“I can’t go back to my house,” Lina said as soon as they were in his car. “Take me to yours.”

Mrs. Hunter came from the back of the house when they stepped into the foyer. “Oh, sweetheart,” she whispered when she saw Lina. “Are you okay?”

“We’re going to bed,” Phil said as he led Lina towards the stairs.

“Good idea. The guest room is all made up. If she needs towels—”

“She’s sleeping with me,” Phil said before following Lina up the stairs.

“They thought we were devil worshippers,” Lina told Mrs. Hunter a few days later. “Their dad sent them to get us. They were going to kill us—a sacrifice or something. The police found this whole setup in their barn. It was because of my mom’s astrology.”

“No, sweetheart,” Mrs. Hunter said, covering Lina’s hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “It was because they were evil people. They were just using that as an excuse to do bad things.”

“But if my mom wasn’t an astrologer, they wouldn’t have come for us.” Lina folded her arms across her chest. “Phil said I could start coming to church with you.”

Several weeks later, Lina donned a pair of shorts and a T-shirt of Phil’s before making her way downstairs. She was approaching the kitchen when she heard his father’s voice and paused outside the doorway. “You can’t do that. I know you love her and she’s been through something no one should ever have to go through, but jeopardizing your future serves no one.”

“I’m not jeopardizing my future,” Phil said.

“Giving up Duke is jeopardizing your future,” Mr. Hunter insisted. “It’s everything you’ve worked for. You can’t just walk away. If she loves you, she won’t ask you to. Your mother and I have been more than understanding with the two of you over the past month. This is a Catholic home and we’re allowing you to sleep in the same bed with—”

“We’re not doing anything,” Phil said. “She can’t sleep without me.”

“Well, she needs to. She’s welcome to stay here with us when you go away. Your mother will take good care of her.”

“I’m not leaving her,” Phil said, his voice calm. “I’m going to Maryland. I’ve already called the coach.”

“You’re committed to Duke!”

“Not anymore.”

“Are you asleep?” Phil asked, bringing Lina out of her recollection.

“No.” She took his hand and held it between both of hers. “Let’s go home.”

“Are you back together?”

Lina opened her eyes, lifting her head from Phil’s chest as she adjusted to her surroundings and Logan, his eyes narrowed in confusion, staring at her from the doorway between the kitchen and family room.

“Are you?” he repeated.

“Gives us a minute, Logan,” Phil said, his voice husky with sleep. “We’ve barely slept.”