“Thank me?”
“For helping Matt.”
I frowned.
She raised an eyebrow. “Do you have a concussion or something?”
“No.”
“Well, then, you must remember you saved my baby’s hand.”
“Oh.” I nibbled on my bottom lip. “Is it still…functional?”
“Uh-huh. They’ve stapled his skin. The nerves and tendons are regenerating.”
My stomach flipped at the mention of stapling flesh.
“Anyway, we’re all going out to play some pool and grab a couple beers.”
I released my lip. “And you’re inviting me?”
“No. I came to give you a play-by-play of my evening to make you jealous.” She rolled her brown eyes. “Of course I’m inviting you! Scratch that. I’m here to takeyou.”
“I don’t really feel like going out.”
“You’re alive. And clean. You’re going out, so get dressed.”
I furrowed my forehead. My hair was still wet, and I hadn’t had time to file my nails down-that last part felt superficially important.
“We’ll wait for you in the car.”
“Amanda-”
She tsked. “Would you rather we all come to you?” She snuck a look behind me at my bedroom. “Might get a tad crowded in here.”
I blanched. “You’re joking.”
“I never joke.” Even though one side of her mouth was pulled up in a smile, her eyes were deathly serious.
I sighed. “Fine.”
“You got ten minutes.”
“What happens in ten minutes?”
“I send Matt to lug you out of your bedroom.”
The girl was not only crazy bossy but also mercurial. A week ago, she wanted me to stay away from herboys, and now she was forcing me to spend time with them. Since I was a little worried she’d throw a party in my bedroom, I finally accepted. “Fine. I’ll get ready.”
After I shut the door, I tried pulling on a pair of jeans, but the simple act of tugging them on felt like rubbing my legs with sandpaper, so I settled on leggings and a t-shirt. Wearing a bra was out of the question, but my nipples weren’t toovisible-I hoped. Okay, they were a little noticeable, but one really had to look.
Hopefully no one would. They’d all surely gotten enough eyefuls on Saturday.
Oh God…
And Liam had carried me back…
Oh great freaking God.
Trying to stifle my embarrassment, I swiped mascara over my eyelashes and red gloss over my lips, ran a brush through my damp hair, then filed my finger and toenails to the quick. I grabbed my bag, my phone-which Evelyn must’ve plugged in for me-and my room key. As I made my way down the corridor, I checked my messages. Found five from August.
Ness?
Call me back?
I heard what happened.
Ness? Send me some fucking news.
NESS CALL ME.
I smiled at my screen. He was roasting on some desert base or ambushing enemies, and yet he was thinking of me. August was as sweet as they came.
I feel like a freight train just rolled over me, but I’m alive. Thanks for checking on me.
I hesitated to send a heart emoji. August was my friend. Did girls send heart emojis to boyfriends? I’d never even sent one to Everest, and he was family.
“You gave us all a fright.”
I looked up from my phone and locked eyes with my uncle who was manning the bell desk. He rubbed the back of his neck. Was he expecting me to apologize?
“Lucy was out of her mind with worry-”
“Lucy was worried?” My voice sounded slightly unhinged. “She tried to stop me, Jeb. She told me girls shouldn’t play at boy’s games. Wonder where she got that from.”
Jeb blushed. Like a full-on blush. “We were trying to protect you, Ness. We didn’t want you to get hurt, and you did. You weren’t supposed to find a way of getting there.”
“So that’s why Everest vanished from the face of the Earth?”
He nodded.
“I may be your ward, Uncle, but this is my life.”
“So we should just stand back and watch you kill yourself? You think this is what your mother would’ve wanted?”
“I’m not going to die.”
“You kids… You think you’re so invincible, but you aren’t. Look at that sweet girl Everest was dating.”