He ran a hand through his hair.“That’s not for you to worry about right now.You need to rest and heal.”
“Diya …” I started, but paused for a moment when he stiffened.“Is she okay?”
“Diya is …fine.”
“Cairo said I should ask you about her.”
“I don’t want to talk about her, and I don’t think you wanna know what happened until you’re better.Let’s just say that she will not be in contact with you, no matter how many times she tries to come here.”
My stomach twisted.“I want to see her.I know we got into a fight because you and I are dating, but I want to make things right.”
“She tried to get you killed,” he said, and then his eyes widened as if he hadn’t meant to say that aloud.
My eyes widened too.“She what?”
“Apparently, she was the reason that they kidnapped you.”
“No.You’re lying.”I shook my head.“She wouldn’t do that.”
“She’s a hormonal pregnant teenager who just got knocked up by my stepfather.She does whatever she wants, like she always has, Astrid.”He drew his thumb across my knuckles.“I’m sorry, but it’s true.”
“Did she tell you that herself?”
“Sorta.”
“Sorta?Well, sorta doesn’t cut it for me.I want to see her.When can I?—”
Before I could finish my sentence, the door opened again, but this time, it was Rush and Frasier.For being the player out of the bunch, Frasier had three bags of chips and a pack of Gatorade in his arms, looking more like a soccer mom by the day.
“Where’d you get all of that?”I asked, stifling back a giggle.
“Probably raided my kitchen,” Cairo murmured, still half asleep beside me.
“Don’t you dare fucking scare us like that again,” Frasier said, placing the chips and Gatorade on the table beside me.“No more being kidnapped for you.”
“Deal,” I said, glancing over at Rush.
He stared at me intently, his gaze never once leaving mine.I swallowed, never seeing that look in his eyes before, and then the door opened again.
“Sweetheart,” Dad said, rushing over.
Arch’s mom was right by his side, and Arch was at the door, lingering again.
Dad pulled me into a hug, his voice cracking.“I thought I’d lost you.”
The guys stepped out of the room to give us some space, and I squeezed Dad tighter because while we never really were that close, I missed hanging out with him.It seemed like life was constantly getting in the way.
“I’m still here,” I said when he finally pulled away, glancing over at Arch.“But can I … maybe have a minute alone with Arch?”
After they kissed me once more on the forehead, they left the room.The door clicked shut behind them.Arch still had on his dark hoodie, his hands stuffed into his pockets.
“What do you want?”he growled.
I smiled over at him.“You stayed.”
He narrowed his eyes.“Cairo told you?”
“Yes.”
