Prologue
I dial Jumper’s number for the third time. When it goes to voicemail, I growl. It’s just like the jackass to stand us up. Crux, Tobin, Jumper, and I all had plans to go to Sapp’s Coffee Shop for breakfast, but it was two now, and I’d heard nothing from him all day. I stretch and yawn. If I’d known he was going to flake, I would have slept in.
“Becca, mail for you,” Andy says, grinning and tossing me a handful of college packets. I don’t order them, he does. I flip through them. “Northwestern? You think the four of us are going to Illinois?” I raise a brow.
“I don’t care where you go, as long as you don’t end up a statistic,” my brother grumbles. “Where are dumb and dumber?”
“Making food with Adina,” I nod toward the kitchen.
“I know they are your Tethers, but look at me and Adina… we waited, and we survived. You don’t have to rush things. Go to school first, Becca. Claim one another later. Real love can stand still for five minutes.” Andy stands and leaves me with that.
I grab my phone and call Jumper again. When it goes to voicemail this time, I leave him a quick voice message. “Thanks for canceling, drummerboy. Next time, actually let me know you aren’t showing.”
My phone rings as soon as I hang up. Thinking it’s Jumper finally calling, I answer.
“Hello, shit-for-brains–” I start.
Lilah cuts me off. “Is he with you!?”
“Is who with me?” I ask.
“Jump. Is Jump with you?” she asks, tension high in her voice.
I shake my head, though she can’t see it. “No. He’s not with me. He stood me up this morning.”
“When did you last talk to him?” Lilah asks quickly.
“Two days ago,” I answer with my heart racing. I just know something is wrong.
“He’s missing, Becca. Jump is missing. No one has seen him in two days,” Lilah sobs.
(covers link to Goodreads)
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