Every Little Piece - By Kate Ashton Page 0,22

predictions and passing showers,” Kama stated.

I pulled into the empty parking lot and slammed on the brakes. It had been originally built as a lookout point but over the years it had turned into more of a make-out spot. Fog surrounded us like a thick wool blanket. Visibility was at zero. Never mind trying to spot a car twenty feet away.

“I’ll be right back.” I opened the door and made a run for it. The gravel dug through my thin-soled sneakers and rain pelted my face. I sprinted the length of the lot, praying for the sight of his mom’s minivan. But there was no one here. “Dammit. Where are you?”

I raced back to the car and climbed in. Water dripped everywhere. It ran in streams down my arms and back.

Brin squealed. “You’re soaked!”

“No kidding.” I slammed my hand against the wheel. “Where to now? Think. Where would Seth go?”

We sat in silence, the swish of the rain surrounding us like we were the only ones alive. Where would Seth go? Where would he go with a girl? I really didn’t think he was planning on cheating on me. But he might’ve wanted to flirt and show off. “Got it.”

I moved the car into gear and went in reverse, the wheels spinning and spitting out gravel.

“Where to next?” Brin asked.

I pulled out of the lot and drove like a mad woman. “Where’s the one place Seth might bring a girl to impress her or show off.”

“The pool hall,” they said in unison.

I headed back to our town. “I didn’t realize he was so drunk. I mean, I knew, but…” The words stalled and died. That it was graduation night and for some reason that made it more acceptable to drink. Because that was a horrible reason. “I don’t want to find his car wrapped around a pole.”

“We’ll find him.” Brin stated with a confidence that escaped me.

“What’s that?” Kama asked. “Shh. Listen.”

It was hard to hear over the rain but then I heard it. Sirens blared off in the not-so-far distance. My imagination sped forward, and I imagined Seth crushed in an accident. “Shit.” My heart raced, and I pressed the gas harder. The Beast groaned, and the wheels spun, sending the car into a tailspin.

I slammed on the brakes but it sent the car careening off to the side. I lost complete control as the wheels hydroplaned. And then we were spinning.

I heard screams. The colors blurred outside.

I whipped at the wheel and hit the brakes again and again. But the car didn’t stop. A horn blared and headlights bore down on us. I closed my eyes and braced for impact. We got hit from the side. The car shuddered. Metal crunched. Tires squealed. My stomach turned as the car flipped upside down.

I rolled onto my side with a pounding headache and groaned. Somehow I’d ended up at home and had managed to stumble up to my room and fall in bed. My clothes were wrinkled and reeked of beer and smoke. I pulled the pillow over my head. Images from last night seared my brain, hot and pulsing. I remembered Haley’s face when I spit out insults that hurt her feelings. Guilt and regret needled me, and the urge to puke built in my throat.

My memory came back in pieces. Angry words. Pulling away. Storming off. Scenes played out like a movie in my head. I’d tripped up the stairs and went back to the party. Carly had talked to me. We’d walked down the driveway toward my car. Oh my God. Had I left with her?

My fingers curled around my sheets. The truth was like a vice grip. Was I like my mom? A cheat? I wanted the earth to crack open and swallow me. I needed coffee and aspirin.

The downstairs was strangely silent.

“Mom? Dad?” I called. The words didn’t bring any response. “Anyone here?”

I found a note on the table.

Last minute errand. Be back soon. We’ll talk later about the van.

Shit. What I’d do? Leave it on empty? That always pissed Mom off.

I poured some coffee and slumped down at the table with Mom’s iPad to play some stupid mind-numbing game. I switched over to her webmail but it was signed out, and I didn’t know the password. Mom was a lunatic about passwords and changed them every month. But that made sense now, if she’d been hiding an affair with Carly’s dad for the past four months or longer. I pushed away from the table.