Page 71 of The Silent Note

“He doesn’t need to. Everyone who has her app probably called him to let him know.” Grey distractedly answers her ringing phone. “Hello? Yes, this is Grace Jamieson.”

I watch her face pinch in worry. Five minutes ago, she was vibrating under my hand, fingers digging in my hair as I got close enough to taste her. Five minutes ago, the only thing she was worried about was whether or not her spine could handle arching off the bed at that angle.

Now, she looks like she’s about to tear her hair out.

I want to walk behind her and massage her shoulders, take some of her tension away. But I don’t trust myself to touch her right now.

I’m too amped up.

If my hands brush an inch of her beautiful skin, I’m going to lock the door, throw her back on the bed and show her what ‘letting the world burn’ means.

But Grey isn’t like me.

And I know I can’t push it tonight.

“Yes, I can be at the station,” Grey says. She sits on the edge of the bed and pulls on her socks. The phone, pinned between her face and shoulder, keeps slipping from her cheek.

I drop to my knees in front of her, right where I’d knelt a short while ago for very different circumstances, and grab her sneakers. That earns me another grateful look.

After helping Grey slip on her shoes, I follow her out the door and down the stairs.

“Thank you. Yes, I’ll be there soon.”

Voices come from the kitchen.

Everyone is up except for Viola.

Cadence glances between us when we appear. “Finally.”

“What took you so long?” Dutch scolds.

Finn’s eyes slide from my messy hair to the hoodie that Grey’s wearing. He says nothing.

“Sorry. We were, uh,” Grey falters, “occupied.”

Cadey’s eyes widen.

My twin gives me an inquiring look.

I shake my head.

I get a commiserating nod in return.

“Grey, you want some water before we leave?” I walk to the fridge. Since I can’t take a cold shower, cold water will have to do.

“Beforeweleave?” She plants a hand on her hip, not accepting the water I offer.

“You’re not going to the police without me.”

“Sure. The cops won’t have any questions about why I’m being escorted by a male student this late at night.”

“That’s none of their business,” I say.

“You’re technically step-siblings. They won’t question it if you inform them,” Finn points out.

Grey shudders and rubs her head as if she has a headache. “Donotremind me that we’re step-siblings.“

I wonder why she’s acting so mortified now. She didn’t care what we were when she was sucking on my lips like it was her oxygen.