* * *

We’d decided to meet up after taking the girls home after dinner. We being, Alec, Jared and I. I didn’t tell Track about our suspicions either because, let’s just say, dude’s got enough shit on his plate as it is.

I stood in the school’s parking lot with Alec waiting for Jared who was still not back from taking Belle home. “I have a bad feeling about what just happened.”

I looked up at the night sky and felt the cool breeze across my face. It seems like lately, shit just keeps spiraling out of control and we haven’t had any luck getting a handle on things.

“Me too, did you see Jace’s face, damn. As if this shit wasn’t enough to begin with.” Alec shook his head as he leaned against my truck next to me.

“Yeah, I saw! I hope Sian’s okay.”

“You said it yourself, he’d never hurt her.”

“Yeah, but I’m not sure she knows how to deal with him in this mood.”

“Does anyone?” He had a point.

Jace can be a bit cold and reserved to begin with. Only with us, his friends does he let himself relax and be a regular kid. But since Sian came into the picture I’d seen a softer side to him.

Even though the two of us, and Track came from wealthy families, there was no mistaking the fact that Jace’s wealth far exceeded ours. Not only that, but his reach and influence was way beyond ours as well.

A year ago, before Sian, before Track kept being shipped off to that fucking detention center or whatever the fuck, the four of us were the ones everyone knew not to fuck with.

We weren’t bullies or anything like that. We just kept ourselves separated from the student body. It had been like that since Pre-K.

Everyone knew that we were heirs to this town. That the four of us combined made up the most elite group in the whole entire town, because of our families’ wealth.

We didn’t flaunt that shit, never had to, it was just something that was known. Something, that the parents of the other kids here, warned their kids to be mindful of.

The truth is Jace could end a career with a phone call. By rights he was a cut above the rest of us because of who he is, but he’s never acted that way.

The three of us had always been sort of his protectors since we were little. Even back then it was obvious that people tried to get close to him because of who he was.

Once when we were younger, someone had even tried to kidnap him. But because his mom and dad are super over protective of him, they hadn’t succeeded.

What made the situation worst was that it was his driver, someone they’d trusted who’d set him up. Not knowing that his every word and move was being recorded.

I don’t think anyone had ever seen or heard from him again, who cares. But from then until now, the four of us have been each other’s shadow.

That shit wasn’t something you forget and it had left a lasting impression on all of us. So it was an unspoken rule between Alec, Track and I, to always watch out for our boy.

Now there was Jared, an honorary member. Though his family had nothing to do with this town and wasn’t part of the fabric, he was Jace’s brother in law. I doubt even he understands what that shit means.

My mind was going all over the place because of that look on Jace’s face when we left the restaurant tonight. I had the feeling we were at the precipice of some monumental change.

I feel kinda bad because I know that he’s been doing his best to enjoy his last year of high school; the last vestiges of his youth. But I also know what lays ahead for him, what he’s been holding at bay.

“The one we should be worrying about is Mandy. Is that girl really this stupid?” Alec shook his head.

“It’s not that. I think she thinks she’s too smart. I think she really believes she can win Jace back.”

“Like I said, stupid. He should never have been with her in the first place. I still don’t get why he even went there.”

“Who knows, he’s never said why and you know he would never discuss such a thing, not even with us. At least it’s over and he came to his senses without us having to knock them back into him.”

“Yeah, but now I kind of agree with him. I can’t help thinking that she has a hand in what’s been going on with Sian. And if that’s true, that little skirmish tonight is the least of her troubles.”

“Yeah, but what about Stanley? He’s always had it in for Jace. And he and Mandy aren’t exactly close so where does he fit in with all this?”

“I don’t know and the stupid cops don’t seem to be getting anywhere. I know one thing for sure, if Jace doesn’t kill her dumb ass Track will.”

“Damn! I’m not sure which of those prospects are worst. Valerie’s cool though. Track’s finally letting her hang around with us. He must really like Sian.”

“Haven’t you noticed? Since Jace met Sian there’s been a shift even among us. I’m dating Tammy, someone I probably would’ve never noticed had it not been for Sian. Then there’s Belle and Cassie.”

“Yeah, they’re all cool, funny we didn’t notice until now.”

“I noticed you noticing Cassie earlier.” I punched his shoulder playfully.

“Are you blushing?”

“Shut up, here comes Jared with his late ass.”

“What the fuck, what’s Track doing here?” He pulled in right behind Jared and glared over at us.

He slammed out of his truck and walked over to join us. “Okay what the hell is this about I have shit to do.”

“How did you know we were going to be here?” He gave me one of his patented looks.

“Since when have you clowns ever been able to hide anything from me?”

Alec told him what he saw and what he suspected since there was no point in hiding it now. “Fuck, I’m guessing since he’s not here you haven’t told Jace yet.”

“What do you think? He’s not behind bars is he?”

“Dammit! Who made that call? If he finds out any other way you fucks are screwed.”

“I’ll take the blame, it was my call not to tell him.” Track looked at Jared like he was seeing him for the first time.

“I appreciate that you’re his girl’s brother and that’s maybe why you chose this path, but these two should’ve warned you, that’s not how we roll. Especially when it comes to Jace.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Do you know who Jace is?” Jared looked a bit bewildered by the question as he looked at Alec and I for an answer.

“Uh…”

“I see that you don’t but these two do and they should know better. Let’s leave that for now. We shouldn’t hang around here too long.”

He headed around the back of the building and the three of us followed until we reached the emergency exit.

Track picked the lock with ease and held the door open for the rest of us to go in ahead of him. Once inside we headed straight for the lockers and once again it was Track who fiddled around with the combination lock on Stanley’s until it sprung open.

“It’s gone, the bag is gone.” Alec pushed his way in front of us. Track pulled him back when he reached into the locker.

“Don’t touch anything. If there were explosives in here the idiot cops should know how to wipe it down for trace evidence.”

We closed it back and headed for the door. Once outside I was suddenly not so sure that we shouldn’t have told Jace.

Track was right when he said that Alec and I should know better. Because Jace is my best friend and he’s so laid back, it’s sometimes hard to remember who he is, who he’s going to be one day. Things had been going so smoothly since we were kids that none of us really gave it much thought anymore.

But with everything that’s been going on lately I’m not sure how much longer that’s gonna last. “Shit, we better tell Jace about this. What the fuck was I thinking?”

“Why are you guys freaking out like this?” Jared was starting to look a bit spooked.

“Don’t worry about it Jared I’ll take the blame.”

“That’s not answering my question. The blame for what Shayne?”

“Let’s get outta here. Why don’t you follow me Jared and I’ll fill you in on a few things.”

Track walked him over to his truck and I took Alec home before heading home to bed. I texted Tammy to say goodnight before turning out the lights and hoping that the next day would be uneventful. Somehow I had the uneasy feeling that it wasn’t going to be though.