“That’s the point.” Brooke reached around me, patting her shoulder. “If what Lucy says is true, they could be in real trouble. We can’t risk getting caught.”
“But we didn’t do anything wrong.” Laura bit her lip, eyes glittering with tears. I knew just how she felt. “How do you even know they’ll figure out where to meet us?”
Brooke’s face split into a grin, kind of like her brother’s did sometimes. “Please, he’s like Bryan’s favorite part of Times Square. He talked nonstop about this guy all summer break. I think he’ll be here.”
“We’ve got to find him first.” An ache clenched in the pit of my stomach, as if I’d never see the Guardian guys again. Their terrified faces faded in and out. Lenny collapsed, Tony handing me the knife, Bryan’s bloody nose and bruised eye.
Goosebumps popped up on my arms. I cinched my leather jacket tighter around me. “They have to be okay.”
“There he is.” Brooke pointed down the block. “C’mon, girls.”
She grabbed my hand, then Laura’s, and we raced around the thick crowd like bumper cars strung together. Two blocks later, the dulcet melody finally hit me. A tourist group clapped in time to the bagpipe music.
“What is that?” Laura whispered as we huddled in. “It sounds like ‘When the Saints Go Marching In,’ but it’s hard to tell.”
“I’d never make it as a saint. Especially not after tonight.” A bitter laugh escaped my throat. “Is he the only bagpiper on Times Square?”
Brooke’s eyes went wide. “Uh-oh, I didn’t think of that. Bryan just said whenever he needed to think, he’d come here.”
“Bagpipes help him think? Kind of strange, huh?” My friend’s eyes bugged out, telling me I’d said the wrong thing. “Hey, I’m sure they’ll find us. Don’t worry.”
The music lilted around the people in front of us, calm and slightly off-key. Then the song turned somber, a haunting tune that thinned out the bright-shirted tourists until only the three of us remained.
Laura bit her lip. “What if they went to the hospital, or they got hauled in for questioning or something? It could be hours.”
“Then they would’ve texted or called us by now.” Brooke tugged her phone out of her pocket. She held it in front of Laura. “See, no messages.”
“Not if they’re in jail. They’d get only one call.” Laura’s eyes went past us, then her whole face lit up. “Wait, there they are.”
The three guys straggled towards us, Lenny limping along on Tony’s shoulder. Behind them, Bryan’s face emerged from the shadows. Something inside me snapped at the sight of him.
I let my feet run free, picking up speed until I practically barreled into his chest. I flung my arms through his unzipped bomber jacket and buried my face in his t-shirt. “I’m so happy you’re okay.”
His hand trickled down my hair, pressing me into his warm shirt. My tears finally spilled over, soaking the black cotton.
“You don’t have to worry about me, I’m not going anywhere.” His breath tingled my ear. With one rough finger, he traced my jaw until it reached my chin, tilting my face toward his. A weak smile shimmered in my watery eyes.
“I was so worried.” The words came out in a choked whisper. I reached up to wipe my eyes, but his hand stopped me.
He brushed away my tears with his fingertips. “Don’t cry, Angel. I’m just glad you’re not hurt.” His fingers laced through mine.
The butterflies swirled inside at that term of endearment. Then they crash-landed in a fiery pit. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“I’m so glad you figured out my text.” Brooke’s squeal broke us apart. She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Don’t scare me like that again. I was worried sick.”
“Sorry, sis. We’re fine.” Bryan huddled the group together, lowering his voice. “We told the cops we saw the fire from the window and rushed in to help. I think they believed us.”
“How’d you explain your injuries?” Laura wrapped her arm around Lenny’s back, propping him up.
Tony coughed. “Smoke inhalation. We said the guy was wigging out by the time we got to him, which is mostly true. They took our statements and patched us up.” The corners of his mouth arched up.
“They didn’t ask about Bryan’s black eye?” My hands flew to his face but stopped mid-air. I didn’t want to hurt him. Tears threatened again. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m pretty sure it’s not worth this. Maybe I should just go back to Indiana.”
The group burst out in protest, Bryan’s stern tone silencing the others. He snatched my hovering hand. “I don’t think so. You can’t go back to the home turf of your crazy ex. He’s a stalker. How would that be any better?”
“At least no one else would get hurt because of me. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened. To any of you.” I looked around at this amazing, ragtag group.
“Lucy, you can’t go. We need you.” Bryan squeezed my hand. Tingles zapped to my toes. “Everything’s fine now. I called a Guardian clean-up crew to tie up any loose ends.”
“Then it’s settled.” Brooke grabbed his other hand, dragging me with him. “Let’s go see the famous bagpiper you’re always raving about. You’ll feel better.”
“Good call.” Lenny stepped forward with a slight hitch in his step. “I could use something fun right about now.”
Tony shook his head as we approached the musician. “What’s so fun about a Scottish dirge?”
“I know more than that, laddie.” The bagpiper’s accent sounded half-Scottish, half-Irish. “Good to see you boys made it out okay. We’ve got a clean-up crew on the way to the church, so just pretend like you’re regular teenagers making fun of the street performer.”
I scrunched up my eyebrows and stared at him, but he just swung his pipes around. Reaching out with my mind, I asked a silent question in my head. Are we safe here? Flecks of white
