If I was being honest, all I really wanted to do right now was be with Shanti—even more than I wanted to go home and run through my ritual or worry about playing time. Because even though Shanti’s thumbs pressing into my palm had felt dangerous, she’d also managed to smooth something out. To press past the pain and through to something deeper.

It hadn’t felt comfortable. But it hadn’t felt terrible, either.

The distance between me and her felt like miles right now, though. I could tell she was still crying and upset. I knew the right thing to do was to go over to her. To say something or do something. But I had no idea what to say in times like this. Silence was easier. I took a breath and went with the only thing I did know much about.

As I took a step toward her, she turned toward the wall, arms still folded and head tilted back, like she was trying to catch any remaining tears. I moved beside her and gave her a slight nudge, my arm to hers. Just a little body contact to let her know I was here.

She turned her head toward me, a question on her face. I gave her another nudge and paired it with a half smile. She pushed back into my arm with enough pressure to make my feet have to shift over a little.

“Okay, I see how it is,” I said, a little impressed.

Her smile grew for a moment and then fell again. She swallowed. “She’s right, you know. You two are way more alike than you and I are.”

I nodded. “Yeah. That’s probably true.”

Her eyes focused on my lips and grew sad. “I get it if you need to go or whatever—”

I did want to get out of here. I just wanted to do that with Shanti. Even if it meant pissing Kat off more. Even if it scared the shit out of me.

“So let’s go.”

Her eyes met mine. “What?”

“Let’s get out of here. Can you drive?” Holy shit. Okay. We’re doing this.

She took a few seconds to find her words. “Yeah—yes. I haven’t had anything to drink.”

“Cool. Lead the way.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Shanti had grabbed the keys to the van, and while she shoved a bunch of gear and stuff into the back seat, I buckled my seat belt and calmed my breathing. My heart was beating hard like it usually did when I got into a car, though I wasn’t entirely sure it was because of the usual reasons. Shanti climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine. I watched her command this tank of a vehicle, operating the clunky stick shift without a second thought. I found it kind of sexy, which made me even more nervous.

Pulling away from the curb, she asked, “Where to?”