It's been five years since the sudden disappearance of Cora Cadigan's mother. Five years since the case was closed before it even began.
In the final summer before the end of high school, Cora knows it's her last opportunity to find the answers she...
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"What a sight to walk into."
I'd told Teagan that I was going to spend the night at the hospital. Alone with dad. He's leaving for rehab soon and I want to see him as much as I can before he leaves. It's not entirely a lie. I do want to see him as much as I can before he leaves. I'm just not exactly staying at the hospital tonight.
Rhys had told me that his mum and dad were both going to be working late and that they wouldn't even know I was over. So I was staying the night.
We'd just forgotten about Max.
I jump when Max speaks, practically tumbling off of Rhys's lap, midway through kissing him. I can feel my heart hammering in my chest, even though we weren't doing anything that embarrassing. It could have been a lot worse.
"What are you doing here?" Rhys sighs, rolling his eyes.
"Well, brother, I actually live here," Max smirks, perching on the arm of the couch, wearing a bemused expression.
"Thanks, smartass," Rhys grits, his arm reaching over the back of the couch. His fingers trace light patterns on my shoulder as I sit up straight. "I thought you were staying at Abby's tonight."
Max grunts, wracking a hand through his hair. "I was. But we argued over what to get for dinner. Then she brought up the fact that three months ago I had told her that I didn't want to get engaged until I was at least 27 years old. Girls, man, they really do hold onto things you say. I decided to leave after that."
Abby and Max had been the golden couple at school when I was in ninth grade. The king and queen at school formals. It's just something everyone knows in town. It's expected that they'll get married. And it's clear the Laderman's love her. She came from a wealthy family and Rebecca has given her a job.
I try not to think about what that likely means for someone like me.
"Trouble in paradise?" Rhys smirks.
Max throws him a glare, sticking up his middle finger. "People fight, Rhys. Just you wait until you've been with CeCe for a little longer. Then she'll unleash her wicked powers."
