“I hope this isn’t a surprise? That my sister is taking Axel home?” I felt bad for Parker. According to Austin, Axel was doing great with Parker’s workout routine.

“It’s not. Part of the reason we went for a run—I knew he would have a hard car ride. Let me text the crew that you guys are here. They can bring down Axel’s stuff.”

Tinsley and Austin came down with two canvas bags full of stuff.

Austin shook my father’s hand and Tinsley started showing Raven the stuff in the bags. “This bag has the normal stuff, his bowls and food and leashes and harnesses. This other one has the silly stuff. Hats, t-shirts, shoes, and toys.”

Raven grabbed a daisy petal hat and used the Velcro to secure it around Axel’s head. He was content to have it on and looked at each of us with a wagging tail.

“He’s a ham,” Dad commented. “He’ll fit right in with Willa’s pugs.”

While the trade-off was happening, I noticed Austin didn’t look me in the eyes. Bad things. Bad vibes. I wasn’t wrong about our last conversation. Doomsday was settling over me. Austin grabbed my bag from our trunk and Parker helped get Axel in the car. Raven and I hugged. In no time, they were pulling away, Axel’s head was out the window with his tongue wagging in the wind.

“They seemed sweet. How are you?” Tinsley came close and wrapped her arm around me.

I showed her my much more sensible bandages. “Healing.”

When I met her eyes, I saw a bit of pity. She knew. Whatever was going down with Austin, she knew. My stomach dropped another notch.

I had the irrational thought to run away. If I left right now, the next part wouldn’t be able to happen. We started walking up the stairs. When we got to the top, instead of coming with us, Tinsley and Parker left Austin and me at their door.

“Aren’t you coming in for a shower?” Parker was always washing up after sweating.

“Actually, I’m going down to the park to do some stretching. Tinsley is coming, too.”

Tinsley held up a book and wiggled it.

“Okay.” There was no denying it now. Austin let himself in with a key and held the door open for me.

I followed him inside and waved to the departing Parker and Tinsley. Austin walked me through their very nice apartment. Second floor, huge windows, and lots of interior brick walls.

He led me to a door and opened it. Inside was a bedroom. All my stuff was carefully laid out. I had a desk, my computer, all the stuff I had left at Austin’s.

I took a deep breath. None of his things were there. It was all me.