If this is an episode of Orange is the New Black, I’m that naïve blonde girl, trying not to get beat up. I’ve never so much as had a speeding ticket, and now I’m in a cell—a real fucking cell—with three women who’ve obviously seen the inside of a jail before, and I’m sure they’re mocking me. Laughing at my tears, giggling about how I begged to go home. They’re probably drawing straws to see who gets to torment me first.

Cool it, Eden.

This is so not the place for my imagination to spiral out of control.

A tall Amazonian woman flashes me a grin. “What happened to you, princess snowflake? Looks like someone roughed you up good.”

I glance down at my torn blouse and crimson-stained skirt. Another outfit ruined, thanks to Lucas and his fucking temper. Just great. My blood boils with fresh anger.

Another of my cellmates chucks her double chin. “If some dude did that to you, I hope you cut his balls off. I’d be happy to help out with that. Revenge is something I excel at.”

“Thanks,” I kind-of half whisper, wondering briefly what act of vengeance landed her behind bars tonight.

My mind drifts back to my problem. I’m too wound up to humor their speculations and assumption anyways. I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to get out of this mess. And holy crap, is it ever a damn mess.

I haven’t used my one phone call yet, but that’s only because I’m still considering my options. Liz is out, and because Marnie can’t keep a secret, she’s out too. I’ve alienated most of my grad school friends, none of my family lives in the area, and the stragglers left—the kind-hearted souls who might take pity on me—definitely don’t have the cash to bail me out.

For the millionth time since I lost them, the hole my parents left when they died threatens to drag me down into a dark spiral of despair and hopelessness. If only I could call Mom or Dad…

If only.

But I came to terms with the reality of their passing long ago, and I push away the pain and sadness as quickly as I can.

Just as I’m getting ready to sit down on the dirty floor and get ready to try and nap sitting up, someone comes to the bars and yells my name.

“Miss Bradley?” The cell clanks open and a burly officer stands with his hands on the bars, his face pinched with resigned impatience. “Come with me.”

My heart leaps with relief.

A murmur of hisses and boos echoes behind me. I hurry after the officer, not daring to look back.

“Did someone bail me out?”

“Sure did. We don’t just let people out for nothing.”

And then my stomach clenches at the sight of Lucas, pacing back in forth in the police station lobby. His shirt is untucked, jeans stained. The baseball cap in his hand is splattered with blood. A bandage wraps across his chin and a bruise has begun to bloom under his left eye. My heart squeezes with unexpected sympathy. I tuck my hands tight against my sides, resisting the urge to go to him.

“Hey.” He steps toward me. “You okay?”

“Yes. You?”

He blows a puff of air out of his nose. “I feel like shit.”

“Good. Maybe you won’t fight strangers in bars anymore.”

I hate how vulnerable he looks. It makes me want to go to him, and wrap myself in his strong arms and whisper in his ear that everything’s going to be okay.

He points to the reception desk. “You can gather your things there.”

I have seventeen missed calls between Marnie and Liz and a string of texts that start with concern, and end with thinly-veiled insults and threats. Damn it. I finish reading them, tears pin pricking my eyes, and swipe my arm across my eyes. I’m in so much shit.

“Can we talk?” Lucas says, sneaking up behind me.

I flinch, nervous he might touch me, which would be my undoing. As mad as I am, I only have so much willpower.

“I have to get to the office—” My voice catches. “I don’t think we have anything left to say to each other, Lucas.”

His voice goes hard. “I bailed you out, at least give me five minutes.”

I whirl around, eyes flashing. “You’re the reason I’m in this place at all.” He opens his mouth to interrupt, but I hold up a finger, warning him to keep his mouth shut. “You’ve said everything you needed to this afternoon, and I get it, you’re done with me. I accept that, but don’t you fucking stand there acting all indignant, thinking that you rescued me, because you didn’t. Not this time.”

Again his lips start to move, but the white noise buzzing in my ears makes it impossible to hear him. It doesn’t matter. I’ll make sure I have the last word, “Leave me alone, Lucas. I just want to go home.”

His jaw tenses. “At least let me call my driver to take you back to your apartment.”

I shake my head. “Don’t bother. I’d rather walk than have something else for you to hold over my head. It’s over.” His eyes flash and he reaches out. I stare down at his hand, forcing myself to be strong. “Let it go, Lucas. Let me go.”