Page 32 of Heartache Duet

“Ava,” Mom scolds. “Give him a minute.”

Trevor walks out of his room with three different pairs of pants, patting down each pocket.

“I’m going to be so late,” I mumble.

Now Trevor’s looking behind the TV because of course it’s going to be there. “Why do you have to get to school so early, anyway?”

“Because someone,” I say, glaring at him, “made me see the school shrink.”

“Ava,” Krystal admonishes. “We don’t use that term.”

“Sorry.” I lower my gaze, my voice. “I didn’t mean that.”

“Where the hell is it!” Trevor utters.

“I’ll be outside,” I announce to whoever is listening. I open the door.

Freeze.

On my doorstep is Connor, one hand raised, ready to knock.

“Connor?” I shriek.

“Ava?” He looks as confused as I feel.

“What—” My voice is too high, too loud. My pulse thumps wildly, beating on my eardrums. I try again. “What are you doing here?”

Trevor shoves me to the side.

Connor lifts Trevor’s wallet, but his eyes are glued to me.

“Thank you,” Trevor says, relieved as he grabs for it. “I’ve been looking all morning.”

“You left it in my car,” Connor tells him. To me, he asks, “What are you doing here?”

I say, “I live here.”

Trevor laughs. “I’d introduce you both, but it seems like you’ve already met.”

“Wait,” replies Connor, his feet planted on our porch. “You live here?”

Now Trevor’s pushing me out the door as if he’s the one in a rush. I stop inches short of slamming into Connor, while Trevor shuts the door behind him.

I’m practically sniffing Connor’s shirt; I’m that close to him.

“I told you I lived with my sister,” Trevor says, moving past us and down the porch steps.

I ask, “How do you know each other?”

Trevor answers, “I told you about him, no? He just moved in next door.”

He told me we had new neighbors. He didn’t mention him by name or give any other information.

“Your sister?” Connor asks, confusion evident in his tone. “But you’re…” he trails off.

Trevor quirks an eyebrow, holding back a smile before saying, “Black?”

Connor’s cheeks flush red.