Page 83 of Never Say Never
“I guess I better be. A bet is a bet.” She drops her arms. “But let’s wait until I’m back to talk more, okay? I’m getting picked up soon and it’s been a crazy twenty-four hours.”
I’m not going to push her, and what’s the point, anyway, when she’s about to leave. “Yes, for sure. We can start heading back now?”
She nods, and we walk back in relative quiet, other than the sound of my dribbling the ball to keep my hands busy.
I wouldn’t call it a comfortable silence because there’s a nervous energy running between us, and it continues in the remaining moments she’s at the house. Or maybe it’s just me who’s nervous.
Don’t fuck this up, Rawley.
Thankfully, she and Landon fill the time with small talk as we all sit on the couch waiting for the bodyguard who’ll drive her home.
And when her car comes, and I walk her outside, I just feel relieved that I haven’t found a way to mess things up.
Because now I can’t wait for her to get back.
“Bye,” she says, giving me a quick hug. “I’ll text you.”
“Bye, Avie. I’ll text back.”
She shakes her head laughing as she ducks into the car.
After Avery leaves,I wander back inside to my spot on the couch.
“She get off okay?”
“Yeah, although I need to catch you up on the details of what happened last night.”
We’d shared a little bit this morning already, but I’d followed Avery’s lead then—and she didn’t seem to want to go into everything. Now, I give him the full picture.
“Fuck, well, she can crash here as much as she needs to when she’s back.”
Still uncertain how things are going to play out, I just give him a nod. “Thanks.”
“What’s your plan for the rest of the day?”
We have a couple of free days left before the next OTA, our second of three. “I was thinking I would hang out with Connor, but I don’t see him?”
“Yeah, he took off when you were at the courts. Not sure where.”
Huh, maybe he’s just running errands or something?
“Okay, I think I might just work out here today, if you want to join,” I offer.
“I’m good, I was in there when—” Landon’s phone rings, interrupting him. “Oh, it’s Johnson. And he’s FaceTiming? That’s weird.”
He accepts the call. “Hey, J, here with Rawls, so be careful what you say.” He winks at me and moves the phone so I’m in view.
“Actually, that’s good. Is Connor there, by any chance?”
Now I’m curious. What could Johnson want with all three of us?
“He’s not.” Landon’s voice makes it evident he’s confused too. “What’s going on? Is Grace okay?”
“Yes, yes, sorry Grace is fine. Perfect. I just…I’m running out of time to talk to you guys about something, and I don’t want to do it at the Waves’ facility.”
“We can update Connor later,” I offer. “What’s up?”
“Landon, you sitting down?”
