Page 42 of When to Call a Blitz

She shakes her head innocently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t smell that?”

She shrugs. “Nope.”

On a mission, I rip through each room, smelling as I go. But I can’t place it. It’s one of those smells that don’t really getworseas you get closer, because they’re so overwhelming that they just smell the same the whole way through.

Realizing that it may just be me going crazy, I open all the windows in the house and grab some room spray, setting it off as I walk slowly through the whole house. I shut all the doors to all the rooms so that they can air out, and I hope for the best.

Letting it go, I go back to the dining table and sit with Juniper.

“So,” I say, still a little suspicious but not quite sure how to get the information out of her. “How are the racoon friends?”

She sighs. “They’re doing good. The babies are growing. They’re eating a lot.”

“You’re not still touching them, right?” I raise a brow, and Juniper shoots me a look from the corner of her eye that makes me think that yes, she is still messing with them. “Juniper you could get really hurt,” I tell her.

She shakes her head, sitting her crayon down. “No, I won’t. I’ve read about them, and we’re friends. Did you know that racoons are starting to domesticate themselves?” she asks, a sassy little grin on her face.

“I don’t know if that’s true,” I say, leaning back.

Juniper rolls her eyes. “Well it is true, whether you like it or not. And they’re more friendly than anyone thinks.”

“Okay, well, we’ll see,” I tell her, worry creeping up my spine. I love her adoration for animals, but I really don’t want her to get hurt.

“Besides,” she mutters, her crayon pressingveryhard into the paper of her book. “Steve Irwin was allowed to handle wild animals.”

“Steve Irwin was a professional. And yet still, one mistake and something happened to him that can’t be undone.”

Juni purses her lips, eyeing me. With ahumph,she goes back to her work without a word.

“What do you usually do on weekends?” I ask instead.

“I don’t know. Dad and I usually go for a walk, or Elara comes over. Or,” she places a finger on her tilted cheek, “We go to the aquarium.”

I check my phone, noticing that the afternoon is going by quickly. “Maybe not the aquarium today, but how about we see if Elara can come over?” I ask.

She nods ecstatically, excited at the prospect, and I send Briar a quick text.

23

EMMETT

“Ifeel like we haven’t gone out at all,” Cooper says as he leans against my locker, a longing glint in his eye.

“You went out just the other day,” I reply with an eyeroll. Cooper goes out all the time.

“I’m talking about you and me, dumbass.”

I sigh, shoving all of my things into my duffle bag. “Maybe next week, Coop.”

The last week has been intense and all I want to do is go home and sleep.

“How about tomorrow after the game?”

I want to say yes. Those are the best times to go out. Everyone is excited, the vibes are great, and we get a ton of free drinks. We’re just playing about an hour south in Washington, so I’ll be back before the crowds even hit.

But then I remember that I already have a commitment.

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