As we crept around the side of the building and into the alley, Jamie threw a hand out to stop me.

“What?” I whispered.

He glanced behind his shoulder before answering. “If we get caught, we tell them the truth.”

My eyebrows knitted together. “But we agreed to lie!”

“Well, yeah, I know. But I was thinking about it, and it’s just going to come out at some point or another. So why not get it over with?”

“I was under the impression that we weren’t planning on getting caught,” I said, huffing.

He rolled his eyes. “There’s always a chance we do. Best to be prepared.”

“Oh my god, let’s go, Jamie. I’m not going to stand here and make up hypothetical scenarios with you.” I pushed past him, a breeze ruffling my hair. I heard Jamie shuffle forward, following.

Not looking back, I continued forward, moving along the brick wall until I reached the door.

I peeled back my sleeve and read the time on my watch. After waiting thirty seconds, I grasped the handle of the door with my gloved hand and yanked on it. It didn’t budge.

I rolled my eyes again. _Can’t anyone do their job? _

Jamie peered over my shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“Door’s locked. Yasmeen was supposed to have it open.” This threw a really big wrench in our plans. This was a steel door equipped with the most secure locks you could ever find on the market.

Essentially, Jamie and I weren’t the ones that were supposed have to gotten it open.

As if she’d been waiting for us to get to the door, my earpiece crackled and Yasmeen’s voice came through. “Benji, I’m so sorry, I got distracted and forgot about the mission.”

Seething, I bit out, “Yasmeen, what the hell? Where are you?”

Jamie gave me a questioning look. I pointed to my earpiece.

“I’m at work. Some of us actually have to show up to keep our jobs, you know. I told you last week I didn’t know if I could do it today. Again, I’m really sorry, I’ll try to make it up to you next time.”

“There won’t be a next time. This was my last chance.”

“What are you talking about?”

I let out a deep sigh. “The boss said if I couldn’t do this job then I’m out.”

“Benji, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.”

“Look, what’s done is done.”

The door banged open against the wall, sending me and Jamie jumping backwards, startled.

I blinked.

Of course. Of course he got here ahead of us.

He stood there in the doorway, heavily tattooed arms crossed, a look of disappointment taking up residence in his expression.

Looking from me to Jamie, and then back to me, he shook his head.

“This was your last shot, Benji. In the real world, I can’t be here to save you. You need to figure out how to do what you need to do to get the job done.”

Protesting, I exclaimed, “But it’s not my fault! Yasmeen—“

He cut me off. “And most importantly, you have learn how to take responsibility for your actions. You can’t pull a job when part of your team isn’t even available.”

“But—“ I stopped on my own that time. He was right. I was doing nothing but blaming other people. It happened, it’s in the past, I can’t change it. “Okay.”

I swallowed, looking at Jamie, who was standing up straighter than I’d ever seen him stand, and was doing his best to appear professional.

“I’ll plan it better next time. Give me another chance. Just one more, Dad. Please.”

He stared at me, face unreadable. “On one condition.”

“Of course, name it,” I said hastily, desperate for yet another last chance I was never supposed to get. I really don’t think he’s going to let this slide again.

My dad turned around and walked back into the building, letting the door slam.

Bewildered, I turned towards Jamie. “What just happened?”

“Um, I’m not really sure. It seems like your dad kind of just slammed the door on this conversation—“

The door swung open again, and out emerged my dad and the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.

My dad gestured to her. “Meet the fourth member of your team.”