Mia Evian has to piece together the mystery of Zack Maddox, the bad boy whose life she saved, while simultaneously keeping her own crumbling life together before Zack ends up in trouble again - or worse yet, dead.
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It's a Wednesday morning, and I'm in the college library when I bump into Preston for the first time in weeks. Aiden and I are trying to make sense of the law assignment we've been given, although admittedly, we're spending more time watching videos of dogs wearing fancy dress than we are researching contract law. I hear someone shuffling about next to us and turn to see Preston, which turns my entire body cold.
I think of his secret Dad told me, my visit to his mother, finding out why she's in prison, visiting Matty at his foster parents' home, and just about everything else I know about him that I shouldn't. And I feel awful. He's straddling one of the blue library chairs as he chews on something.
He grins, then says, 'hey dickheads, how's it going?'
I roll my eyes, and my guilt is replaced by pure frustration over his compulsion to play the role of Zack when in public.
'We're doing work, would you mind bothering someone else?' I mutter.
'C'mon, that's not a nice way to greet the guy who saved your arse a few weeks back.' He pouts his lips. 'Ain't you missed me?'
'No.'
'Y'know,' Aiden begins. 'I can't tell if you two have the most intense sexual tension I've ever witnessed, or if you just legitimately hate each other.'
I elbow him hard in the ribs, and he lets out a disturbingly high-pitched screech. Preston laughs and gives him a high-five, which makes the plump librarian at the main desk scowl and tell us to be quiet. I groan as I shoot her the most apologetic look I can muster up in an attempt to make her realise that this is a lot more painful for me than it is for her.
'Hey, Aiden, be an absolute legend and ask that whiny bitch behind the counter if they have this book for me, yeah?'
Preston delves into his jeans' pocket to find a crumpled piece of paper, and hands it to Aiden. Aiden, being the lapdog he is, nods enthusiastically and trots over to the main desk. Preston watches him until he's out of earshot, then turns back to me. He's still chewing on something.
'Mia, I require a monumental favour from you.'
'Oh, hey Preston, fancy seeing you here.'
He smiles sarcastically. 'Matty's foster parents have a rental home in Pembrokeshire, where they spend most weekends. Have I mentioned that before? Apologies if I have. But yes, well, I've no idea what form of chronic illness has overcome them, but they've proposed I join them with Matty this weekend.' He's speaking at a record-breaking pace, and I can barely keep up. 'I understand if you immediately refuse because it would be incredibly awkward, I'm aware, but this might be my final opportunity to fix things, and I fear I'll mess it up.'
'What do you mean? You've not asked me anything?'
'Oh, sorry. I was wondering if you would come along.' He stammers a little. 'I've already asked them about you joining us, and they had no objections.'
