I called Carter again, but just like before, he didn’t answer. My chest tightened as I stared at my phone. Why did this make me so nervous? I knew he was with Emily—maybe something had happened, and she needed his help. But still… there was no reason for him to ignore me.
I told myself, over and over again, that there was a reasonable explanation for everything. Carter wouldn’t just ignore me for no reason, especially not to spend time with Emily behind my back. Emily—my best friend. Carter’s ex.
“Stop overthinking,” I muttered to myself. “It’s nothing.”
But my gut refused to believe it.
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The cab driver dropped me off at the side of the road, and I had to walk the rest of the way on foot. The path leading to Elthon Hillside was quiet and shaded, weaving through the dense forest. Th
