“We can talk more later. They’re probably all waiting for us.”
I hold back a scoff. There will be no further discussion between us if I can help it.
My phone vibrates in my jacket pocket as I head toward the car after practice. The same old hope that it’s Mina rises up even though I should know better. She’s too scared to call me. That ball’s in my court.
This morning’s interaction put me in a foul mood. So it’d better be someone I like calling, or else they’ll learn what my voicemail sounds like.
Sabrina’s name flashes on the screen, and I pick it up before wedging the phone between my shoulder and ear to put my crap in the trunk.
She doesn’t waste time with greetings and jumps straight into why she’s calling. “How do you feel about attending a gala next week? I have a spare ticket.”
I pause. “Is that ticket meant to belong to Mitchell?”
This sounds familiar. I think it’s a charity ball of some sort for something I wasn’t fully paying attention to. Honestly, Mitchell probably didn’t fully know either when he was complaining to me about needing to find a new tux.
“Maybe.” Sabrina answers far too conspiratorially for my liking.
“What’s the catch?” I slide into the front seat and fire up the engine.
She hesitates. That’s never a good sign. A worse sign? When she rushes to say something. “Mom and Dad may or may not be there.”
I glare at the center console where her name is on the screen as my phone connects to Bluetooth.
“Looks like you’re going to waste a ticket.” Sabrina knows better than to ask me. If they’re there, I won’t be.
I can practically hear her pouting. “Come on. For me? Please?”
“What about that new friend of yours? Tala?” I say because I just can’t help myself. I always need to check in to make sure her and Mina’s friendship is still solid.
Well, as solid as it can be since my sister doesn’t know her real name.
She snorts. “That would be like asking her if she feels like living out her personal form of hell.”
“Ditto,” I mutter, glad she’s more considerate of Mina’s wellbeing than mine.
“She’s the most introverted person I’ve ever met. Sometimes I feel bad dragging her out of her apartment to grab coffee, but I think getting out and about and talking to people is good for her soul. I doubt she sees it that way though.” I’ve always appreciated my sister’s ability to tell me everything I want to know without needing to ask probing questions. “Plus, after she managed to find me this limited-edition bag I’ve been searching foreverywherefor years, Leo,years, I figured I’d do the nice thing and not succumb her to a tedious night of schmoozing with assholes.”
I back out of my parking space and start the drive home as she talks. “But I deserve it?”
“Always.” Her answer is immediate.
“I’d do a lot of things for you, Sabrina?—”
“I’m aware. So what’s one more thing?”
“I do a lot for you,” I reiterate. “Which is why I’m not going to ruin my year by putting myself in a situation where I might interact with the people who sired me, just so you have someone to talk shit with the whole night.”
Her bratty huff crackles through the receiver. “Fine. But you’ll owe me.”
“Will I now?”
“Yup.” She pops thep. “You’ll know once I’m ready to collect the favor.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Mina
If painkillers aren’t working, and no amount of water is getting rid of the headache, the only option is to pray—and watch Leo from a distance since it’s become one of the few joys out of my day.
