“Would you all quit it?” I snapped. “Jesus Christ, what are we, sixteen?”

“Never knew you to be such a pacifist, Jess,” Alex said. At least he finally dragged his eyes away from Lucas. “You suddenly think they’re good guys now that you fucked one of them?”

I swallowed thickly, folding my arms. I hadn’t told anyone except my best friend, Ashley, about hooking up with Manson. But apparently, the rumor had still gotten around.

I lifted my chin, knowing confidence was worth more than any petty insults. “Oh my God, Alex, get over it. Seriously, stop being a dick. Do you want to end up with the cops called and this whole thing shut down early?”

“Is that a threat?” Alex took one step toward me, shocking me with how rapidly his anger came to focus on me.

There was a soft sound, the scrape of metal on metal. Alex twitched as he lifted his eyes from my face.

“I’d suggest backing the fuck up,” Jason said, his voice low. He’d stepped forward to stand on my left, and Manson nudged closer against my back. Vincent stepped up on my right, still keeping a grip on Lucas’s shoulder.

“Chill out, McAllister,” Vincent said, his usual jovial tone significantly subdued. “Plenty of room here for all of us, isn’t there?”

To judge by Alex’s expression, the whole town wasn’t big enough for all of them. He sucked his teeth, shaking his head.

“I knew you all were cowards,” he said. His mouth twisted with disgust, his eyes aimed right at Lucas. “Good thing you got your friends to make sure you don’t start fights you can’t win.”

Lucas lunged, and this time, not even Manson and Vincent could hold him back. He got in front of me, right in Alex’s face, the two of them staring each other down with clenched fists.

“Try me, motherfucker,” Lucas hissed. “Come on. Fucking try me.”

Alex spread his arms. “I’m right here! Too scared to throw a punch?”

I was certain I was about to see bloodshed. But Manson reached out, grabbed Lucas’s shoulder, and jerked him back. For a moment, Lucas looked so livid I thought his fury was going to find a new target, but Manson didn’t waver.

“If you’ve got a score to settle, do it behind the wheel,” he said, his eyes moving between Lucas and Alex. “This is bullshit.”

“Name the time and place,” Alex said.

“Next Friday,” Lucas said tightly. “We’ll meet at the bridge off Ellis Street, 10 pm.”

Alex smirked. “All right, I’ll be there. Better bring your friends.” He looked down at me, his eyes lingering long enough to give me an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. “Gets real dark down those old roads. It isn’t safe to wander out there alone.” He was speaking to Lucas, but it felt more like a warning for me. “We’ll be seeing you.”

Alex spat on the ground before he turned and stalked away, his friends moving with him. They rejoined Danielle, who was staring at me with wide eyes as if she couldn’t make sense of what was happening. I was left with a pounding heart, nervous energy turning my stomach.