She scoffed. “Yeah, right.” She glanced at Jake. “I’ll text you later.” She blew him a kiss and we fell in with the last stragglers of the crowd leaving.

I hugged her outside my car, silently siphoning her happiness and support to wash away the bad taste that talking to Brandon had left in my mouth.

“See you tomorrow,” I said, sinking behind the wheel.

As I watched her walk to her car parked a few spaces down, I sucked in a sharp breath. I didn’t have time to dwell on my past or Brandon’s need to seek me out tonight. I had a challenge to cultivate and hopefully, classmates to help.

I pulled out of the parking lot, wondering just how I’d go about doing that, and hoping like hell I’d be enough.

For once.

I knew I needed sleep, that I needed to unplug and recharge. But after seeing Sabrina’s post, I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist checking the site when I got home. A few more hours awake wouldn’t kill me.

So, instead of heading straight home, I drove toward my favorite taco shop to grab some much-needed fuel.

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Dean

“What brings you out here?” Tessa asked from behind the counter, her bright yellow shirt clashing with her dark hair.

“I brought you a treat,” I said, handing her the grande iced mocha I’d picked up on my way over.

She eyed the drink, then me. “Why?”

I tilted my head. “Act like I don’t do this on the reg.”

“Thanks!” She chuckled, her suspicions clearing as she took the drink. “I so needed it. We just finished a major rush.”

I scanned the quaint taco shop, noting the packed tables. It was a laid-back place, its regular customers that of the Wilmont variety. Tessa had worked here for a year now, and I made sure to stop by randomly sometimes when she had a shift—check up on my baby sister and free tacos. Win, win.

She slurped the drink, her eyes rolling back in her head for a moment before she set it behind the counter. “So. Good.” She glanced behind me, her customer-service smile dominating her face. “What can I get you?”

I stepped to the side, not wanting to be in the customer’s way.

“Number four. To go, please.”

Amber’s voice had me whirling around like I was hooked on a magnet she controlled. “Pixie,” I said, eyeing her. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

That beautiful blush I’d seen earlier flushed her cheeks, but she sharpened her features.

I smirked, loving the way she could be soft and fierce at the same time. Remembering our earlier chat, I cleared my throat and dropped the flirt that came automatically. “I mean,” I said, stepping closer to her, “haven’t you been running full-speed all day on only a few hours?”