I shake my head.
Her eyes darken. “Mitch?”
She looks particularly feral, and I wish it didn’t send a rush of blood through my veins. I recognize this expression, one where she’s on the attack, and it lights a fire that shoots up my spine.
The hint of a grin tugs at my mouth at the memory of the first time the Williams twins revealed how quickly they turned into guard dogs over people who mattered. Over me. It was when I knew I’d found people I’d always be with.
The memory is there, but the outcome is not what I thought.
“Ryder.” Ava moves like she might want to reach for me, a look of concern furrowed in her brow.
If she touches me, then I’m undone. With a wide step back, I harden my expression. “Material orders are going to be delivered on Monday. We’ll need to go through them and see what else is needed. I’ll see you then.”
I don’t wait for her to say a word, I don’t say goodbye to Jack, I don’t say anything before I cut down a cross hall leading to the dressing room.
Ava
Age Twelve
This feelslike we’re in the horror movie we lied about watching last weekend and we’re running from a crazed killer. I don’t know why we crouched in the toolshed, we should’ve stuck it out and finished the job, but when Ryder said run at the sight of the bright blue car on the lane, we ran.
My smile looks stupid and big with my braces, but I can’t help it. It’s pretty exciting.
Maybe I get why Mom is starting to worry about my fascination with scary movies.
“I can’t believe you hit him. He totally deserved it, but man, Ride-or-freaking-Die for the win!” I whisper and thread my arm through Ryder’s, then Drake’s when he settles on my other side.
It’s how we always sit. Dad always jokes and tells us to ‘assume the position’ on movie nights. I’m safe here. I’ve always been pretty good with feelings and trusting my gut. And the first night I met Ryder, I knew he’d always be a safe place, different from Drake, but still safe.
I’m smiling . . . until I notice Ryder isn’t. He looks sick, to be honest. White and sweaty, his hands over his ears. And is he . . . I unthread my arm from his and rest my palm on his back. He’s trembling, even though it’s a hundred and one degrees outside.
I’m pretty sure if we stay in this shed too long, we’ll bake.
“Hey,” I whisper. “You okay?”
“Don’t believe him.” He lifts his gaze, practically begging me.
Drake gives me a strange look. He’s confused too.
I lean in once more. “Believe who?”
Ryder doesn’t have time to answer before shouting begins. I tense. I’ve always hated shouting and yelling, especially when it’s men. I lucked out with Dad, he rarely raises his voice.
But that’s . . .Josh. He’s losing it. Josh is the nicest guy ever. Why is he so mad?
“We’re done here,” Josh shouts. “I’m not tolerating this crap anymore, Dan.”
“He broke his nose.” The other guy barks. It’s the best way I can describe it, he sounds like an angry dog.
Josh scoffs. “Ryder was defending himself. I caught what Mitchell was doing, and based on what I saw, it’s been happening for quite some time. He apologizes, or he’s not coming back, you get me?”
“What are you doing, Josh?” The other guy shouts. “You do this, that means you’re cutting out your family.”
“My family is right here.”
“You’re going to pick him? Josh, open your eyes, he can hardly talk. I told you not to marry her; I knew the kid would be a burden on you, and it’s tearing—”
“Shut up!” Josh shouts. “You talk aboutmy sonlike that again, and I’m breaking your jaw.”
