Page 76 of Dream Chaser
“Hey Iz,” Lexi calls.
“Hey.” I hop over an empty box.
“I swear it smells likeboyin here.” Harper sniffs the air dramatically.
“Like …good boy,” Lo murmurs behind a mug, “but definitely boy.”
“Oh, she’sstayinghere,” Ava says, raising one sharp brow.
I ignore every last one of them, beeline for the dumbwaiter, unlatch it, and open the door.
“Hold on. Did she just?—”
“She sure did,” Syd, grinning, cuts off London.
I attempt to scoop Wile into my arms like Skinner did, but end up with his paws on my shoulder, and I’m not really sure if he’s holding me up or I’m holding him. All I do know is I damn-near fall down as I lower him to the floor as gently as I can and end up on my ass with his paws still on my shoulders, looking at me a little—okay, a lot—shook.
“You okay, buddy?”
“Wait—was heinthere?” Riley asks as she sits up.
“You put your dog in afreight elevator?” Ava deadpans.
“It’s a customized accessibility solution,” I correct, petting my boy. “And he’s fine and will one day like it.”
“Sure, sure,” Mags drawls, “but did he stay the night?”
I sigh as I look at her. “It wasn’t really planned. I just got to0 excited and wanted to show him the place after Dad told me about the dumbwaiter, and?—”
“You mean thecustomized accessibility solution,” Ava cuts me off.
I stick my tongue out at her, and she smirks.
“Good to see you out and about.”
“The little littles are at preschool. I have”—she looks at her phone—“less than two hours before I go from full-time lawyerfor a pro football league to stay-at-home mommy wanting to hide in the bathroom, drinking out of a brown bag.”
I laugh, Riley gasps, and then everyone starts laughing.
Harper chimes in, “Toddlers are no joke.”
“And, obviously, I’d rather be home saving the world from make-believe dragons than fighting the fucking unknown.” Ava walks over and dramatically lies across Harper’s and London’s laps.
“You ever want to quit?” Lexi asks, walking over and sitting on the floor next to me.
“Every time a player pulls some stupid shit or the league allows things like this to …” She stops and sits straight up, face going almost pale.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Just thought of another angle.” She pulls her phone from the pocket of her wool coat and begins tapping away.
“You wanna clue us in?” Lo asks.
“All the shit in the news, the things that make you wanna live on a deserted island …” She makes an ick face. “Well, maybe not an island. But you know what I mean. Somewhere the world can’t touch them. Or some piece of shit gets away with hurting so fucking many because he’s anchored himself to?—”
“We get it. What’s the angle?” London asks.
Ava looks up from her phone and at London. “Maybe this isn’t about the team or the league. Maybe someone’s got a score to settle with someone close to it.” She then glances at Harper, whose face goes pale. “Which would make sense as to why CJ, Matthew, and Remington are still here.”
