GREY

"Okay, Jac, spill it," I ordered as soon as English was over and we'd filed into the hallway.

Dash shot me a look.

"I mean...whenever you're ready, bro."

Jacquarious gulped. "I think Cody's sister Casey is being abused."

I froze mid-step, Dash and Brayden grinding to a halt as well. "Come again?"

He sighed. "I've seen this kind of thing before. One of my cousins was dating this guy—he had everybody fooled like he was this...this total catch. But at one of our family Christmas dinners, I saw a bruise on her neck when she hugged me." His eyes fell to the floor. "And Cody's sister, she had a bruise when Cody and I went to see her yesterday. And she seemed...scared. Just like my cousin was. Scared to talk, scared to be too open, scared to let anyone find out."

"Dude..." Brayden gaped, taking a step closer to Jacquarious. "That's—that's terrifying."

"If you're right about this," Dash said, "we have to do something." He turned to me and glared again. "And you owe Cody a massive apology."

I glanced away. "Yeah, I know. I feel like a total douchebag, alright?" I tilted my head toward Jacquarious. "You've got a plan, right? You've seen this kind of thing before, so you know how to stop it, yeah?"

He gave a low exhale. "It's...not always that easy. We don't know how long this has been going—or what safeguards the guy has in place to make sure he doesn't get caught. We can't just go in there pointing fingers...again."

My breath hitched. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I went overboard last time. You guys don't have to keep reminding me every five sec—"

"I didn't mean you," Jacquarious said.

I raised an eyebrow. "What? Then who?"

"Cody," Jacquarious sighed. "He's the one keeping this a secret. And I'm guessing that's 'cause he's already tried telling people—maybe even confronting Casey's boyfriend. No way a guy like Cody hasn't tried the direct approach by now."

Brayden shifted next to me. "And what, Casey's boyfriend is just too smart to get caught?"

Jacquarious shook his head. "Not necessarily. He might just be too special, too unique, too much of a 'dream come true,' as it were."

Huh? "Dream come true? What does that even mean?"

"It's...complicated. But after yesterday, I'm guessing Casey's never dated a guy like this before; and I'm guessing her family knows that too. But they're okay with it—in fact, they're probably more than okay with it. Maybe he's an heir to some wealthy company, or maybe he's related to one of the Ashfords' 'exotic' best friends. There's something different about this guy, like he's too perfect and just walked out of a storybook. And whatever it is, it's enough to make the family ignore all the warning signs with Casey."

Dash growled. "So then what do we do?"

Jacquarious gave us all a sobering stare. "We get him to let us in."

"Okay," I offered, "but how? If what you said is true and Cody already tried the direct approach, won't this guy be super guarded around Cody's friends?"

"Leave that to me," Jacquarious said. "I think I know how to make it work. If we go back to Casey's when we know he's there, I can get him to let me in and—"

"What? How? The guy barely even knows you."

"Grey," Dash barked. "Let him talk."

I sighed, lowering my head. "Sorry."

"It's fine." Jacquarious rested a hand on my shoulder, his eyes soft but darkening. "Just...trust me on this, guys. Casey's boyfriend isn't the only 'fairytale' in this town." He gave a low sigh.

I nodded. "Whatever you need, man. We're here to help—right, guys?"

Dash and Brayden nodded in unison.

"Then let's meet up after school. If everything goes according to plan, I think we can stop Casey's boyfriend andclear Cody's name."

"Aye Aye, Captain," I managed, offering a weak half-smile as I turned to trek toward my second period with Dash and Brayden.

Jacquarious waved once, then trotted off toward the school gymnasium.

I cocked my head toward the guys. "Uh...why's he headed to the gym? Now that he's trying out for the basketball team, wouldn't he be reassigned to seventh-period athletics like the rest of us?" I paused, tilting further as Jacquarious's frame got smaller and smaller before disappearing around a corner. "Where's he even going?"

"Grey!" Dash grabbed my arm. "Wherever he's going is none of your business. You and Brayden have Pre-Cal in two minutes; get to class." He shoved me toward Brayden, then lumbered off with one final angry glare, his warning clear.

The moment Dash was out of earshot, Brayden chuckled. "Want me to tell Mrs. Fegan you'll be running late?"

A naughty grin rode up the side of my face. "You're a lifesaver, bro." I darted back down the hall, ducking around the sideway where Dash had veered off on his path to American History, then skidded to a stop right before the corner where Jacquarious had absconded—the look of determination on his face pure and unmistakable.

I peered around the wall, white knuckles gripping at the pointed edge.

Standing in the shadow of one of the high-rise vending machines, Jacquarious Whelan whispered into his phone with furrowed brows:

"Sorry..." His plea was soft and unassuming. "I know this probably isn't a good time."

I craned my neck closer, narrowing both eyes.

"You said to call if I ever need anything—well...I think I need something."