The crying intensified and Drew’s voice grew more desperate through our thin walls, as Gordy’s deeper voice joined in trying to soothe her.
I ran my hands through my hair. Sleep wasn’t going to happen. Not with Rory screaming, not with my mind racing, and definitely not with the memory of Ava’s skin under my fingers playing on repeat. The taste of her mouth. The way she’d trusted me enough to be vulnerable.
My phone sat on the nightstand, taunting me. I’d seen Ava in class since our night of Truth or Dare, but I hadn’t pushed to cross off another item from her list.
Maybe it was time to change that.
I picked up my phone before I could stop myself.
Me
What are you wearing?
I bit back a smile thinking about her reaction when she got that. Considering how late—or early depending on how you looked at it—it was, I didn’t expect a response, but one came in almost immediately.
Ava
It’s 1:30 am, Farrell. Some of us have class tomorrow.
Even through text, I could hear the sass. My smile grew despite myself.
Me
Well, clearly I didn’t wake you up, since you answered right away. Now answer my question.
Ava
Why?
I shook my head, even though she couldn’t see it. She could be so difficult sometimes.
Me
You had sexting on your list. Since it appears neither of us can sleep, I thought we could cross that off your list. I figured you’d rather start simple like what you’re wearing instead of just jumping into me telling you exactly what I’d do to you if I was there right now.
Ava
Why can’t you sleep?
Me
Your lovely niece has decided to see how loud she can scream and how many people in one household she can keep awake.
Ava
You really want to do this right now? While Rory is screaming?
Me
I can multitask. Unless you’re too chicken.
That would get her. Ava never backed down from a challenge—it was one of the things I’d always admired about her. I could picture her in bed, cheeks flushing pink the way they did when she was turned on. That rosy color that spread down her neck and across her chest.
Ava
Fine. I’m wearing men’s boxers and an oversized CFU T-shirt.
I sat up in bed.
