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She hasn’t shown her face around much and for that, I’m thankful. Because even though I agreed on her deal, I still feel the need to punch her nose every time I see her. Particularly right now when I’m a tad bit thornier with the lack of sleep.
The conversation between Ava and Savannah continues, and Neil chimes in a few times, but Cade remains silent while I do the same, not feeling the need to fill the space with useless conversation just to hear myself talk.
When lunch is over, the day goes by slower than I thought possible. But at least I don’t have to be here tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Weatherman.
As I’m heading to my car, Ava falls into step beside me. “Just wanted to let you know I’m making progress,” she says under her breath.
I don’t even want to know what that means. “Yay.”
“It’s not much, but some.” She glances around before moving closer. “It won’t take as long as I thought. He already kissed me.”
“Oh my fucking God. I said I don’t need details.” I try to push the image of the two of them together out of my mind. But the development does make me happy. I really didn’t think Ava had it in her.
“I just need you to know that I’m keeping up my end of the bargain. Even if someone is making it difficult.”
I look to where she motions to Topher. He’s about ten feet away, his back to us as we head into the parking lot. Once we’re out the doors, we split, walking in opposite directions toward our cars. It’s a few seconds later when Topher sees her at her car and heads that way. He might be making her mission a little more difficult, but she has to get this shit done. There’s no way I’m losing anything to my dad.
On the way home, I debate if I should clue my mom in, but once I arrive at home, and spot both their vehicles in the driveway, I decide against it. Not that I’d get a second to speak anyway because as soon as I open the door, I hear my parents’ shouts at each other. Once I round the corner and enter the formal living, they both spot me. Mom stops yelling but Dad keeps going.
“We’re not going,” he bellows, his fury fixed on her. “There’s no need to get all worked up. This thing will blow over fast. Even if it hits us directly, it’s moving quickly and is barely a Cat 1. The backup generators are serviced and ready to go if the power goes out. I’m not leaving to lounge around the ranch just because that’s what you want to do.”
“I thought we could all use a mini vacation.”
“You’re always on a vacation. Me on the other hand, I have a job to do and can’t just up and leave.”
Mom gets a fuming glare on her face. “The game was canceled. And it wouldn’t kill you to spend two seconds focusing on your actual family.”
A laugh bubbles out of my mouth before I can stop it, drawing both of my parents’ attention. “Such a big happy family.”
Neither say anything in response, and surprisingly, Dad simply walks out of the room.
“Morgan, we can go without him. I’ll let your brother know when he gets home.”
“I’m not leaving, but Ryder might want to go.”
As I turn and walk away, she tells me, “I’m not going unless both of you go. These storms can change in a heartbeat.”
She’s not wrong, but I’m staying regardless. “Make your own decision, but I’m not going.”
12
CADE
Wow. I can’t believe she actually showed. What’s more, I can’t believe I actually stayed away from her for two nights.
I’d hoped she’d show after Neil suggested throwing a hurricane party. I mean, why not? There’s only been a little rain, nothing major, and it looks like the system has stalled a bit. I’m just thankful it got me out of the game tonight. Playing was already hard enough, now I have to worry about whether I’m winning or losing—likeactuallyworry about it—because I have a feeling even if I do my best, Coach will make me pay the price if it’s not good enough.
“Hey, Morgan’s here,” Neil says a little too excitedly.
Not that I should be surprised, theyhavebeen better friends since the horrid night at the abandoned hospital. Apparently, nothing impresses Morgan like shooting a guy in the head. The disturbing image flashes through my mind as I close my eyes and drink down the beer in my hand.
“Yep,” I reply, heading in the opposite direction. I hope she hasn’t slept well the last few nights, because I haven’t slept at all.
When I round the corner, I spot Topher waylaying someone then see that Ava is the one on the receiving end. But all she’s doing is standing propped against the wall, her arms folded over her chest as she looks everywhere except at Topher. It reminds me so much of Morgan that it makes me feel bad for Topher; he seems to be wailing desperately about something.
Once I get close enough to hear anything over the thumping music, Ava spots me and stands straight up before turning and darting away. That’s weird. And Topher must agree because he has a confused look on his face as he glances around. When he spots me, he marches up to get right in my face. “I want to know what the hell is going on.”
Fuck. “What’re you talking about?”
