Zack hit the parking lot so fast he almost tripped over his own feet. He took off in a random direction, desperate to put space between himself and the club. He didn’t stop until his lungs screamed and his veins were pumping shrapnel. Every breath he took made his chest feel like it was going to explode. He collapsed against the side of a dilapidated liquor store and spent several minutes trying to calm down.

When he could breathe enough to speak, Zack dug into his pocket and pulled out his phone, a lighter, and a cigarette. He put the latter between his lips and lit it with trembling fingers. Then he dialed Lee’s number and waited.

Lee picked up on the third ring. “Zack, where the hell are you? We’ve been looking everywhere for you. The bouncers said—”

“I need you to come get me,” Zack interrupted. He ignored his aching lungs and sucked on his cigarette as hard as he could. The smoke made his throat burn.

“Okay, where are you?”

Zack faltered. He had no idea. He walked toward the street corner until he saw a sign. “I’m on the same street as the club. Head for Twelfth, and you’ll see me.”

“But why are you—”

“Just come get me, please.” Zack must have sounded wrecked, because Lee hung up without arguing further. Zack smoked the rest of his cigarette and then flicked it into the street. By the time Lee’s car came into view, he was a jittery mess. He jogged over, yanked open the back door, and threw himself inside.

Lee was driving, Alexa was in the front seat, and Kira was in the back with him. They all wore matching bewildered expressions.

“Hi,” Zack said. “Did you have fun at the club?”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Alexa shrieked. “You scared the shit out of us!”

“Seriously, what happened?” Lee asked as he pulled away. He frowned at Zack in the rearview mirror. “Are you okay?”

“And don’t try to change the subject again,” Kira said, much more calmly than the other two.

“Sorry,” Zack said, rubbing a hand on his chin. “I think I’m still in shock. It’s making me act like a douche.”

“Want me to slap you?” Alexa offered helpfully. Despite her light tone, she had a worried line etched between her brows.

Zack barked out an unnatural laugh. “I might take you up on that. I almost feel like I could use it. That, or a cold bucket of water over the head.”

“Well, don’t leave us in suspense, drama queen,” Kira said. “One second you said you were getting a beer, and the next thing we knew, the club was closing, everyone was going home, and you were nowhere to be found.”

“Well, when you put it like that,” Zack began, “it’s kind of a long story.”

“We have time.”