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So close tonight.

Didn’t even get to show you our new knife trick.

There’s always next time.

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That pretty golden boy can’t protect you forever, but I’m going to enjoy every second he tries.

The cold I’d thought was just from the fall chill sank deeper, rooting itself under my skin. Who the hell was this? I glanced outside, beyond where Ryder was standing, searching for any sign of someone lurking in the shadows. It was clear that whoever this was, they were still watching.

Maybe closer than I could even guess.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

SANJANA

I jolted awake, heart slamming once against my ribs before settling into a confused, stumbling rhythm. For a second, I had no idea where I was. The dark interior, the muted rumble of an engine cooling, the faint hum of voices outside all folding over me like a heavy, disorienting fog. A hand was touching my shoulder.

“We’re here.” Cade’s voice chased away the lingering drowsiness.

The light from a nearby sign bled through the truck windows, bright and artificial, against the darkened sky. Sharp yellow and red neon letters buzzing against the night:Penny’s Waffle House.The familiar swoop of the sign was jarring, the cozy, old-brick vibe of the building behind it giving the parking lot a strange warmth even this late.

Penny’s wasn’t just any roadside diner.

It was Hemlock Heights woven into asphalt and syrup and greasy food at 2 A.M. It was mini road trips on weekends when I was a kid and post-game celebrations. I looked down at myself and saw I was covered with Ryder’s varsity jacket. The black and silver fabric was draped carefully over me, the sleeves tucked close to make sure they wouldn’t slide off. How had I let my guard down enough that they had driven the whole way here, and I hadn't even stirred? My fingers curled tighter into the jacket.

I looked up and caught Ryder’s eye in the rearview mirror.

“We’re still doing this tonight?”

“It’s tradition,” Ryder answered.

My entire face screwed up hearing that word. “I think I’ve had enough tradition for a lifetime.”

“How about this then, we go in here and enjoy a meal and not discuss anything about The Hunt? It will all be waiting for us when we’re done.”

“I can do that,” I readily agreed.

“Now that’s settled, let’s eat!” Cade clapped his hands and hopped out, the slam of the truck door punctuating the cold night around us. I sat up, arching my back and stretching. I could already feel the soreness I knew would be coming, setting in.Freaking Dennis.I lifted Ryder’s jacket and slipped it on since I was still in my practice uniform for cheer. I finger-combed my hair and then searched for my phone.

“I have it.”

I looked up again, seeing Ryder had been steadily watching me the entire time.

“It was on the floor when we got in.”

My door opened, and an impatient Cade reached in. “Come on, Little Sanj, I’m starving, so I know you are too.”

“What are you trying to say?” I laughed and slid out, accepting his help.

The cold hit instantly, slicing against my bare legs, but the jacket helped, thick and heavy, still carrying the smell of Ryder.

Me and Cade walked together, leaving Ryder to catch up. We stepped inside, and the familiarity surrounded us. The appetizing aroma of food and coffee clung to the walls and old booths. There were a few other people inside, two older men hunched over mugs at the counter, talking low.

A group of what I assumed were Hemlock High kids sat around one of the corner tables, loud but harmless. A pretty girl with silver hair was leaning into a guy with a sports jacket on. I smiled at the sight of them.

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