More track team members help Demarcus, me, and Quincy get out. People start trying to calm down the room, but my being here caused a ripple of tension across groups on different sides. I look to Mandy, who avoids eye contact. Only Black folks start exiting the party. A group of white guys circle, to make sure we don’t turn back.

Scott tugs on Chris’s arm, but he pulls back. They say a few words that don’t look friendly. Like they’ve been beefing, too.

On my way out, I whisper to Dean to stay. He’s torn, but he knows what’s up. People will be talking, and it could lead to more information.

On the steps, Tasha’s by my side, coming from nowhere. She must’ve been waiting outside.

“I was looking for you. Hoped you’d already left. That was stupid, Tracy.”

“I know.” But Tasha’s not fully mad, because she’s holding my hand, shaking as we rush to get away from the party.

“You okay?” Quincy reaches for me. Tasha drops my hand.

Quincy touches my face, then goes over my wrist that’ll surely bruise.

“I’m gonna kill him.”

I shake my head. “He’s not worth it.”

“I can take you home,” Quincy says.

I’m about to tell him I can ride with Tasha, until I realize he offered because Tasha’s leaving without me.

“Tasha!” I yell after her. She turns back, giving me a hard look, then opens her car door.

“Tasha!” I run to catch up, my feet pounding, and climb into her car.

“Why you riding with me?”

“Tasha. It’s been us, together, always.” She’s hurt about Quincy, obviously. I can’t let that push our friendship aside. It’s clear Quincy’s back in my life, but she’s taking it the wrong way.

“It sure don’t seem like it,” Tasha says. “Since when have you been feeling Quincy?”

“We have history, Tasha.” She’s never really known our history; no one has. Not what we’ve been through. All the things that are unspoken. But I also need Tasha. Tasha needs me.

“You know you’re the reason that fight started. He could’ve been hurt.”

“Quincy’s been helping me with my brother. There’s so much going on you don’t know, but it’s not like I’m trying to keep it from you. We been through a lot, too. And you’re mad, so yeah. I’m going with your stubborn ass.”

Tasha isn’t happy I joined her, but she also doesn’t kick me out.

We drive past Quincy’s Impala, where he’s leaning back on his car, nursing his leg and giving us a nod, but I look away. Won’t let Tasha see how badly I wanted to ride with Quincy.

WE GOT A SITUATION