Page 75 of Even Ground

“Those two are for life. Just like Josh and Delaney.” His tone softens, as if he’s reassuring me.

“That’s what I thought.”

“How’s class?”

I let out a growl and then laugh. “You know. Same old. I’m learning a lot, but the tutor isn’t the person I thought she was.”

He says nothing at first. I never told him about the way Judith reacted when I came home—I told no one. I thought it would just cause drama when all I want to do is forget about it and get on with proving myself.

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“Nothing. I just think you should never meet your heroes.”

He chuckles. “You met me, and I didn’t let you down.”

I facepalm. “You clown.”

My phone buzzes.

Delaney: Skype?

I roll over. The laptop’s on the bed beside me, and I open the screen.

It only takes a moment before Skype tells me there’s an incoming call.

“Delaney’s calling. I’ve gotta go.”

He laughs. “Want me to tell her you’re busy.”

“No.” I laugh. “It’s still weird you’re in her house.”

“I’m quite enjoying it. I’ll let you go and talk to Delaney. Catch up some other time?”

I nod. “Sounds great.”

“Goodnight, Pania.”

“Goodnight.”

With our call disconnected, I grab a hair tie and pull my hair into a ponytail. I need a moment to gather my thoughts. As far as I know, Delaney doesn’t know Reece and I have kept in touch. I don’t want to keep anything from her, but at the same time I don’t want her thinking it’s a bigger deal than it actually is.

Especially when I don’t really understand it.

I prop myself up on one arm and answer the call.

“That took ages. I nearly gave up. What are you up to?” She’s sitting on her bed with a bag of potato chips beside her. That’s my girl.

“Not much. I’ll just grab some chips from the cupboard and join you.”

So many times we used to talk over the phone, even when we lived in the same town, sitting in front of our respective televisions and stuffing our faces with potato chips. It’s nice that, sometimes, things are the same.

I walk into the kitchen, collecting the bag before returning to the bed. Tradition dictates that I’d be in my pyjamas for this, but instead, I just drop my jeans to the floor and crawl into bed where I perform the manoeuvre to remove my bra from under my T-shirt.

And then I let out a long breath.

“Better?” Delaney laughs as I fluff up the pillow and lean back.

“Much. How are things with you?”

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