Page 88 of Challenge Me

“My fault,” she finished. “Not Remi’s.”

“It’s not your fault. You can’t help that you got scared.”

She huffed. “Tyr let the giant wolf bite his hand off to help his friends. I only have to breathe so people don’t worry about me.”

An unexpected laugh escaped me. “Is Remi telling you stories?”

The corner of her mouth lifted. “I like it.” Looking at her phone, she wrinkled her nose. “Uh oh.”

“Mom?” She nodded. “You should answer it.”

“Can I sleep instead?”

“She was scared. Talk to her first, then you can sleep.”

“Okay.”

She brought the phone to her ear, and I slowly reached out to brush her hair out of her face.

She was okay. That was what mattered right now.

Chapter 24

Amir

Once Mal was asleep, I left her room. Remi wasn’t in the kitchen anymore, not that I’d expected him to wait around. It was dark inside, only some light from the moon coming through the windows to guide me across the apartment.

With my hand on the doorknob, I took a breath. As soon as I opened it, my mouth went dry.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

Remi didn’t answer. He zipped up his backpack and lifted it off the bed. My eyes went to the duffel by the footboard, right next to his shoes. When he put one on, I came to the realization that things were about to go sideways.

“Stop.”

He let out a sigh. “Let’s not do this, Amir.”

“Maybe you’ll enlighten me as to what this is.” I gestured at his bag. “Were you planning to leave without a word?”

He lifted one shoulder. “It depends.”

“On what?”

“If you caught me.”

I scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I heard what Avery said back at the field. And look, I get it. I’ve broken your trust, so I’m going to head out so you don’t have to push me out.”

“Avery will calm down.”

“Yeah? Did she agree to let Mal stay?” When I pursed my lips, he breathed a dry laugh. “Thought so.”

“Running away isn’t the answer, Remi.”

“Running? I intend to walk very gracefully, actually.”

“Don’t shut down like this.”