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“What? Why?”
“I got suspended from the team.”
Cait sucked in a breath and tried not to panic. “How come? What happened?”
“It’s no big deal. I’ll be able to play again after Christmas.”
“No big deal?” Basketball was Val’s life. Or it had been. “Games like this are what get the scouts interested. Even this early in your high school career, you need to start thinking about scholarships. You’re one of the best guards in the state. Believe me, colleges are already watching your performances.”
“It’s no big deal,” Val said again, brushing off Cait’s hand. “I’ve gotta study. See ya later.”
“Val—” Cait called as her sister tore out of the room, long ponytails flying.
She released a breath and forced herself not to run after her sister. Val was in ninth grade, and that was a tough year for even the most well-adjusted kids.
Somehow she’d get Val through whatever difficulty had led to her suspension. If Val wouldn’t tell Cait what was going on, she would call her coach directly. No matter what, she’d be there for her and get her back on the right path.
Cait glanced at her sister and her mother, who’d now moved their spat to the small pantry off the kitchen. Apparently that would be the location of the nursery.
Cait grabbed the box of breakables her mother had packed up for her and headed for the back door. Time to go.
On the way out of her mom’s parking lot, her cell chirped. She checked the readout and dutifully stopped the car, a smile already forming. “Hey, you.”
“Hey.” Tristan’s warm voice flowed over the line. “Where are you?”
The sounds of a scuffle ensued, complete with colorful curses. “Yeah, where are you? And wherever it is, can you bring back food?” Matt chimed in, coaxing forth a laugh.
“You have a car. Go get your own takeout. What do I look like, your maid?”
“How about French maid? I can see you in one of those little black-and-white outfits. With one of those lacy things on your hair and a really short skirt --”
“Her skirts are already plenty short,” Tristan put in after yet another scuffle. “We thought you’d be around for dinner.”
“I headed out to my mom’s. Didn’t Matt tell you?”
“You know how he is. Half-witted.”
“If he didn’t spend all his time playing video games, he might eventually make it to a full three quarters,” she replied, knowing Matt would have some smart comment.
“Watch the insults,” Matt interjected. “Or else I’m going to torch all your clothes and fill up your closet with slut gear.”
She grinned and tried to ignore the typical flutter in her stomach at that word. Slut. If she knew anything, it was that Matt and Tris would never hurt her—with names or otherwise. “You again. Don’t you have anything to do but spy on personal phone calls?”
“Dickweed put you on speakerphone.”
“I feel the love.” She laughed. “Try not to go at each other too badly before I get home, ’kay?”
“We’ll try to control ourselves.” Tristan’s dry tone made her laugh again. “So how’s the fam?”
“They’re fine.” She wet her dry lips. “Um, I got some of Abe’s stuff done. Well, I started thinking about it anyway.”
“Thinking’s a definite plus. So you’re leaving us on our own tonight?”
She glanced out the windshield as icy flakes started to drift down from the dark gray sky. Nightfall came so early this time of year, and she really wasn’t a fan of driving around in snow. But she needed just a little more time.
“Not the whole night. I’ll be around in a while. Probably by ten.” Her growling stomach provided a handy excuse. “I’m going to go grab some food, but then I’d like to talk to you. If you have time.”
“I always have time for you. Have some right now, actually.”
