Chapter 15 · Her Phone Rings Here

I'm sitting in his car with Mara on the phone and Ethan standing ten feet away watching me through the windshield.

Mara's voice is in my ear saying my name. Charlie. She's the only person who ever called me that. The phone's hot against my cheek and I can't breathe right.

Ethan's not moving. Just standing there in the driveway with his hands loose at his sides like he's waiting for me to make the call. Leave or stay. Run or hear him out.

I should start the engine. I should get the hell out.

But Mara said don't trust him and she's alive and none of this makes sense.

"Charlie, you still there?" Mara's voice cracks a little. She sounds tired. Scared maybe.

"Where are you?" My voice comes out flat. I don't even recognize it.

"I can't—look, I can't say much. Are you with him right now?"

I glance up. Ethan hasn't moved. His face is in shadow but I can see the line of his shoulders, the way he's holding himself like he's bracing for something.

"Yeah."

"Shit. Charlie, listen to me. Get away from him. I know you probably think—"

"He said he cleaned your apartment."