“From?”
“Removing your friend’s hands from his body,” Jett told me bluntly.
Quinn poured me some coffee, and Ava made me a plate of waffles. “I’m sorry. It’s been a lot to adjust to, and it could have been better.”
Jett nodded in acknowledgment. “I’m sorry too,” he said as he watched Ava.
“What for?” I asked as I saw her glare at him. “The meal? Or what you said in the car?”
He winced and sighed. “Well . . . that, and I took her phone.”
I looked at him in surprise. “Which is why she didn’t call me?” I said in understanding.
“And when I went to the apartment, the lock was changed.” Ava hovered beside me. “And I didn’t know how to fix us,” she whispered miserably.
“The lock’s changed because it’s a new door.”
“Oh!” I saw her relief, and she gave me a sheepish look.
I felt Jett’s judgmental look and rolled my eyes at him.
“I never called you before Thanksgiving either,” I said as I avoided looking at her. “I should have, but . . . I’m stubborn.”
“Sibling fights are always the worst,” Quinn said calmly as she sipped her coffee. “I know, I’ve watched this lot and Onyx since I was eleven.”
“Just as bad?” I asked her, grateful for her intervention.
“Oh, no.” Quinn shook her head. “Much more drama andwaymore tears.”
Jett laughed, which caused Ava to giggle, and then the four of us were all laughing as I ate my waffle and drank my coffee. All I needed now was to talk to Ash, and hopefully all my bridges would be mended.
Chapter 35: Ash
When I came home on Sunday, Red was gone. Ava said that she needed space and left not long after she ate her waffle, so Jett and Ava took her home. I knew they must have all talked it out because Jett actually drove her home. Quinn said Mia insisted on going down to the basement to see Casey and apologize before she left.
Not knowing why she was apologizing to the freshman, I went down and asked him. Seemed the Shane prick had been a dick to them, too.
I was in my room pacing when Quinn came in.
“Hey,” she greeted.
“What’s up?” I asked, still getting used to the casualness between us. I liked it, it felt . . .normal.
“Well, I’m trying to study, and your thinking is distracting me,” she said honestly as she sat on my bed. Her hand landed on Red’s top. “Should I ask?”
“Did you see her last night?”
“It was pretty hard to miss, she was really upset.” Quinn folded the top in her hands.
“No, not the crying.” I reached over and plucked the top out of Quinn’s hands. “Did you see this? What isthis? Is it a top? Is it a bra? Is it even suitable for wearing outside?”
Quinn pressed her hands to her mouth as she watched me. “Ash, did you just rewind time?” She let out a peal of laughter at my bemused expression. “It’s not the nineteen forties — she can wear what she likes.”
I shook my head. “No, you see, you’re wrong.” I held the top up again. “She can’t wear this.”
“You can’t dictate what your girlfriend is going to wear,” Quinn told me seriously.
“Yes, I can.” I tossed the scrap of clothing to the side. “There’s no way in hell Gray would let you out in that.”
