He looks haunted by the incident, and I glance over at Ryke, his brown eyes planted on the carpet with the same disturbed expression.

“This happened on Ryke’s birthday?” I know it did. I read it in multiple articles. I push my glasses up, realizing my face is in a permanent wince.

“Yeah. I would’ve told you sooner, but…we’ve been trying to deal with a lot.”

“It’s okay,” I say, just grateful he’s telling me at all.

On September 19^th, Ryke’s birthday, I was at Lucky’s Diner. Talking to my mom. Afterwards, I texted Lo that I was going to spend the night at a hotel and probably just hang out there the next day. He replied about three hours after I sent the message, a lot slower than normal.

Loren Hale: Okay, let me know if you need anything. I’m always here.

“They didn’t steal anything,” he explains. “They just came inside with masks to scare us, as a prank. It’s not going to happen again, so I really don’t want you to be afraid of coming around. The guys who did this, they live in our neighborhood. They’re just rich pricks…or jerks.”

My lips faintly rise. It’s kind of funny when he tries to “censor” himself around me, like I’m a little kid. I’ve told him once that I don’t mind when he curses, but he just shrugged. I don’t know…I like more that he cares enough to try, even if it’s not necessary.

And then my smile fades completely and my brows knot. “They live in your neighborhood?”

“Not for fucking long,” Ryke says. He thinks I’m frightened by them being there—but that’s not what’s rolling around in my head.

If they live in that neighborhood, there’s a good chance those are the same guys I saw at that party. The same ones causing trouble in Superheroes & Scones. “What do you mean, not for long?”

“We called the cops,” Lo tells me. “We’ve let them off the hook a lot because…I know what a small charge can do to someone’s future. I didn’t want to get them written up for putting dog shit on our front porch.”

Ryke looks at his brother. “You did the right thing by waiting.”

Loren nods a couple times, looking as though he’s trying to believe it was the right course of action too.

“We fucking warned them,” Ryke adds.

“Yeah.” Loren nods again. “So we’re pressing charges this time around.” He motions to me. “I wanted to tell you sooner because I want to include you in my life, as much and as often as I can, okay?”

I smile. Wow. My eyes feel glassy, and I take a deep, strong breath and nod. “I’m glad.”

“Good.” Lo stands. “And you should know that some of these guys go to your new school. They shouldn’t be there anymore, but some of their friends might be. And if they give you shit, you let me know.”

I’m about to ask why they would “give me shit”—but then I realize…I’m Willow Hale to them. To everyone. To the world.