Page 60 of Home of the Brave

“Victoria!” More knocking.

Cambrie.

I almost ignored her. Maybe I was gone. Lining up to watch the parade with the rest of the city.

“Victoria, I know you’re in there.”

She couldn’t.

“We shared our phone locations, remember? I know you haven’t left.”

I did not remember. That had sounded like a good idea in the moment, making sure we could find each other if we got separated at events. I didn’t think she’d use it against me like this.

I groaned and got up, glaring at the door until I opened it and forced a smile.

She took in my bedhead and pajamas. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing.” That was the point.

She stepped past me, letting herself in. “Well, you need to hurry and get ready.”

“For what?”

“The parade,” she eyed me. “We’re going to be late.”

“We don’t have to be there.” I reminded her, “It’s our only day off.”

“You don’t want to go?”

I shook my head. “Not really.”

“But it’s the two-hundred and fiftieth anniversary of our country's independence. Take out the tournament; this is still a big deal.”

“I can watch from here.” I pointed at the TV. “And probably have a better view.”

Not to mention having the room set to a cool temperature without the humidity.

“It’s the Fourth of July, and we’re in DC.”

“Correct.”

Her eyes narrowed. “This is the biggest anniversary we’ll be alive for.”

“We could see three hundred.”

She folded her arms. “But we won’t be in our twenties with press passes.”

I sat on the end of my bed. “But––”

“We don’t even have to be in the crowd. There are platforms we can stand on.”

“It’s so hot,” I tried.

“They’re shaded. I’m pretty sure I even saw fans.”

I fell back with a groan. “I haven’t had a day off in weeks.”

“We interview athletes. It’s not hard or strenuous labor.”