Fumes were her only fuel. By the time her sister came back from her solitary confinement to report her findings, Cadence was mere moments from dropping like a fly. Now would’ve been one of those times when a taste for coffee probably would’ve been helpful since her hot chocolate just wasn’t cutting it pep wise. Cassidy came in carrying a bottle of Dr. Pepper, and Cadence envied her sister’s more caffeinated choice as Brandon pulled out his girlfriend’s chair like a true gentleman.

“How did it go?” Aaron’s voice seemed calm, but the fact that he was tapping his pen on the table let Cadence know he was just as...