"I know," Renee said.

She eased onto the cushion Matt had abandoned while Matt rummaged in the kitchen. Matt returned with a cold pack. Renee smiled as she took it and pressed it to the knuckles on her right hand. Pain pulled at the corner of her mouth, but her expression was otherwise calm as she flexed her fingers. Neil expected Matt and Dan to smother Renee with alarm and concern, but neither one of them asked if she was okay.

"Tell me if this is going to be a problem," Dan said.

Renee shook her head. "Not for us. Whatever it is, it's strictly personal. He'll be back on the court tomorrow."

Neil wondered what alternate universe he'd stumbled into. "Andrew hit you."

"A couple times," Renee said. "I forgot how fast he is when he's high."

Neil looked from Renee's smile to her rainbow-streaked hair to the cross necklace hanging around her throat. He didn't understand. Renee warned him not to overestimate how good she was, but everyone else said Renee was the gentle soul of the team. She'd been nothing but conciliatory since he first met her. Up until now, the only questionable part about her was her friendship with Andrew.

"Renee and Andrew are sparring partners," Matt said.

It obviously didn't sound as ridiculous to them as it did to Neil, but aside from flat-out asking what a sweet Christian girl was doing fighting the unofficial sociopath of the team, Neil didn't know what to say. He looked at Matt for help, but Matt only grinned at his confusion. Neil looked at Dan next, but she was too intent on Renee's hand to notice the attention. Finally Renee glanced up and took pity on him.

"I am a born-again, Neil. Andrew is not interested in my faith; he is interested in the person I was before. He and I have more in common than you think. That is why I make you uncomfortable, isn't it?"

Dan and Matt sent Neil curious looks at that. Apparently they hadn't noticed how hard Neil worked to avoid getting caught alone with Renee. Neil ignored them and said, "You make me uncomfortable because you don't make sense. I don't understand you."

"You could ask," Renee said.

"Is it really that easy?" Neil asked.

"I'm not proud of my past, but I can't heal if I hide it. When you think you are ready to trust me, let me know. I don't want it to be a problem between us. We can get a cup of coffee and talk about anything you like. Right now, though…" Renee braced her good hand against the arm of the couch and got to her feet. "All I want is a hot shower and my bed. I'm exhausted."

Dan looped her arm through Renee's and looked from Matt to Neil. "You guys can spend the night in our room, if you want. If you think…" She didn't finish, but the look she sent around the room said enough. "We've got a futon you can use, Neil."