I blush insanely hot. It slipped out, and I know it’s too late to take it back.
With a hitch in his step, he jogs backward toward his field. After snapping his fingers, he points at me. “Ilovethat.”
I’m smiling like I can’t stop as I head to the locker rooms. But feel so intensely out of my zone. Flirting? Like I’m in eighth grade?
He’s myhusband. Not some guy I’m supposed to be nervous around.
Even as I cringe at myself, my mind drifts to everything we could do when he gets home. It’s such a shame the boys don’t play until late, though.
Maybe I could try to cookhimdinner for once.
Other than frozen pizza, and perhaps now a quiche, I don’t know how to make much. I could make spaghetti. That’s easy enough.
Bag over my shoulder, I wander toward the south of campus. My phone blares a ring, and I answer the call.
“Hi!” I tell Evie.
“Hello, my beautiful tulip flower. Can I call you that even if your husband does? I think it’s so perfect for you. Only blooms for a second. Otherwise, it’s too cold to show its colors. ButIget to see that day. I can see it.”
I snort a laugh. “Are you high?”
“A little, why?”
“No reason. What’s up?” I step over a crack in the sidewalk and make sure to scan my surroundings, but there’s no one out of place nearby.
“Just checking how you are. And how the protection duty is going. If you need me for anything. Basically, what I am saying, Scoutie, is that you’re my close friend, and I want to make sure you’re okay. Are you okay?”
I think about the car situation on Monday night. Apollo’s brothers had it towed to their garage today, which makes me feel only slightly better. Having Apollo near is the biggest comfort, however. The gun in our bedroom still freaks me out.
“Apollo’s going to take me to the gun range this weekend.”
“I’m liking this guy more and more.”
“I assume you know how to use weapons, then? It wasn’t just for show, right?” I ask, needing that reassurance. But I don’t want to know too much detail about Evie Lynx’s life. I’ve heard rumors. That her family has been in hiding for years. That perhaps her birth father was a sex trafficker. She and her mother and brother had to live in utter privacy. It seems like a mess to get into, and I’ve got too many of my own to deal with.
“My darling? I was born with a bullet in my hand and a blade at my throat.”
Something about that, about having her loyalty forno reason, makes me feel relieved. “You’re something else, Evie.”
“I am. And I’ll tell you what, Scout. I’m also there for you, if you need me. But not right at this moment because I’m busy. Bye?—”
The end of the conversation is cut short as she hangs up with a hushed breath.
By the time I’m home, the winter light fades from purple to black. I shiver and hurry inside, then check all the locks.
Carefully, I search every room. Even the closet in our bedroom, holding a candlestick like it could protect me from Ayan if he decided to break in.
But I’m safe. I’m okay.
And I feelgoodthat I was able to come to my own home, scope it out, and be comforted here.
I undress and smile, looking forward to a steamy shower. Midway through washing my hair, I pause.
Was that a noise?
I wait. Listening. Imagining sounds that aren’t there until I force myself to move.
Firm grip on the white curtain, I rip back and stick my head out, listening for another bump. Nothing.
