Catching Teardrops (MAC Security 5)

Frowning, I turn to face my house, the office light switched off but the kitchen one shining bright.

“We’ll do it on Tuesday,” Luke says. “Meet us at Mom’s—normal time.”

Just as I’m about to tell him okay, I turn around, but he’s walking away, the darkness swallowing him up.

LUKE

My eyes burn from lack of sleep as I wait outside Mal and Cal’s house—Evan’s parents—but it’s a sensation I’m used to. Nights are the worst. When darkness closes in, it gives way for the memories to creep back in, allowing them a space in my mind.

I drum my fingers against the steering wheel, trying to occupy my mind with anything but what will surely happen tonight when I get into bed again.

My gaze flicks to the time on the dash.

It’s been several days since I gave Lily the cell, and not once has she used it. I can’t decide whether it’s a good thing or not. I’m denying that I want to hear her voice.

Fuck!

Pulling my cell out, I shoot off a message to my mom, asking if she’s seen Lily. I know I’m opening myself up to questions I don’t have the answers to, but I can’t stop myself from sending the message as the sound of a door closes. I’m being sucked in, and no matter how many times I try to grab hold of something to pull myself back, it doesn’t work.

Turning my head as I drop my cell on my lap, I watch Evan running down the path and open the car door, saying, “Let’s go,” before slapping his hand on the dash. Pulling away from the curb, I side-eye him, wondering why he wants me to hurry.

The silence wraps around us and I can’t stop my brain from flicking back to Lily. My grip tightens on the steering wheel, my mind running away with me as I think of how fragile she looked a couple of nights ago in the field.

I never thought I’d have to go and find her, but when she didn’t turn up at Mom’s, my gut told me something was wrong, especially after seeing her that same morning and the cut on her lip.

Fuck. I shouldn’t be getting closer to her, but it doesn’t matter how many times I tell myself that, it’s never going to happen. I’m already worrying about her and wanting to call the cell I gave her.

What the hell am I doing? I swore I wouldn’t get involved, yet here I am, not able to get her out of my mind.

I shouldn’t be feeling the connection with her that I do; especially as she’s a decade younger than me.

So why is it when I look into her eyes I feel like I just came home?

I flick my gaze over to Evan who is watching me like a fuckin’ creeper.

“What happened?” I growl out, trying to distract myself.

He heaves a breath. “Someone slashed my tires, Eric picked up my car last night, I need to head over to see how much damage is done.”

“You know who did it?”

He crosses his arms over his chest, leaning back in the seat. “I have an idea, but I need to check my cameras.”

Neither of us say anything as I drive us toward the auto body repair shop.

“What’s up with you?” he asks after the silence has stretched longer than he finds acceptable.

“None of your goddamn business.”

“Whoa.” He holds his hands up. “Time of the month?”

I growl louder before lifting my hand and smacking my fist onto the steering wheel.

This is fucking bullshit! I shouldn’t be feeling like I want to drive over to her high school and pull her out, demanding to know what the hell is going on. I shouldn’t be messaging my mom asking if she’s seen the seventeen-year-old girl today. Fuck. Shit!

“Luke! What the fuck?”

I ignore him, my nostrils flaring as my chest heaves up and down before I slam the brakes outside the shop.