Noah’s phone buzzes on the night stand, but he doesn’t check it.
“You should get that, in case it’s your mom.”
“She doesn’t need a plumber that bad.” But he picks up the phone anyway, then shakes his head. The dim light shows a reluctant smile on his face.
“What?”
“Here. You can read it.” He hands me the phone. “Group text. Hux just added to it.”
–Griffin: How’s Bobbi doing?
–Nicholas: I finally saw the videos Molly found. That’s assault, isn’t it?
–Huxley: No point pressing charges. She’d get a slap on the wrist, if that.
–Griffin: Dad should’ve waited before dragging them out. I never got a chance to kick ’em.
“When Griff kicks you, something breaks,” Noah says.
I let out a short laugh. “Good to know. Next time you see him, tell him thanks.”
“Tell him yourself when we have another get together.”
I realize he’s right. And his talking about our future like he’s going to be around—of course!—sends flutter of hope and optimism. “Yeah, I will.” Smiling and placing a hand on his arm, I return to the text.
–Emmett: You kick women now too?
–Grant: She’s a bitch, but she’s still a woman…
–Griffin: No, I don’t kick women. But I would’ve kicked him twice. One for him, one for her. She’s his fiancée. He should take full responsibility.
–Me: Very medieval of you.
–Griffin: Not my fault he’s engaged to an animal.
–Huxley: There are ways to sue them into oblivion. No need to get violent like savages.
–Griffin: Say that to my face.
–Nicholas: I don’t think Bobbi would appreciate you fighting.
–Me: I wish I could dump them in the middle of a jungle with a single canteen of water.
–Huxley: I know a guy who might know a guy.
I lift my eyes. “Is he serious?”
“Could be. You never know with Huxley.”
Another text pops up. I let Noah tap it. He looks at it for a moment and then tilts the screen back my way.
–Amy: Is Bobbi okay? Does she need anything?
–Lucie: I can’t believe it! That cake was so beautiful. And her cut looked terrible.
–Sierra: I can drop by with some dinner if that helps.
–Molly: There’s this poultice I found on the Internet that’s really good for cuts.
