Page 29

12

colter

I smirk at the video,studying the footage for the hundredth time.

“Guess she paid attention when we made her and Rah practice,” Cooper says, his tone a mixture of pride and annoyance.

“That she did,” I quip without looking up from my computer screen when Cooper walks inside. “Her right hook was always dangerous.”

He sits beside me, watching Eva’s fist connect with Liam’s face. “Oof, that shit had to hurt.”

Chuckling, I retort, “He’ll definitely feel it once the adrenaline wears off.” Then I switch the feed to Eva’s room.

She’s lying on her bed, her arms wrapped around the goddamn accent pillow.

There’s a knock on her door. “Eva. It’s me, Cammy. We’re going to grab a quick bite to eat at the food court before practice. Did you want to come?”

Eva gazes at the door but doesn’t respond.

“Is she ignoring her room?—”

Cooper is cut off as Eva responds, “Nah. I’m going to hang here for a bit until practice. Thanks for asking, though.”

“Okay. If you change your mind, text me, and I’ll make sure to bring you back something.”

Eva releases the pillow, rising to her elbows before she replies, “I’m going to do some writing, but I’ll message you if I change my mind.”

“Perfect,” Cooper murmurs.

I arch a brow, peering out of the corner of my eye. “What do you have planned?”

“She’s alone. Play the recording,” he instructs.

“You don’t think it’s too soon?”

Cooper shakes his head. “No. We need Eva running into our arms willingly. It’s the only way we can ensure we’re heeding Mom’s warning,” he explains. “If we get her worked up just enough, she’ll gladly agree to our terms.”

Pondering his plan, I hum, “I love how you think, Coop.”

We wait until Eva’s suitemates exit their room before shifting our attention back to her room. She’s up, her head is angled, and she is staring at the pictures on her desk.

Her face scrunches in confusion as she picks up the framed photo of her and Farrah. “I could’ve sworn I put this up here,” she mumbles, gazing up at the framed image of her and Callum.

“Now,” Coop orders.

“Eva?”

Caught off guard, Eva tenses, whipping her head in the direction of the sound.

“Eva, where are you?”

“Fah,” she exclaims through a choked cry, putting the photo back down before plopping down in her desk chair. “You’re losing it, Evie. Your guilt is making you hear things you wish for.”

My nostrils flare at her confession. I’m glad she walks around with the anchor around her soul or whatever is left of it. She doesn’t deserve peace.

Eva’s gaze oscillates, surveying her room for answers. She takes a deep breath before spinning back around to her desk. Then, she fixes her pictures, placing them back in the correct spots.

“Why are you ignoring me?”