We were halfway to his car when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I didn’t need to check the screen to know who it was.

I sighed, answering. “Hi, Mum.”

“Evie, where are you?”

“Uh… with Ryder.”

A pause. “At this time?”

“He’s dropping me off.”

“Dropping you off where?”

I glanced at him as he opened the passenger door for me.

I muttered, “His place.”

“Evie,” her voice went sharper. “Are you seriously—?”

“Just for the night,” I said quickly. “Something happened, okay? It’s not—Ryder’s just being careful. Someone trashed my locker.”

There was silence on the other end. I could hear the frown through the phone.

I held...