Ollie casually climbed out of his Charger, sporting his nice jeans and gray t-shirt. His golden strands stood out underneath the setting sun and all but gleamed their shine in my direction. He pulled his hat on backwards, and my heart jumped. I liked the preppy, school-boy look he sported at school, especially when he took off his school jacket and rolled up his sleeves, but this look was even better. He went from sophisticated prep student with a dazzling smile to a bad boy in three seconds flat.
“Is he going to tell Tank he has the rest of the money? And that tonight will be the last race?”
Christian turned and glanced at Hayley, shrugging. “I’m not sure. He has been pretty secretive lately.” Christian angled his sharp jaw in my direction. “Do you know what’s going on with him?”
The nerves were back. My stomach was queasy. “No. He just kept telling me that everything was handled.”
Christian’s eyes grew darker. Something was up. I could feel it in the air. It was tight and full of unanswered questions.
I bounced my attention between Ollie, Tank, and my brothe
r. Tank seemed completely unbothered by whatever Ollie was saying, even patting him on the back with a slimy smile. Weird. My brother stood back, observing the two, but when I saw him catch Ollie’s eye, he nodded—just barely, but I noticed it.
“Something isn’t right,” I mumbled under my breath.
Hayley’s voice was low. “I know. I can feel it, too. I’ve got a knack for these things.”
My thoughts were all over the place. I trusted Ollie. I did. I thought I always had, but he was off. I knew it. Yesterday, in the library, I sensed something wasn’t right with him, but instead of pushing it, I let it go.
And if I knew anything about Ollie, it was that he was awfully good at looking okay on the outside when he wasn’t on the inside.
As soon as he was finished talking to Tank, he made his way over to us. A few people close by were watching us, probably because we all stood out, being from English Prep, but I ignored them when Ollie appeared.
“Everything good?” Christian pulled Hayley in close, draping his arms around the front of her body.
Ollie didn’t say anything. Instead, he stood in front of me and stared with a tight jaw.
“Ollie? What did Tank say? Did you tell him this was the last race? Did you give him the money we got from the party? Is Jason good to go?” I was rambling. Something felt wrong. I looked past Ollie’s shoulder, seeing Jason still standing beside Tank, looking even more nervous. His thumb was pulled into his mouth as he gnawed on his nail.
“No. I haven’t told him anything yet.” Ollie's voice was curt, unlike him.
I took a step closer, canceling out the chaos around us. “What’s going on?” My legs were wobbling, the ground suddenly unsteady underneath me.
His Adam’s apple bobbed before he forced the words out. “I’m sorry.”
I felt stripped. “Ollie.”
His eyes were like glass as he looked away. “You know I care about you, right?”
My hand wrapped around his sturdy chin, and I forced him to look at me. My breath was stolen from my chest when we locked eyes. Ollie was upset. Sad. Broken. Worried. It was like I was looking into a mirror.
“What’s going on?”
“Answer me,” he demanded.
“Of course I know you care about me.” I gestured to the races behind his back. “Look at where we are. You're here because of me.” Ollie brought his forehead down to mine as I heard a car start up behind us. I knew he was up next. The final race. He assured me that it wasn’t a hard one and that Tank actually wanted him to win this one to show people that last week wasn’t a cheat, but of course, I knew it was.
“Just remember that, okay? Remember I’d do anything for you. I’d do anything to keep you safe and out of harm's way.”
Ollie’s arms wrapped around me, and it felt like a warm blanket draping over my body. For a second, I let myself fall into his grasp, relishing in the calmness I felt with him being so close, but then he pulled away, and I was torn in half.
“You’re not okay. Something is wrong. And I know Jason knows something, too. I can tell.”
Ollie ignored me, but I kept a hold on his hand. He glanced at Christian. “Get her out of here when shit hits the fan.”
“What?” I shouted. “No! I’m not going anywhere without you.”
Ollie wouldn't look at me.