Steer: Shadow went inside.

“Godfuckingdammit! I told that motherfucker to stay outside.”

I warn the rest of them to stay put.

A few minutes later, a girl runs out the front door, gets into a red sedan, and speeds off. “That’s not ominous or anything,” Teller says, watching the car until it disappears around the bend.

“I can’t see shit,” Murphy says in a low voice.

“Me either.”

My phone goes off again.

Shadow: They’re not here yet.

Me: Get your ass outside.

Shadow: ??? I am.

Who’s lying? Steer or Shadow? I don’t want to let my dislike and distrust of Shadow cloud my judgment. But I have no reason not to believe Steer.

Sensing my dilemma, Teller touches my shoulder. “I’ll go check.”

“Don’t.”

He lifts his chin. “Rooster and Jigsaw should be right up there. If I don’t see anyone, I’ll come right back.”

Murphy scowls at Teller as he creeps along the side of the building.

“Let’s go.” I jerk my chin toward the direction Teller just went. Hiding out behind the fucking dumpster all night doesn’t exactly make me a good president or brother.

Teller grins at me when we reach his side. “Jesus, Dad. I wasn’t gone long.”

“Don’t start that Dad shit with me like you two do to Rock.”

“I didn’t say a word.” Murphy smirks at me. “Dad.”

“Asshole.” I search the area behind the bowling area. A large field of grass leading into a more heavily wooded area. Plenty of places to hide.

“Come to join our party?” Jigsaw asks.

“Some party,” I answer without taking my eyes off the tree line.

“The place is dead inside,” Rooster says.

There’s a small shed a few feet away. I motion the guys to move over to it so there’s something between the woods and us. “You went in?”

“No.” He points toward the open windows in the back. “This place is noisy as fuck when the lanes are open and in use.”

He’s right. Other than the steady beat of music, there are no other sounds.

A metallic bang inside the building draws our attention toward the back door.

Finally, a text from Steer shows up.

Steer: Hustler’s with me. I still don’t see Shadow.

I give him our location and wait for them to meet us.

“They lost sight of Shadow.” I sweep the area again, but nothing stands out. “He said he was out here.”

All of our phones buzz.

Shadow: I’m down. Right inside back door.

Fuck me.

Me: We’re coming.

I turn to Rooster and Jigsaw. “Tell Grip to get ready. Stay here and watch our backs.” Teller and Murphy follow me to the building. Halfway there, we run into Steer and Hustler. “What the fuck?” I keep my voice low, but my irritation comes through clearly. “How’d you lose sight of Shadow?”