imaginable ran the length of an entire wall. Free weights, Nautilus machines, and kettle bells were spread around the room. In the center was a boxing ring where, Quentin informed her, they’d train. When he noticed her apprehension, he said they wouldn’t start until next week and used the accident as the excuse why. She figured it was because she was the first girl he had to train. Either way, the delay worked for her.
Quentin walked through the laser security guards, to show Grace how to secure Pandora in the case. No matter what he’d said, she couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief when they both cleared the closet doorway without sizzling like bacon on the hallway floor behind them.
By the time she had finished with her guided tour and put Pandora to bed, it was slightly after eleven. Laney had left soon after Zeke arrived earlier, and hadn’t returned home yet. A tingle of fear crept along Grace’s skin and over her scalp. What if something happened to her mom? What if they got her? Oh God, she screamed in her head.
Fear crushed her ribcage, making it hard to breathe. Full of panic, she ran to the family room for her cell phone, fumbling over the touch screen buttons as she texted Laney.
Grace: Its l8. R u ok?
In her head, she visualized every bad thing that could have happened to her mother. When the phone vibrated in her hand, she nearly dropped it.
Mom: I’m fine. Out w/a friend. Be home soon.
The painful squeeze let go of her ribcage so she could breathe again. Her mom was fine, but she couldn’t shake the unease that filled her. Laney had been disappearing a lot the last couple of weeks, and had been sketchy with her explanations. Maybe it was time for Grace to ask more questions.
Tuesday morning, Grace was given the okay to return to school. And Quentin was right, she did feel a hundred percent better. He coached her on walking a little slower so she looked more like her recovering friends. Emily had been fitted with a cast the day before and would be returning to school today as well. Grace figured her safe bet would be to copy Em.
She parked closer to the school than usual, assuming that’s what she would have done if she’d really been hurt, then slowly made her way to first period. Amanda was already in her seat, a first. Seeing her reminded Grace she’d meant to call and check on her over the weekend. So much for mental notes.
“How are you doing?” Amanda asked, twisting her long hair around her finger, not waiting for Grace to sit down.
“I’m fine, still a little sore.” A lie. Grace flinched inside; she hated lying. “How are you? I was kind of worried about you.”
The strong lines of Amanda’s face hardened. “Why would you be worried about me?”
“After what happened last week in the hall, and then you were gone for a couple days after…I wasn’t sure if something happened.”
Amanda narrowed her eyes to slits. “With Mr. Peters?” She turned her head, obviously annoyed. “I told you that was nothing.”
Grace didn’t correct her. It absolutely was something. “Okay.”
“Do you really want to know where I was?” Amanda asked with a sudden excitement alight in her light blue eyes.
“Sure.” Grace shrugged a single shoulder.
Amanda’s irritated sneer returned. “Try not to sound so enthused.” Grace sighed and left it alone; Amanda was seriously PMS’ing.
“You have to keep it to yourself, though,” Amanda continued. “You can’t even tell Emily, Grace, I mean it.”
Grace forced a hand up, placing the other over her heart.
“I met someone, and we went away for the weekend.” Amanda’s words were fast and clipped.
“Someone who took you somewhere for a couple of days? Does he have really cool parents or something?”
Amanda leaned over in her seat to get closer. Grace glanced at the clock above the door. Amanda better hurry, she thought, because Miss Township will be walking in the classroom any minute.
“He’s older. He was supposed to be on a business trip, but we spent a few days together instead.”
“How much older?” Grace asked, now suspicious.
“Older.”
Grace flattened her palms against the top of her desk and leaned toward Amanda. “Yeah, I heard you the first time. How old is he, and what do you mean he was supposed to be on a business trip?”
Amanda’s eyes were guarded as she stared at Grace in contemplation. “Don’t judge me.” She held up a finger