“What are we playing?” Noah looks at the screen. “Ohh, Maya.”
Elijah wanders into the kitchen. “What’s going on?”
“Catch.” Noah lets my phone fly through the air and Elijah scrambles not to let it fall from his hands.
“Assholes.” I narrow my eyes. “If someone doesn’t give my phone back, I’ll convince coach we need an entire week of suicide drills.”
Elijah hands my phone back, clearing his throat. “Sorry.”
I wave him off, making sure they didn’t accidentally send Maya any weird messages with their game. There isn’t, but her answer makes me freeze.
Maya:I’m about to go for a walk. I need it to clear my head.
What? It’s almost ten.
Easton:At the gym?
Maya:No, treadmill walking just makes me antsy. I have to walk outside when it’s for my anxiety.
Easton:Are you walking alone? In the dark?
Maya:Yeah, I always do. I take protection.
She sends a photo of the metal cat ear-shaped self-defense. I pinch the bridge of my nose for a moment, then scrub at my face.
Yeah, no. I think the fuck not.
Easton:Tell me where you are. I’m coming with you.
It takes her a long moment to respond. I’m about to comb the entire town to find her when she says she’ll meet me in front of Clocktower Brew House. I heave a sigh. The protectiveness I feel over her slams into me as hard as a player checking me at full speed.
“I’m going out,” I announce.
“Tell Maya we say hi.” Noah winks.
Grabbing my keys and wallet, I head back out and jog the short distance to Main Street square. I beat her there, spending a few minutes shifting my weight foot to foot until I finally spot her coming from the direction of the school. She has a worn baseball cap on with her ponytail swinging.
Maya eyes me up and down. “You okay? You’re all tense.”
“Yeah, because someone told me they like to walk around by themselves at night.” I step into her, taking her by the shoulders. “Do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“No matter what time it is, tell me when you feel like going for a walk from now on. I’ll go with you so you never have to walk alone.”
Her pretty mouth parts in surprise. I want to trace her lower lip with my fingertips and taste it until I have the shape of it committed to memory.
“Nothing’s ever happened. Heston Lake is safe.” She waves to the owner of the bookshop.
I shake my head. “I don’t like the idea of you out late at night by yourself.”
“What if I need to go for a walk in the middle of the night?” Her chin lifts.
“I’m there.”
She slides her lips together. “The night before a game? You need to be well rested to play.”
I squeeze her shoulders. “I’mthere, Maya. Anytime you need me, I’ll be there.”
