My eyes roll.
“I was just saying that for a girl who doesn’t usually bother to help others out when there’s nothing at stake for her, she sure took on your homework pretty fast after Declan’s text.”
Arya doesn’t just look out for herself. She put herself at risk to rescue Octavia.
“She might like me more than most people,” I say dryly.
Shane smirks. “She might. About tomorrow, what’s on your mind?”
I run a hand over my arm, rubbing the scrapes from Arya’s nails through the fabric of my sweater. “I don’t know tomorrow’s full agenda.” I pop my knuckles. “But I need to put pressure on the possible players to see what I can shake loose. Someone knows something. Those who don’t need to be eliminated from consideration.”
Shane nods.
“The killer is dropping bodies quickly now, meaning he’s either cleaning up loose ends before going underground or he’s entering a spree. The clock is ticking.”
* * *
ARYA
Shane and Averystay for dinner at Erik’s. I make a spicy chicken and corn tortilla casserole that has the other three guzzling their drinks. After they leave, Erik announces he’s ready to crash.
“Have a good rest,” I say, settling on the couch next to the space heater with my laptop.
“How much work do you have left?”
“None. I’m catching up on social media.”
“Leave that till tomorrow.”
Shaking my head, I lean over my laptop, watching a video that’s gone viral of backup dancers rehearsing for the Super Bowl. I’m thinking of doing a duet video.
Erik joins me on the couch, causing me to give him the side-eye.
“What are you doing, Viking?”
“Waiting for you.”
“You shouldn’t. I’m not coming.”
Fathomless blue eyes study my profile. “Because?”
I raise my shoulder in a shrug. “Just doing my own thing.”
“That tone says you’re doing your own thing because you’re unhappy about something.”
“No.” I scroll through more videos that are trending.
He snags my laptop and pulls it away before I realize what he’s going to do. I give him a harassed look.
“What’s going on, Arya?”
“It’s nothing bad. You inspired me, actually. You might enter the NFL draft to live out your dream. Just because there’s no easy, big-money path for me, doesn’t mean I should just give up on mine.”
“Playing in the NFL isn’t a dream. It’s a means to an end.”
I turn sideways to face him. “A means to an end? Meaning you’ll make a lot of money playing sports so you can do what? Hike and be an investigative reporter?”
“Something like that.” He grips my knee as his thumb strokes my flesh. “Come to bed.”
