Tank’s acting really weird lately. ‘Unstable’ is a better word. I’m worried. Not sure he will act on the Horton thing. Files are attached, but promise me one thing: we’ll work together. Tank has to stay anonymous. Think it over and we’ll talk. DON’T MAKE A MOVE WITHOUT ME. Sorry about snapping on you that night.

Love, S

So of course I’m thrilled when I finish reading it. Not because she’s attached the audio and video files, although that’s a nice surprise, but because she’s used the L word.

Sarah Foster loves me.

Man, something good has come my way.

Finally!

Chapter_20

20

My summer explodes on Saturday night, August 10th. It’s a night when fears and hopes collide at full speed, changing the lives of everybody involved, young and old, for better or worse or both. A summer full of seemingly unrelated events come together like puzzle pieces. Tank is involved. So is Sarah. Dale Foster and Helen Dawkins play prominent roles. Hell, even Hank Horton pops up.

But in the end it’s me, Zach Ramsey, who catches the worst of the blast.

There’s a hard knock at my bedroom window shortly before midnight. I’ve just slipped into bed after a sweaty shift at Huey’s, my hair still damp from the shower. I’ve been avoiding Mom and Dad since the day of the big blowout, and from the looks of things they’ve been avoiding each other as well. In a way we’re all on our own now, a divided family forced to live under the same roof. Justin’s never around (unless he’s passed out on the couch), and it seems Mom, Dad, and I do our best to take separate paths wherever we go.

Life in the Ramsey home is totally touchy.

I’m actually thinking about sneaking out for a cigarette, but when I hear that knock on my window I figure it must be Sarah stopping by to talk about the Horton plan. I scramble out of bed and hustle over, not paying any attention to the fact that I’m wearing only underwear.

My hopes deflate when I see Tank outside, smiling his devious smile, clearly ready to explore the neighborhood.

“Get dressed,” he whispers. “We’re going out.” He looks excited and definitely has something on his mind. Damn. I start to panic.

Wait a second.

Sarah was right. He doesn’t look excited. He looks unstable. There’s this disturbing glaze to his eyes I haven’t seen before.

Does he know about Sarah and me?

Did Sarah talk about the stash?

Does he know about the missing injector bottle?

“Where to?” I ask, my mouth going dry.

“It’s a surprise. I haven’t been out in over a month, so get out here.” He checks his cell for a text or something. “You’re gonna love it.”

“Hang on.”