That was new.
She called when she needed something, or when she was worried about me, or when Nicky had done something that needed to be documented for posterity. Not just to talk.
The third time, I asked her directly.
“Knox?”
She was quiet for a second. “Haven't seen him.”
“At all?”
“At all,” she confirmed. “It's been weird. Kind of quiet.”
I thought about Noah, who hadn't said a word about Knox since the night we handed over the burner. Who hadn't brought it up once. Who had gone back to practice, film study, and stealing Dustin's snacks like nothing had happened.
I didn't ask.
Some things you didn'tneedto ask about.
Noah and I would be friends for life. I knew that as much as I knew Savannah Cole would one day be my wife.
The common room was in darkness — it was two in the morning after all. Still, I turned the light on, checked the room was empty, and then turned it off again. I made my way to the very back, a small corner, where I could see anyone who came in.
I looked at Savannah’s phone in my hand. I was about to test the limits of our relationship. Her password was ridiculously simple. I’d need to have words with her about that.
My hand shook as I flicked through her contacts. I pressed the name I needed, and then I sat back as the phone rang.
“Savannah?”
“Mrs. Cole?”
There was silence, and then I heard the background noise dimming.
“It’sDr.Cole. Who is this?”
“I’m Dante Spence, ma’am—”
“Doctor.”
“Right.” Jesus. “I’m Dante, Dr. Cole, I’m Sav’s boyfriend.”
The silence was frigid. The steel in Sav’s spine hadn't come from her father. That much was clear.
“Is she hurt?” she finally asked.
This was it, make or break. I took a deep breath and threw my Hail Mary. “Have you got time to talk?”
When I got off the phone, I felt like I’d been in an ice bath too long. There was no warmth in that woman — how Savannah was who she was, with parents like that, was a mystery.
I went back to my room, and Noah was where I’d left him.
“And?”
“I think I might be single when she wakes up.” I chewed the inside of my cheek. “I did the right thing, though.”
Noah stood. “How many times will you say it before you believe it?”
“Until she believes it too.” I nodded toward his bedroom door. “Sleep. It’s going to be six a.m. before you know it.”
