Page 91 of Play Book

“Dammit.” I lean over and lightly press my lips to hers. “Sorry about this. I better go see what happened.”

“Of course. Do you want me to go with you?”

I hesitate. “You should go back to sleep. No need for both of us to be up at—” I glance at the screen of her phone. “Three fifteen in the morning.”

“Call me tomorrow, okay? Let me know what’s going on.”

“I will.” I kiss her again. “Tonight was a great night, though. And I’ll make it up to you.”

“You don’t have to make anything up to me. Go take care of Ally.”

“See you later.”

I head out to my car feeling grumpier than usual. And worried. And stressed.

So much for morning sex.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Canyon

I drive home faster than I should, equal parts annoyed and worried. Ally had been excited about her first sleepover, and I’d spoken to her friend’s mom, letting her know that Ally had only been living with me a short time. She’d said she would keep an eye on them, so I’m aggravated that something had gone wrong.

“Ally?” I let myself into my condo and find Stevie sitting at the island in the kitchen. “Hey. God, I’m sorry. I left my phone in the living room, so I didn’t hear it ring.”

“It’s all right.” She yawns. “But I need to get some sleep.”

“I owe you one, Stevie.”

“It’s all right. She was upset. I think I calmed her down but…”

“But?”

“I guess some of her new friends Googled her mom and found all the gory details of Carly’s overdose. Her criminal record. Everything. Pre-teens are better than the CIA at finding dirt.”

“Fuck. And they gave her a hard time?”

“Yeah.” She nods.

“Is she in her room?”

“She was in the bathroom washing her face and putting on pajamas.”

“All right. I’ll go talk to her. Thanks again.”

“No worries.”

I let her out and then pad down the hall to Ally’s room. Her door is open, but the lights are out and I can see her huddled form under the blankets.

“Hey, kiddo. You feel like talking?”

“No.”

“You sure?” I walk in and sit on the edge of the bed. “I’m a pretty good listener.”

“I hate this school!” she hisses, burying her face in the pillow.

“Tell me what happened.”

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