“I’m not making you,” he says gently. “But, selfishly, I’m asking you to because you’re right—it’s probably going to suck. And if you wait until tomorrow, when you’re home, then I won’t be there for the aftermath. But if you do it today, then you can use me as a human punching bag for those tiny balls of rage you call fists. Or get a hug. Or both.”

Oh. That is … nice. And compelling reasoning. And I wish it weren’t making me a little teary to have someone like that in my corner. “Doesn’t seem like there’s a whole lot in it for you,” I say, sniffing.

“Well, I’m assuming you’ll end up desperately grateful for my presence, which can only translate to extreme horniness and/or letting me choose what movie we watch tonight.”

“You are the literal worst,” I tell him, but he isn’t, not at all, and so I kiss him again.

I stare at my phone for a solid five minutes after Salem goes back upstairs, playing endless games of “What’s the worst that could happen?” in my mind. There’s such a disconnect between me at a poker table and me trying to function in reality; in the latter, I never seem to see anything coming, can’t call anyone’s bluff or guess their next move.

There’s a reason I love cards.

But what is the worst that could happen? I have nothing to do with her going to rehab. I have nothing to do with whatever punishments my parents have meted out. I already know she hasn’t successfully brought Claire over to the dark side, and if she has taken Craig, well, I can’t imagine something I’d care less about at this point.

So I guess there’s not a whole lot to worry about.

Maybe.

I make the call.

But the voice that picks up on the other end isn’t hers.

“Evie?” Mom sounds puzzled. “You’re trying to reach Sierra?”

“I figured maybe we should talk before I see her tomorrow, but that’s okay. I can definitely wait.” I pause. “Why do you have her phone?”

She sighs. “Sierra’s phone privileges have been restricted. But I think we can make an exception in this case. Hold on, I’ll get her.”

So much for that out. I mutter a “thanks” and wait for a full two minutes before I finally hear the voice I’ve been avoiding for six months.

“Finally decided to acknowledge my existence, huh?” is a hell of an opening line.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

On the other end of the line, Sierra whistles. “Wow. Somebody got a spine up at fancy boarding school. Maybe Mom and Dad taking out a second mortgage so you could get away from your loser boyfriend was worth it after all.”