When Nev’s breathing slows, I pry myself out of my seat and stretch, then tuck the comforter around her small body. As I turn to go, my heart lurches into my throat.
A broad figure darkens the doorway.
41
Easy Come, Easy Go
Palm flat against my still-careening heart, I inch toward the door. “I think I just had a stroke,” I whisper to Ten, picking up my tote and hoisting it onto my shoulder.
He chuckles softly, moving out of the way so I can pass around him. Then he draws the door closed, but not completely.
“How’d it go?” he asks, pushing the sleeves of his forest-green hoodie up his forearms.
“Oh, you know… painfully boring, but hey, we got through it.”
“Let me guess. You two watched six hours of Netflix, ate pasta with meatballs, and inhaled half the pan of blondies.”
“Did Nev text you a play-by-play of our night or was that a wild guess?”
A corner of his mouth lifts. “Nev texted me.”
“How was the competition?”
“Good.”
“Did you win?”
“Maybe.”
I raise my hand for a high five, which he delivers. His palm lingers on mine. I swallow and take a quick step back, move my hands to my jean pockets but can’t get more than my first phalanx in. Albeit stretchy, the denim is a little tight.
“I should go home.”
“Right away?”
“Um. Well… it’s a school night, and it’s ten thirty.”
“I’ll drop you off.”
“I biked over.”
“Angie—”
“Your sister would totally freak if she woke up to an empty house.”
He sighs. “Do you have your earbuds?”
“Please don’t tell me not to listen to music while I bike. Rae’s always on my case about that.”
His lips quirk up. “I just want you to talk to me during your ride home.”
“This is Belle Meade…”
“If you don’t, I’ll drive you home.”
“Ten—”
“Angie.”
