Page 18 of Did You See Evie

Soon other members of the team arrive. Connie and Shana and Delilah. Beth’s mother is the last to arrive, dropping off both her daughter and Evie.

“Evie’s mother couldn’t make it?” I ask her, after the girls have taken off.

“She’s working, apparently,” Beth’s mother says. “Poor Evie was worried she wouldn’t have a ride to the school.”

“One of us could have picked her up,” Joanna says.

“It’s not a problem,” Beth’s mother says, walking back to her car. “It’s good for Beth to have a friend.”

I watch as Evie and Beth roll out their sleeping bags and blankets, side by side. Their friendship, once again, reminds me of the connection I had with Nadia.

My phone buzzes in my pocket—another reminder about tonight’s plan—and my stomach turns. I never would have thought our friendship, once innocent and uplifting, would turn to this.

* * *

By nine thirty, everyone is eating the last of the pizza. Joanna went into my office to prepare a bag of popcorn for the film we’re about to watch. The buttery scent lingers in the air as she walks past.

I’m not sure what I was expecting. It’s not like I had this type of adventure during my own youth, but I’d imagined the girls would be a little more active. Maybe running around the gymnasium doing tricks or playing a loud game of charades. Even a good-natured game of truth or dare. Instead, the thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds are broken off into different pods, each of them staring at their phones.

Manning Academy’s no cell-phone policy during school hours is strict, but that doesn’t extend to after-school events, and the girls are soaking up the opportunity. Every so often, they’ll jump up and start recording silly dances, but most of the time they’re just staring at the screens, laughing.

“Rocking party, huh?” Joanna says, her eyebrows raised.

“It’s really sad. They’re addicted to those things and don’t even see it. Problem is, sometimes I think I’m as bad as they are.” My phone pings in my pocket, and Joanna nods. “See what I mean?”

It’s another message from Nadia:Leave the back door propped open. Will arrive after midnight.

As if she hasn’t given me the same instructions time and time again. I wonder if she’s waiting for me to forfeit at the last second. Then again, she knows I can’t do that. I won’t. My present job is too valuable to risk losing it on account of my past.

“Is that Connor?” Joanna asks, still staring at me.

“No,” I say, stuffing the phone into my pocket, as if she’ll somehow figure out I’m lying. “Just some stupid notification.”

“Rex said the two of them were hanging out tonight,” she says. “You know, since we’re booked.”

“That’s good,” I say. Connor hadn’t mentioned his plans, but we’ve been so busy the past couple of weeks getting ready for the championship game. Anytime we’re around his friends these days, we’re usually talking about the wedding. I’m happy the guys will finally have a night to themselves.

“I guess we should start the movie,” Joanna says. “Maybe they’ll fall asleep faster with it on.”

“Or maybe we should spike their Gatorades with melatonin,” I joke, trying to break the tension I feel all around me. When I look up at Joanna, I see she’s barely listening to me, her eyes watching the girls in a distracted daze. Maybe I’m not the only one with things on my mind.

“Everything okay with you?”

Joanna flits her head at me and puts on a smile. “I’m fine. By the end of the week, I get like this.”

“At least now that the season is over, we’ll get a little more time to ourselves,” I say. “Warm-ups won’t get started until summer.”

Joanna nods. She hasn’t officially signed on to help me next year, which surprises me. I asked her more than a month ago. We’ve had a great partnership this season, and I know she enjoys being around the girls as much as I do, but I have no idea what is going on in her life outside of the team.

“Coach?” One of the girls’ voices echoes through the gym. “Can we walk around the school?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Come on,” Tara chimes in. “It would be so much fun to wander around when no one is here.”

“And spooky,” adds Amber.

“We’re all staying together in the gym. Those are the rules.”

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