“Okay.” I heard Quinn hesitate. “You need a lie.”
“A believable one.”
I heard her moving, and then it was quieter. “Tell me why you went home.”
“Needed some space.”
She waited.
I waited longer.
“Ash, don’t do this.”
“I needed space.” Resting my head against the front door, I sighed out loud.
“You eat?”
“Yes.” Clenching my jaw, I screwed my eyes shut.
“You throw up?”
“Queeny . . .”
“Okay.” Her voice was soft, caring. “Tell her that Coach called an early practice tomorrow. He wants Gray to practice without the splint, and you need to be here to stop Gray from being stupid.”
“Did he?” It wouldn’t surprise me.
“Not that I know of, but it’s believable.”
“Okay, um, thanks.”
“We can talk when you come home,” she said quietly. “I won’t tell them,” she added hastily when she heard my breath catch. “You know I wouldn’t.”
“Thanks,” I murmured. “Hey, is little Red okay?”
“Yeah, she was with Denzel, he stayed with her.”
My head snapped off the door as I straightened. “She’s with who now?”
Quinn’s peal of laughter sounded down the phone. “Come back now, but don’t be reckless. Drive safe.”
* * *
It was nearly two in the morning by the time I got back. What I hadn’t needed today was a seven-hour round trip home and back again. I was wired, though, and wanted to find out what was happening.
Pushing my bedroom door open, I stopped short when I saw her lying on the top of my bed. Closing the door, I put my overnight bag down and crossed the room to look at her. She was curled on her side, with her red hair spilling around her shoulders, one hand under her cheek as she slept. She looked like a freaking Disney princess lying there. If Disney princesses wore shorts and football jerseys.
Myfootball jersey.
She looked small and helpless. I was familiar with those curves, but in a way, not familiar enough. Picking up the comforter, I draped it over her. The room wasn’t cold, but she would sleep better if she were warmer.
Red didn’t stir, and quietly I left my room. I hesitated and then knocked on Gray’s door. He opened it immediately, and I braced myself for the rage, but instead, he stood back, and I entered the room. Quinn was still dressed and sitting cross-legged on the bed. Jett was on his phone, lying across the couch, but he sat upright when I came in.
“Ava?”
“Sleeping,” Quinn told me. “You okay?”
“What happened?” I asked as I took a seat beside Jett.
