Page 41 of American Hellhound
Her heart somersaulted, and she scowled to herself. Rachel wasn’t right about the panty thing – shewasn’t. “What’s up?” she asked, praying she sounded cool. Cooler than she felt, anyway, her skin suddenly warm beneath her sweater.
“Um,” he said, and he sounded hesitant. Uncertain. “Well.”
“Ghost?”
He took a deep breath, and then in a rush: “Does the babysitting offer still stand?”
“Of course.”
“Shit, I’m sorry. But I’ve got a job tonight, and I can’t find anyone to watch him, and–”
“I’ll be happy to.”
“I’m sorry,” he repeated.
“Don’t be. What’s your address?” She scribbled it onto her history notes when he gave it to her. “What time should I be there?”
“Uh…is nine too late?”
“Nope. I’ll be there.”
Awkward pause.
“Do you need a ride?” he asked.
“I…” She started to say no. But then she thought about asking one of her parents to drive her over to what, now that she looked at the address, wasn’t the best part of town. “Actually, could you pick me up? That might be easier.”
“Yeah. Aidan and I’ll come get you and bring you back here.”
“Great. How’s he feeling?”
“Not back to fighting weight, but better.” Ghost’s voice relaxed a fraction. “No fever today.”
“Hey, that’s awesome,” she said, smiling at her bedroom wall. She hoped he could hear the smile in her voice.
She thought maybe so, because she thought she detected one in his. “Yeah. I hate it when he feels like shit.” It was soft and low, almost like a confession. “Be there at eight-forty-five?”
“Sounds good. I’ll meet you under the pear trees.”
He let out an obviously-relieved breath. “Thanks, Mags. You’re a lifesaver.”
The way he called her “Mags” sent a pleasant buzz through her chest.
~*~
“Hi, Maggie!” Aidan exclaimed when Maggie opened the passenger door of Ghost’s red-and-white truck. He looked better than he had a few days ago, eyes bright and face a normal shade.
“Hi, sweetie,” she said, returning his smile as she climbed in the cab. Ghost had the heat running and the warmth enveloped her the moment she shut the door. “You feeling better?”
“Yeah. I didn’t throw up today!” he said happily.
“That’s wonderful. Throwing up sucks.”
He nodded, expression grave. “Yeah.”
Maggie glanced over the top of his curly head and met Ghost’s smiling look. “Hi,” she said, quieter.
His smile widened a fraction. “Hi.”
