Maya
I’m fine. Why does he care?
Carter
Because you helped him when you didn’t have to. Because he recognizes a fellow drowning person. Because sometimes it’s easier to worry about someone else’s problems than face your own.
Maya
That’s very psychological of you.
Carter
I’m dating a journalist and majoring in psychology. I’ve learned a few things.
Maya
How is he really?
Carter
Scared. In pain. Trying to figure out how to tell his father that his NHL dreams are on hold. The usual disaster.
Maya
Tell him I said to stop being an idiot and actually rest.
Carter
You tell him. Come back for dinner tonight. Lennox is cooking, and Ryder’s staying here until his concussion clears. You two can be disasters together.
I stare at the message for a while, is my big brother trying to set me up with his friend? No, there is no way he would. Would he?
Something about Ryder’s situation calls to me. Something about watching someone else destroy themselves makes me want to intervene, even though I have no right, no authority, no room to talk.
Maya
What time?
Carter
Six. And Maya. Thank you for last night for helping him. For being there.
Maya
Don’t make it weird.
Carter
Too late. Already weird.
Chapter 6
Ryder
Carter’s apartmentbecomes my prison for the next three days. Doctor’s orders, someone has to monitor my concussion, and Carter volunteered before I could argue.
Lennox, Carter’s girlfriend, is surprisingly cool about having an injured hockey player camping on their couch. She’s a journalist, sharp and observant, and I get the feeling she’s storing away details about my situation for future reference.
