28. Ronan
“ C ab’s waiting downstairs,” Connor hollers from the kitchen.
Stuffing my ruined sheets into a trash bag—there’s no way that paint is coming out and I don’t give a shit—I sling my duffel bag over my shoulder and walk out of my room.
Ryan is standing in her doorway in her crab shirt, half asleep, her hair mussed. “I just wanted to say bye.” Her voice has that early-morning scratchiness I love.
“Hey, I was gonna text you.” My unease stirs. “I didn’t think you’d come home last night.”
“It was late. Around four.”
My shoulders sink with relief. Becca left before three, so Ryan wouldn’t have seen or heard anything. Even though we ended things, I don’t ever want to hurt her. “So … last night with Kyle was good?”
Ryan dips her head and smiles shyly. “Yeah. He’s a nice guy.”
“A real prospect?”
“We’ll see.” She reaches up to smooth the wrinkles in my T-shirt. “You’ve gotta go.”
“I do.” Still can’t believe I’m going along with Connor’s harebrained plan. “Keep in touch, and good luck with your exams.”
“You kidding? I have my own condo now. I’m gonna ace them.”
I hesitate and then, dropping my duffel bag, rope an arm around her shoulders and pull her to my chest. “Take care of yourself, and text me anytime you need to talk, or for whatever reason. I’m serious.” I press my lips to the top of her head. Her hair smells like her strawberry shampoo.
“You too.” Her arms tighten around my waist for a moment before she pulls away. “September, Connor?”
“Yup. No parties or boys while I’m away.”
She rolls her eyes.
“We took out the trash. Maria will be here around ten to clean.”
“Oh, by the way, I’m hiring someone to steam-clean the jizz out of the couch, and I’m sending you the bill.”
“There’s no jizz on the couch,” Connor argues.
“You didn’t see what I saw when I came home. Believe me , there’s jizz on that couch,” she counters with a shudder.
“Fine.” Shoving the rest of a banana into his mouth, Connor strolls out the door, hollering, “See you in a few, baby sis.”
I collect my bag. “Stay out of trouble.”
Ryan folds her arms. “I’d say the same to you, but …”
With a wink at her, I trail out the door after Connor.
He slings an arm around my shoulders. “Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?”
I cringe and shove him away. He’s way too loud for this early in the morning. “Don’t make me regret this.”