Page 34 of Whistle

He stepped away, and only then did my thoughts un-muddy.

“Oh, and, Goldilocks?” he called.

I tilted my head in his direction.

“I want you packed and by the front door at eight a.m.,” he said. “You’re going home, and that’s final.”

I nodded.

It was only after I watched him walk out into the Malibu surf that I realized what he’d said.

Home.

10

Elite Group Chat

Jamie: Bros.

Jamie: Are we just not going to talk about this?

Max: This ain’t therapy.

Kruger: This is a safe place, bro. Share your feelings.

Prism: *peace sign emoji*

Wes: What’s up, bro?

Max: Why do you all encourage him?

Rory: You can share your feelings too, Max.

Max left the chat

Wes added Max to the chat

Ryan: What do you want to talk about, bro?

Jamie: UHHH the fact that Rush and Coach abandoned us for two days and then came back with Malibu Barbie.

Landry: They did not abandon us!

Win: WHAT

Max: WTF

Wes: Glad I added you back now, aren’t you, Maxi?

Max: Wesley Sinclair, did you know about this and not tell me?

Wes: We were busy.

Win: *barf emoji*

Kruger: Now ain’t the time to broadcast your sexual proclivities. This is a bro-mergency.

Arsen: Proclivities…?

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