Page 113 of Taking Sides

She kisses me back, then speaks against my mouth. “You’re going to be late for practice if you don’t leave soon.”

I groan. I hate that I have to leave her right now. Or ever. “Do you want to hang out when I’m done?”

Her small nod isn’t all that convincing.

“Landon will be okay,” I assure her—and maybe myself as well.

When I pick up Whitney a few hours later, her spirits are lifted. She climbs into my truck and leans over to kiss me, then breaks right into it.

“I talked to Landon this afternoon, and he seemed better. His foster parents talked with social services, and they all agreed that he could stay with Grady until something more permanent can be worked out. I guess one of the other kids is a real jerk and is always breaking stuff and causing trouble. It’s bad but not as bad as it could have been, you know? Grady said the foster parents seemed to genuinely want what’s best for Landon.”

I work my jaw back and forth. Maybe that’s true, but I’m still pissed thinking about the kid not having the love and attention he deserves. At least he has Grady and Whitney.

“I’m glad things are looking up.”

“Me too.” She lets out a sigh of relief as she sits back.

I reach over and lace my fingers through hers as I drive us across town.

“Have you heard from your brother?” I don’t want to bring it up, given how happy she looks, but it’s all the guys could talk about today, so it’s on my mind.

“No.” Her smile drops. “Still nothing. I did talk to my dad, but he just muttered something about Victor being an embarrassment and wouldn’t tell me if he’d talked to him. So I hung up on him.”

“You hung up on your dad?” I ask, letting out a small laugh.

“Kind of.” She gives me a sheepish smile. “I said bye, but I didn’t wait for his reply. Does that count?”

“Sure, baby.” I pull into the driveway at Nick and Ruby’s house.

“Where are we?” Whitney asks, seeming to just now notice we aren’t at my place.

“It’s poker night.”

Her brows lift.

“The girls are here too.” I turn off the engine and unbuckle before I open my door. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

THIRTY

“I have so many questions for you,” Ruby says, sitting forward. Her long red hair falls over her shoulders, and her eyes glitter with excitement. She’s impossible not to like, even as I get the feeling I’m about to be interrogated.

“Questions about what?” I ask, sneaking a glance at Conrad across the basement. The guys are playing poker at a table and the girls have gathered on the sectional. Me, Ruby, and Hannah. They have me sandwiched, sitting on either side, and they’re both staring at me intently.

“Conrad,” they say in unison.

“We held back last night because we didn’t want to scare you off,” Hannah says.

“But now we’re dying to know everything,” Ruby adds.

“What’s he like?” Hannah asks, followed by, “Is it serious? It feels serious. How did you get him to talk to you?”

Ruby chuckles softly. “I said I had questions for her.”

“Same, obviously. So many questions.”

I open my mouth but find I don’t know what to say.

“Sorry if we just bombarded you.” Hannah gives me a sheepish smile. “I love that guy so much, and I’m just so happy for him. I cannot tell you how many people I tried to set him up with.”