Yeah.”

The cup of tea hovering at my lips, I cocked my head, listening closer. His tone had shifted. Not from worry, but…something else. “When’s the last time you saw Toby?”

“Oh, uh… Just now.” Ian’s laugh was strained. “He’s…you know…here.”

“At your place?”

“He’s… Yeah… At my place.”

Bullcrap. Teenagers caught with a bag of pot lied more convincingly than this pathetic attempt. “Toby’s phone’s going straight to voicemail. Can you put him on so I can talk to him?”Here’s betting the answer’s no…

“I would, but… He’s out cold. He drank a few too many tonight and needs to sleep it off.” Another awkward laugh echoed. “You know Tobes.”

I huffed an incredulous laugh, muttered, “I sure do,” and casually sipped my tea like I wasn’t listening to the biggest pile of crap I’d ever heard. When Toby had “too many,” he trotted out the jokes or—to the horror of anyone within hugging distance—declared how much he loved them. More energy, never less. He was the life of the party.

“But as soon as I see—shit.” Ian sighed. “I mean, as soon as he wakes up… I’ll tell him to call you.”

“I’m sure you will.”

Ian heaved another sigh. “Gwen… I… I’m glad you and the little guy are okay.”

“I appreciate the call.”Lying bastard. “Don’t forget to tell Toby, okay?”

“Yeah… Night.”

Shaking my head, almost laughing, I hung up.

Marnie’s eyebrows lifted.

I fixed a blank stare on the family photos under the TV, the mug steady in my hand, every slow sip masking the rage simmering in my veins.

“So, uh…” Marnie cleared her throat. “Toby’s at Ian’s place?”

“Nope.”

“You think he’s covering?”

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