Side Chick by Force

"Lydia, they already booked the room. They'll be here tonight. When the time comes, we'll catch them red-handed!"

Felicity's voice was sharp enough to knock me sideways—I literally stumbled into the wall.

Clutching my head, I froze. Same hotel. Same hallway. Same moment. I was back.

She leaned in, all concerned. "What's wrong? You sick?"

I spotted the room key in her hand and yanked it. "Hold on."

Headed straight to the front desk and switched rooms—put two doors between us and Room 009.

Felicity frowned. Said being closer made it easier to spy.

Yeah, well. I wasn't about to say, 'Time rewound and I just crawled out of death.' Even I wouldn't buy that.

Looking back, I figured Jake hit the wrong room. Both were too close. Felicity probably left, came back, and saw me with him. That was when she snapped.

Putting distance between us had to work.

I shrugged. "That room number's cursed. Bad vibe."

Still fuming about the cheating, she didn't question a thing. She laid out the plan again, ranting about that "other girl." "When I find her, I'll stab her."

A cold shiver slid down my spine. Last time, she actually did—over and over.

I pressed a hand to my stomach. It still felt weirdly sore.

She bumped my arm. "Why are you so out of it? You hiding something?"

I blinked hard and shook my head. "No. I'm just exhausted."

She softened. "I'm sorry. This is my fault. There's still time—go rest."

I snapped to attention. "No way. This matters. I'm staying."

Chugged a coffee until the fog in my head cleared.

Felicity got all teary, swearing we'd be besties for life and Jake was as good as gone.

We talked while heading into the room.

But a few lines in, my vision blurred. Her voice fizzled into static. That same crushing drowsiness hit me like a wave.

I pinched my thigh—sharp pain, brief clarity.

I grabbed her shoulders. "Felicity, get me out of here. Something's off. This room—it's making me tired. We're being set up. Please—"

The dizziness slammed down.

She tilted her head. "Huh? What are you saying? Your lips are moving but nothing's coming out. Are you just tired? Sleep a bit. We've got time. I'll wake you."

Then—black.

When I opened my eyes, a guy was next to me.

And Felicity burst in all over again.