Page 29 of Wild About You
His chuckle comes over the speakers. “Yeah. Didn’t mean to worry you, but I wanted you to be the first to know that the doctor cleared me to play in Tuesday’s game.”
“That’s great.” I fall quiet as I let the news sink in, and I realize why he’s telling me first. “You won’t be able to keep an eye on Everly anymore while I’m gone.”
“Yeah,” he says the word slowly. “I’m sorry.”
“No, no. It’s great news for you and for the team. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
After saying our goodbyes, I hang up and finish the drive. Ash isn’t here yet and the house is dark.
“Ev?” I call as I walk through the downstairs. I head upstairs, but her door is closed, lights out. I shower and change, assuming she’ll come out to say hello by the time I’m done. She doesn’t.
I knock on her bedroom door, but there’s no answer. I open it an inch. “Ev?”
Her room is empty.
“That’s weird,” I say out loud to myself.
I call her as I head back downstairs to recheck the rooms. Panic starts to rise when she doesn’t answer, and I can’t find her anywhere in the house. I check every room, even Ash’s. I come up short when he fills the doorway.
“Hey.” He’s already changed and has a beer in one hand.
“Have you seen Everly?”
“She’s not here.” He takes a drink. “There’s a note on the fridge.”
I backtrack to the kitchen and tear off the top Post-it with her note.Out with River. Be back by midnight.
I call her phone, but there’s no answer. I send a text and wait. All while Ash leans against the counter, drinking his beer.
“You look like your head is going to explode.” Fucker smirks at me.
“I can’t stand that dude. I don’t trust him.”
“Ev can handle herself.” Ash hands me a beer. “You just got a night off, man. Enjoy it.”
“Declan’s back. He’s playing next week.”
“No shit?” Ash’s smile pulls higher, then falls. “Oh shit. Ev.”
“Yeah.”
He shrugs. “Maybe she doesn’t need someone checking in on her. She’s mostly stayed out of trouble, and she is eighteen.”
“It’s only been a couple of weeks since she destroyed school property, or have you already forgotten?” I shake my head. “She needs someone looking out for her. Someone she can trust and that will keep her in check.”
“Any ideas?”
“One,” I admit.
Ash bites back laughter. “Piper? She hates you.”
“But she doesn’t hate Everly.”
10
NOT IN THAT DRESS, YOU’RE NOT
PIPER
