“He’s not going to break my heart. I knew exactly what this was when it started.”

“You think having sex with the only guy I’ve ever seen you go starry-eyed over is going to end any other way?”

I stare at him, defiant.

Noah shakes his head and scoffs. “Dammit, Evie.” He turns to leave the room.

“Wait.” I take a step closer to him. “Just…don’t be mad at Gray, okay? Please. I wanted this. I instigated it. You mean a lot to him. Don’t let this change anything between you two.”

Noah studies me for a minute. Something akin to a smile ghosts across his lips. “Yeah, you clearly couldn’t give a shit about him.”

I open my mouth, then shut it again.

Noah walks out of the room. I stay behind until I hear the murmur of voices, followed by the front door closing. When I walk back into the common space, Noah, Emmett, and Harrison are all gone. Gray is standing at the counter, eating bacon.

I approach him hesitantly, unsure of what to expect. Wordlessly, he moves a plate of pancakes and bacon toward me.

We eat in silence until I muster the courage to speak. “Did Noah say anything to you?”

“Told me to fly safe.”

“Oh. That was…nice?”

“The tone was more hope you crash.”

“Right. I think he’ll come around. He was just shocked.”

Gray makes a sound that could be an agreement or a disagreement before he continues eating. I glance at the clock on the stove. My stomach sinks when I see it’s already almost eleven thirty. What little food I’ve eaten sours.

“I’ve got to get some stuff together.” Gray disappears into his bedroom.

I continue to pick at my breakfast. This part would have sucked no matter what, but it feels especially fraught now. Did he hear my conversation with Noah?

When his bedroom door closes, I know it’s time. My steps from the kitchen to the front door are hesitant, weighted with dread.

“Got everything?” I paste a smile on.

“Yeah.” He’s gotten dressed in a T-shirt the same color as his name and a pair of black basketball shorts. A small duffel bag is slung over one shoulder.

“That’s good.” I fidget with the hem of his shirt until he makes a small sound. My cheeks burn as I let the material drop. “Sorry. I, um, forgot.”

For the first time since Noah’s surprise visit, he smiles. “Sure.”

“Fly safe—for real.”

The smile stays. “Thanks. I’ll call you.”

“You don’t have to keep calling. If—if you don’t want to.”

“I wouldn’t be calling if I didn’t want to, Evie.”

“Okay.” I sniff, starting to lose the battle with my emotions. “It’s, uh, nice hearing from you. I…worry.”