Chapter 4

Andie could hear muffled voices downstairs as she forced away the fogbank of sleepiness that kept trying to drag her under. Blinking, her eyes fixed on the digital clock beside the twin bed she occupied. Her eyes widened: 10:24.

If the sunshine outside was any form of an indicator, it was safe to assume it was morning.

Sarah would be freaking out. She had probably called the police.

She sat up in bed, turning her head to the door. Was that who Tuck was talking to? Had the police found her so soon?

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood on shaky legs. She forced herself to take the five steps to the corner of the room where she had tossed her gym bag hours earlier. She rifled through it and quickly changed into a pair of denim cutoffs and a simple white tank top. She glanced at herself in the mirror and stared.

Who was that girl?

She barely recognized the pale face, the dark circles under the wide eyes. She needed a shower, but it would have to wait. She scraped her hair into a messy ponytail and reached for her deodorant, grateful she remembered to pack it.

With a sigh, Andie headed out of the room and tripped lightly down the stairs.

"Dammit, Tuck," an angry voice hissed, "you can't just keep her here."

"What the hell else am I supposed to do?" Tuck demanded hotly, his back to Andie as she slowly descended. "You didn't see her last night. She's way too—"

The step groaned loudly, alerting the occupants of the room to her presence. Three sets of eyes turned to her.

Missy moved first, relief clear on her face. "Jesus, Andie!" She cried, throwing her arms around her friend. "What the hell, man? You can't jus' take off like that an' not tell anyone!"

"Sorry," Andie muttered, not returning the hug. She fixed Tuck with an accusing glare.

Tuck read her expression and held up his hand, defenseless. "Hey, they figured out you were here. Don't go blamin' me."

Andie looked at the last person in the room as Missy stepped back. "Hey, Felicia."

Felicia eyed Andie critically, not making a move to go to her. "You OK?"

Andie shrugged. "Been better." She turned to Missy. "How'd you find me?"

Missy rolled her eyes, flipping her curly hair over a shoulder. "Your boy, Chase, called me at like three in the morning. 'Course when I called Tuck he lied and said you wasn't here." She tossed her former crew member an angry look.

Tuck snorted and shook his head. "Andie, I'll be outside." He pivoted and headed out through the kitchen for the backyard.

"It was Felicia here who figured out you came here, though," Missy went on, undaunted. "She said you'd come here. Called me after she came here last night and found you sleepin' upstairs."

Andie's head swung in Felicia's direction. "You came here last night?"

"Wasn't that hard to figure out," Felicia replied coolly, her expression unreadable.

Andie shifted, nervous. "You guys told anyone I'm here?"

Felicia's gaze narrowed. "No, Andie, we haven't ratted you out."

Andie's jaw dropped open and she realized her mistake. "No, Fe, I didn't mean it like that …"

"Then how did you mean it?" Felicia demanded, crossing her arms over her chest.

Missy's eyes darted back and forth between them, nervous. "Why don't y'all take it easy," she suggested softly. She put a gentle hand on Andie's arm. "We haven't told anyone you're here, D, but Sarah and Chase are flippin' out. They're crazy worried. You gotta call 'em, tell 'em what's up."

Sighing, Andie dropped onto the couch. The old cushions sagged under her weight, engulfing her. "I know, I know. And I will."

Missy looked hesitantly at her watch. "Look, I gotta bounce. Ma's having abuela over for dinner and I'm supposed to help her clean up."

Andie nodded. "It's cool. I'm fine."

Missy looked down at her, hands planted on her narrow hips. "No, chica, you anything but all right. You need to call your boy, and call Sarah. Then call me." She flashed her friend a winning smirk and turned to leave.

She paused and glanced back at Felicia. "Do I need to tell Tuck to get back in here? 'Cause he's gonna be pissed if you two get blood everywhere."

Felicia rolled her eyes. "We're fine, Missy." She waited until the Latina sashayed out of the room before moving. She sat down on the coffee table, perching precariously on the edge, her knees almost touching Andie's.

Andie lifted her eyes slowly, nervous. "How'd you find me?"

Felicia snorted, amused. "Please, girl. Soon as Missy called me, I knew your ass was here."

The younger girl tilted her head to the side. "You did?"

"Remember the night your mom died?" Felicia reminded her, her tone soft.

Andie flinched visibly at the reminder. So many things had changed that night.

"No one could find you after you left the hospital. Tuck came home and found you sleepin' on the couch." Felicia shook her head ruefully. "He's your safe place, D. You always run to Tuck when you get scared."

Andie fixed her eyes on a spot behind Felicia, neither confirming nor denying.

"There's something Tuck gives you that you need, D," Felicia went on. "Something he's got that no one else has—"

Andie's eyes snapped back to the face in front of her. "It isn't like that with me and Tuck," she retorted. "He's my friend."

"Funny that you go running to your friend and not your boyfriend when things get tough," Felicia shot back, amused. "Does Chase even know where you are?"

Andie's jaw clenched and she stood up abruptly, walking away from Felicia.

Felicia chuckled softly under her breath. "I didn't think so."

"It's really not what you think, Fe," Andie muttered. "It's not that I don't trust Chase, it's just that … he doesn't get it."

"But Tuck does?"

Andie shot her a scathing glare. "You don't understand."

"Then explain it to me, Andie." Felicia stood up and spread her arms wide, waiting for a response. "Tell me what's going on."

Andie looked down. "I can't."

"Can't? Or won't?" Felicia asked pointedly.

Andie didn't know what to say. She knew the answer—they both did—but she couldn't forced the words out of her throat.

"Well, there you have it," Felicia said slowly, sadly, as she shook her head. "You need to wrap your head around this thing and figure it out. You ain't a kid no more. You can't hide forever."

Andie was still staring at the floor as Felicia brushed past her. She heard the door open and close loudly a moment later.

She didn't know how long she had been standing there when Tuck came back into the room.

"I messed up," Andie finally spoke, quiet.

Tuck shrugged and sat down on the couch, waiting.

Her head came up. "I need to go." She was already heading towards the stairs for her bag as Tuck scrambled to follow.

"Go where?" he demanded, chasing her into her room.

Andie threw her belongings back into the bag she had brought carelessly, rushed. "I have to go back. Felicia's right—this isn't fixing anything."

Tuck nodded slowly, watching her tug at the zipper frantically. He came to her and took the bag from her, closing it easily and handing it back. "I think you're right."

She pushed her bangs off her face. "Thanks for letting me crash here, Tuck."

"Anytime."

She slung the bag over her shoulder and headed for the door.

"Where ya gonna go?"

Andie stopped in the doorway and turned. "I need to call Sarah, and I need to find Chase. He's probably freaking out right now." She bit her lower lip, a nervous habit she'd acquired as a child.

Tuck sighed and rolled his eyes to the ceiling.

"I know you don't like Chase, but he's a good guy, Tuck," Andie said softly. "He makes me happy."

"You gonna tell him the truth?"

She hesitated, scared. "I don't know. Maybe. If I do, I know I can trust him."

Tuck nodded, silent for the moment.

Andie drummed her fingers on the doorframe. "Thanks again." She forced a faint smile on her lips and started to turn.

"Wait."

She did, arching an eyebrow.

Tuck sighed again, louder, and scrubbed a hand over his face. "Need a ride?"