Violence gleamed in his eyes. “Besides have a little chat with him?”
I knew that look. The chat would involve fists rather than words. “Are you sure you want to do that? He sounds like a pretty decent guy, and Blood Lines around his house isn’t that uncommon. And I kind of understood Reeve’s point today, about not being able to do the back-and-forth with you anymore. It might be time to let her go.”
He peered at me for a long while before saying, “Do you really think you’re in a good enough place to be throwing out advice? No, don’t bother with a response. We both know the answer. So why don’t I live my life, and you live yours?” With that, he stomped away.
Great. I doubted I could have messed that up more.
A chirp from my phone. I pulled the device from my pocket and read Dinner’s ready! I made your favorite. Lasagna and garlic bread. I also asked Ankh if we could use his private balcony, and he said yes. I’ve got everything set and ready, so come out here as soon as you’re able.
My heart twisted. Oh, no. She didn’t know. She— Another text came in a second later. I’m sorry, dear. I must have missed your text about canceling. Well, no worries. We’ll do it another night.
Tears welled in my eyes. Nana had slaved in the kitchen, preparing my favorite meal. She’d probably decorated Mr. Ankh’s balcony with twinkling Christmas lights, just because she knew I wasn’t the biggest fan of the dark. That was how wonderful she was. And I’d canceled on her. For this.
I was a terrible person.
I moved back into the corner and called her. “Nana, I am so sorry. I’m at Cole’s gym. He asked to meet. I thought it would be just the two of us, and I’d be able to find out what’s wrong with him, but it’s a meeting with all the slayers.”
“Ali,” she said on a sigh. “It’s okay. I understand.”
“I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
Another sigh. “We’ll have leftovers tomorrow, and we can talk then.”
“Yes. I would love that.”
We disconnected.
“Hey,” a voice said from behind me.
Gavin. Every muscle in my body stiffened as I turned and faced him. I made sure to stare at my feet. “Hey.”
“I came over to tell you I’ve got a date with a very hot chick tomorrow, but I’d be willing to do the unthinkable and break it. For you.”
Uh, what? “Don’t do that. And I thought you were mad at me for what I did to Veronica.”
“I was never mad. That would require a range of emotions I never feel. I thought we’d covered that fact about me. So, about our date—”
I shook my head, oddly charmed. And now mad at myself. “We’re not going out.”
“Look at me and say that. Maybe then I’ll believe you.”
I responded automatically, glancing up. Our gazes locked, and...nothing. No vision.
My shoulders sagged with relief, but Gavin frowned.
Cole stalked out of the locker room, snagging everyone’s attention. Conversations ceased.
His gaze snagged on me—no vision—skidded to Gavin and hardened. He climbed into the boxing ring and scanned the now silent, expectant crowd. He looked like he’d gotten in a fight since I’d last seen him. His features were tight with tension, his hair sticking out in spikes, and his clothing ripped.
I quashed my curiosity.
“All right, everyone,” he called. “Listen up. We have a new member on our team. You will welcome him with open arms, and you will keep your fists—and weapons—to yourself.”
Murmurs of astonishment surfaced.
A new member? Someone we’d want to hurt?
The locker-room door opened, and out stepped Justin Silverstone.
Gasps of shock replaced the murmurs.
Justin nodded stiffly, his puppy-dog eyes guarded. “Before you judge, hear me out. I made a mistake when I left, and I know it, and I’m sorry. What was done to Ali’s grandfather...her home... I had no part in that, you have my word.”