Chapter 60
CHAPTER SIXTY
“Finn. How is she today?” I shoulder his door closed behind me for privacy. Like my arm couldn’t handle it.
He launches a ball toward the basket on his wall, and I catch the rebound by reflex.
“Seems okay. Less groggy-looking lately. No singing yet.”
I release a breath and underhand him the ball. “Kit’s still looking out for her?”
“They’re practically attached at the hip.”
“Good. What else does she need?”
“Between Kit and Mia, I can’t imagine anything. Got that tea delivered, so their floor is stocked for a while.”
I send a smile. “’Preciate that, buddy.” I go to open the door.
“So”—his shoulder twitches—“Davis Powell …”
I suppress a shudder. “I don’t want details.”
A quick nod. “Should I keep this up?”
“Yeah. If you don’t mind. I’m gonna order some markers for you to smuggle into her lounge.”
“Got it.”
“And, Finn? Really. Thank you.”
“Dude, stop. Pretty sure I owe you, like, my firstborn by now.”
I step to clap his shoulder and then escape to the hallway.
Back in my room, Levi’s waiting for me at his desk. “You’ll never guess what Sophie had to say.”
I groan. “Not this again.” Exhausted from my last conversation, I fall back on the couch in loser position.
But this is my last day of moping. Tomorrow, I’m picking a fight with the crusty old boxing bag in the gym.
That’s gotta be more productive than lying here like roadkill.
Or punching my nosy roommate, who still won’t quit. “She’s with Powell now, so—”
He drops a brick of a book on the desk. “No, you idiot. That’s already over.”
I smother the relief like a house fire and risk a glance up. He’s rarely this harsh.
“She said she wants us to take you to Colorado for spring break. Never knew we already bought tickets, remember? She wants you to have a ‘real rest.’” Air quotes. “She’s still trying to take care of you.”
A hysterical laugh bubbles out as I dig in my pocket for my phone. “I can’t believe I forgot. I owe you for those blasted tickets. I might could pay you now since …” I trail off and tap my bank app.
“Put that away.” Confident as a senator.
I send him a glare, like Don’t boss me around.
“You’re not paying me back. But I do need you to get on that plane.”
“Is she going?”
“Yes.”
He cannot be serious. “I’d sooner go to Mars with no return flight. Grow potatoes like Matt Damon.”
“Funny. After we get back, you can quit the fam for good if you need to. No grief from me. But I need to speak with Kit’s father, and I’d rather not meet him solo.”
“I thought this was about—”
“Please, buddy? I hate asking when you’re in a bad spot.”
Wait … “Jeeves. Are you gonna ask her dad the question?”
“I don’t know yet.”
I wanna be happy for him. I really do. Hands dragging down my face, I let out a breath-long grunt and run out of air. I’d hate myself for letting him down, but I’m not that guy anymore. The selfless guy. The good friend.
I close my eyes to pray, but … what? Where do I even start?
Levi’s voice drops. “Listen, I need backup. Sophie’s meet-the-parents …”
I peek through my fingers. I’ve never seen him feeling this small.
“Okay. I’ll go.”
Oddly, agreeing to help finally moves the dial—like something inside me shifts back into place.
“Thanks, bro.” He’s audibly relieved. “I really appreciate you having my back.”
I lift myself to standing and plod down the hall. “Haymitch.”
He’s hunched over his brightly lit desk, but one look at me and he snaps his books shut. “Samwise.” A good-friend move.
I plunk down onto his sofa. “Jeeves still wants us to go to Colorado for spring break. Meet the parents and all that.”
His brow lifts.
“Yeah, traveling with her sounds about as fun as a root canal.”
No one is amused with my dramatics.
“It’s a big deal for Jeeves, so I need to suck it up and make it happen.
I think I can survive if I can stay in a little box.
” I motion with my hands. A whole week …
“The thing is, I’m crazy right now, and I need someone to shield me in my box as much as to shield everyone else from me.
” Last year’s Haymitch would’ve ducked out of the drama. Now he’s up for it. I know he is.
“I wish I could help. Wasn’t gonna wait till May to get back to Mobile, so Jeeves never bought me a ticket.”
“Who’s gonna keep me in check if I’m being a punk? Who’s gonna make sure Jeeves and everybody get what they need?”
He studies me. “You mean, who’s gonna be you?”
I frown. Is that what I do?
What I did maybe.
“I’m sorry, Samwise. You know all of us will love you no matter what. All of us.”
I pretend not to follow his meaning. “You’re good, buddy. Can’t miss a chance to see your woman.” I clap him on the shoulder on my way out.
Better quit my moping early and hit that boxing corner. Time to figure out how to punch stuff.
At a ding I whip my wrist up to read the text on my watch. It’s just Levi. You’d think after almost three weeks I would quit doing that.
Levi
I bought us five plane tickets.
Austin said yes. Levi is a miracle worker.
Wait, no. You are. Thank you.
Send me a request on Venmo
I’ll cover flights and the SUV. You could take care of groceries for Kit’s family and our agenda?
Well, that’s generous of him.
Super nice of you. How did you convince Austin to come? Is there hope?
No more or less than before. He’s coming because this trip is important to me.
I deflate. Of course. Austin is the best of friends, even with smoke shooting from his ears. Or whatever’s going on over there.
I guess I’m about to find out soon.