As she spoke, Sophie’s gaze flickered to the guards who were indeed studying the situation, and then, raising her voice, she said, ‘Please, Beau, you need to go. You’re scaring me.’

His nostrils flared, and the veins at his temples bulged as his face flamed crimson. Eyes blazing, he took a menacing step forward, forcing Sophie against the wall when a tanned hand stopped him. Automatically, his fist swung up and out, but the security guard blocked the punch. A brief scuffle later, the two security guards dragged Beau away.

Before he was escorted outside, he twisted his upper body around and shouted back. ‘You better watch your back, you stupid cow.’

Holly and Sophie watched him shrug off the two guards and stomp off. But before they could turn around and head into the cafeteria for some food, the automatic double doors opened again, and Leigh Ann rushed in, panting, her face red from exertion. Slightly out of breath, she hurried over as soon as she spotted them.

‘I heard it on the news. How is she? Is she awake? What happened? Was that Beau I just saw leaving?’

At the mention of Beau’s name, both Holly and Sophie tensed, and in Sophie’s case, her face fell into a careful mask. In a monotone voice, she said, ‘She’s stable, we don’t know, we don’t have all the answers yet, and yes.’

‘How about you? Are you doing okay? Is there anything I can get you, do for you?’

Sophie stared at Leigh Ann like she’d grown a second head. ‘Are you serious right now? What you can do for me is leave me the hell alone.’

Leigh Ann’s gaze flickered between Sophie and Holly. Her shoulders sagged. ‘I get it. You’re still mad because I waited to tell Holly’s mom about the frat party. I guess that’s why neither of you sent a text. How many times do I have to say I’m sorry before you forgive me?’

A twinge of guilt ate at Holly’s conscience because Leigh Ann was right, and now that she saw her friend’s face, she knew one of them should’ve been a big enough person to tell her Jersey had been rescued.

‘Um, has she said what happened exactly?’ Leigh Ann stared out the window as she asked the question.

‘We actually haven’t seen her yet.’ It was clear by the tone of her voice that Sophie hadn’t wanted to admit that.

Leigh Ann nodded. ‘Do you want me to leave?’

Sophie sighed. ‘Yes, but that’s what I want, not what Jersey might need. Even if she doesn’t want to see any of us, I know it’ll help her knowing we’re all here.’

‘Thank you,’ Leigh Ann whispered.

Half an hour later, the girls headed back after stopping to buy three hot chocolates, a bag of chips, and a peanut butter cookie – none of which they planned to touch. They rode the car up in silence, and as they climbed off the elevator, Holly ran into her mom and Cord.