Page 64 of Like You Know

Thank fuck for my best friends. They were the only constant in my life. The only people I could truly rely on.

“I’m gonna head back to my place,” I announced, getting to my feet. I appreciated them more than they’d ever know, but seeing them all just ...betogether was starting to get overwhelming.

Seven frowns were aimed my way, but it was Richard who spoke. “I insist that you stay with us, Amaya. We want to support you. We want you here.”

I gave him a brittle smile. “I know. I will. I just want to go pack some things and ...” I cleared my throat. “Honestly, I just need a bit of time alone.”

Thankfully, no one insisted they come with me, but Donna did drive me home. It may have technically been next door, but both our properties were huge, and it would’ve taken me a good twenty minutes on foot.

The house was deathly silent when I let myself in. Maybe I was just being dramatic, but it felt empty—barren—in a way it never had. Not even when Mom would disappear on days-long benders.

Two champagne flutes rested on the console table in the foyer, a small bit of flat champagne still sitting at the bottom of one. Mom and Calvin must’ve had a drink before leaving last night. The other glass had her favorite shade of pink lipstick on the rim.

I picked it up and stared at the imprint of her lips on the glass.

Then I threw it against the wall with a pained, frustrated growl. It shattered, the jagged pieces tinkling on the marble floor.

Everything about this wastotal fucking bullshit. Angry tears stabbed at my eyes as I jogged up the stairs. It was so unfair.

Movement out of the corner of my eye made me freeze at the top of the staircase. I swiped away my tears so I could see properly and nearly called out.

Don’t be a fucking horror movie bimbo, Amaya.

Whatever had moved was in the general area of my mom’s bedroom. And I knew for a fact she wasn’t in there. The smart thing to do would be to go downstairs and get the hell out of this house. I’d come back with someone later—maybe a whole group of someones. Hell, I could get Drew and the entire football team down here if I really wanted to.

But before I could do exactly that, a head peeked out from behind the door to Mom’s bedroom. When he spotted me, Calvin came fully out into the open.

“Amaya! Thank god!” He tucked something into his belt as he rushed toward me.

That was a gun. I’d seen enough of them to know that was a damn gun.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I yelled. I didn’t know why—it wasn’t as though any of my neighbors’ houses were close enough to hear me scream as I got murdered.

His steps faltered—he genuinely looked confused. I saw my opportunity and ran back down the stairs.

“Amaya!” he called after me.

I didn’t turn to check if he was chasing me. I just ran for the front door. I flipped the lock, grabbed the handle, and yanked. It opened an inch before Calvin caught up and slammed it closed again, and I screamed.

He backed up, hands held up in front of him, eyes wide. “Amaya. Amaya! I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Then why the fuck did you chase me down the stairs?” I screeched.

“Because I need to talk to you. I’m trying to keep you safe.” He glanced out the window next to the door.

“Oh, like you kept Mom safe?” I gritted out, breathing hard. Now that flight was no longer an option, my body seemed to be preparing for fight. Too bad there was nothing close by I could use as a weapon. I’d just knee him in the balls.

But Calvin deflated before my eyes, his shoulders slumping and his head falling to his chest as he stumbled backward—away from me. He leaned heavily on the banister.

I glanced at the door. This was my chance to run, but ... was he crying? His shoulders shook, and when he wiped at his cheeks with the back of his hand, I realized he was indeed crying.

“I didn’t think she’d go this far,” he said under his breath, but I still heard him.

“Who? Mom?” I took a step closer, no longer interested in running away. Not if he could tell me something about where my mom was. “Where’s Mom? I know you know.”

He looked at me with a devastated expression. “I swear I don’t. I wish I did.”

“You have to know something,” I spat. “You’re Raine’s son, aren’t you? You run illegal shit for her. Don’t deny it. I saw you with Shady. BestLyf took my mom, and you’re going to tell me where the fuck they took her so I can get her back.”