Oh God! Sarah frowned. Whatever it was she wasn’t letting Valerie get her all worked up. Sarah knew in her heart of hearts Angel would never do anything he knew would upset her. Still, she couldn’t help wondering why she hadn’t heard from him at all last night and still hadn’t this morning. She responded with three words.

No and No.

Instead of texting back, Valerie was calling now. Sarah asked Leonardo if he wanted to wait or if he’d rather call back, but she had to take the call. He opted to wait, so she picked up the phone and walked away from her desk.

“What’s up?” she asked cautiously, trying not to sound worried.

“Okay, from what I’m hearing, the whole team is in deep shit right now,” Valerie started without so much of a hello. “They were supposed to be in bed early last night, but instead they all decided to go to a hotel party thrown by someone on the Hawaii team. First of all, how stupid is that? Like there wouldn’t be an inevitable fight?”

“Was there a fight?” Sarah asked, already feeling alarmed.

“Of course!” Valerie huffed. “I don’t know who fought or what. All I know is the cops were called and the guys on the team were released to the coach so no one was arrested, but are you ready for this?”

Sarah braced herself. “What?”

“The party was thrown by none other than Dana and her stupid friends, and before you ask, yes, there are photos of her and Alex and Angel and a bunch of the other guys on the team all over her and her idiot friend’s Facebook pages, but, of course, the ones of her and Angel were the first ones she posted.” Sarah could hear the venom in Valerie’s words, but she couldn’t blame her. Sarah was beginning to feel a little pissed especially given the fact that Angel hadn’t bothered to call or even text her last night. “There’s also a few disgusting ones of Alex with two whores on his lap, and he looks to be having a good ole time. I swear, Sarah . . .” Her voice finally broke, and Sarah’s heart went out to her.

Sarah hadn’t even seen any of the photos, and already she felt hurt that Angel would pose for them, knowing full well how she felt about Dana. Valerie had seen photos of Alex with girls on his lap. “Valerie hon,” she began.

She heard Valerie inhale loudly, and she cleared her throat. “No. I’m done, Sarah. He’s probably over there screwing every one of those whores who’d gladly spread their legs for him. Do you know what he said to me yesterday when I went to see him off?” She paused but didn’t wait for Sarah to ask and Sarah didn’t. She could already tell Valerie was going off on one of her tangents, the ones only Alex ever brought out of her. “He told me he missed me already and that he wished I were going with him. Ever since Max’s party, he’s been such a sweetheart. I actually believed him. I’m so stupid.” Her voice started to break again, but she held it together. “Anyway, I’m still going to Havasu with Monica. She’s just watching her older brother while her mom gets a few more hours of sleep. She worked last night and her brother’s autistic. He can’t be left alone, but as soon as her mother is up, we’re out. Are you still staying home with your paper?”

A million questions assaulted Sarah all at once. Why hadn’t Angel called or even texted her last night? Why hadn’t he called this morning? Were there any sickening photos of him and Dana or any of those other whores? Would he be hanging out with them again today—tomorrow? It all came down to one thing—the only thing that calmed her—Angel wouldn’t do this to her. She knew him too well.

Knowing Valerie was in near tears and there was no denying the photos of Alex with not one but two girls on his lap, she wouldn’t tell Valerie what she was thinking. She was certain Angel had a good explanation for being at Dana’s party and not bothering to call her. As much as it did stir the bubbles beginning to suds in her belly, Angel deserved the benefit of the doubt.

“Havasu does sound like fun,” she said, trying to sound as if she were actually considering it, “but, yeah, I still have to work on that paper.”

Valerie was quiet for too long, and Sarah wondered if she was crying or maybe mad at her for not wanting to go. “Val?”

“Hmm?”

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” she said, but she sounded distracted.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“About your paper? Yes, I heard you. I’m just. . . Ugh!!” she said suddenly. “I should just stop looking already. The more photos I see of him, the more I wanna fling this f**king iPad across the room.”

“Well, then stop,” Sarah said firmly. “Don’t let those sluts make you wreck your own iPad.”

“I am,” Valerie said. “I’m stopping right now, and not to get you all riled, but there are more of Angel and Dana this time. It’s like that bitch realized last year she should’ve gotten more than that one she posted all over all year, so she made up for it this time. But if it’s any consolation, he doesn’t look all smug and comfortable like he’s enjoying every moment of it the way Alex does.” She exhaled dramatically again. “That’s it. I’m done looking at these, especially because, from what I’m reading, that was just the pre-party. The real partying starts tonight. I’m not looking at my Facebook page until the weekend is over.” She laughed suddenly then added. “Who am I kidding, right? But at least I’ll be doing some partying of my own. I’m gonna jump in the shower now and get ready. In case you change your mind, we’re not leaving for another couple of hours, so let me know.”