Fighting Shadows (On the Ropes #2)(24)

However, just as quickly as it had appeared, it disappeared.

But I’d seen it.

God, did I see it.

Her typical wide grin replaced it, and even though she was still gorgeous, nothing could top that single second where she’d showed me something truly indescribable.

She’d showed me the real Ash Mabie.

And she is beautiful.

“Sooooo . . . ?” she questioned, nodding back toward Max and Donna.

“Okay,” I huffed. “Let’s go meet your friends.”



One week later . . .

Unknown: What’s your address?

Me: Who is this?

Unknown: It’s an emergency.

Me: So I’ll repeat. Who. Is. This?

Unknown: It’s Ash. Quarry and I were out at the movies and suddenly he can’t hear anything.

Sitting straight up in bed, I tossed my book to the nightstand and shifted into my chair, which was parked beside the bed. The genetic condition Till and Quarry shared was supposed to be degenerative, but this was exactly what had happened with Till. One day, he could hear, and an hour later, it was gone.

My heart began to race at the instant replay that was unfolding in front of me.



Me: Take him to the hospital. Now!

Ash: He says no hospital. He just wants to come to your house.

Me: I don’t care what he says. Take him to a hospital.

Ash: Just let me bring him to you. He’s trying to sign stuff but I don’t know sign language.

Ash: Please Flint. I’m scared.

Me: All right, all right. Bring him here. 121 Broad Dr. Apt 113. Show it to Q. He’ll know how to get here. I’ll see you in a few.

Ash: K

I dropped my phone on the bed and then pulled a pair of shorts on over my boxers.

For several minutes, I stared blankly at my phone. I needed to call Till, but just the thought knotted my stomach. I hadn’t spoken to him in months, and Quarry going deaf was the news I had to deliver? Fuck.

I couldn’t waste any more time though. Clicking his name, I prayed for a miracle that he wouldn’t pick up and I could leave a message.

Such was my luck, he answered on the first ring.

“Flint?”

“Quarry can’t hear anything,” I rushed out, not bothering with pleasantries.

“What?” he breathed in shock.

“Yeah, Ash just called. I don’t know exactly what’s going on yet, but she’s bringing him over here. I’ll take him to the hospital.”

“Till? What’s going on?” Eliza asked in the background.

“Hey, I have to go. I’ll let you know when we leave.”

“Flint, wait!” he yelled as I severed the connection.

But I couldn’t. I just . . . couldn’t.

After snagging a T-shirt from the drawer, I made my way to unlock the front door.

While I was still battling with a useless pair of Nikes, my front door swung open and Quarry sauntered inside.

“Holy shit! You moved into Eliza’s old apartment?” He laughed. “You have serious problems, dude.” He turned to look over his shoulder. “Ash, get in here!”

“Not until you tell him not to be mad at me,” she squeaked from outside.

“Oh, right. Sorry. I borrowed Ash’s phone and wrote the texts. It wasn’t her. We were bored and I was curious about where you were hiding out.” He winked.

My mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me? You got bored so you decided to tell me that you were deaf?” I snapped, rolling myself forward.

“No. I asked for your address first. You didn’t bite. So then I told you I was deaf.”

“You son of a bitch. I was f*cking worried!” I swung a fist as hard as I could, but Quarry easily dodged it.

“Well, then think of it as a miracle. I can still hear!” He threw his hands up in the air in celebration.

“You selfish little shit. Till’s probably losing his mind right now, and you think this is funny?”

His laugh went silent and his eyes grew wide. “You told Till?” he gasped. “Why the hell would you do that?” He pushed a hand through his thick, black hair.

“I thought you were deaf!” I screamed so loudly that it echoed off all the walls.

“Shit,” he groaned to himself.

“Yeah. Shit,” I repeated, passing my phone in his direction. “Call him and explain. But don’t you dare tell him where I live.”

He dropped his eyes to the floor but took the phone from my hand. “I’m going outside to purgatory for this one,” he mumbled as he walked out the door, dialing the phone.

Stupid kid.

“Soooo . . . is it safe to come in?” Ash said, peeking around the doorjamb.

“For you? Yes. For him? I’m not sure,” I replied, grabbing the back of my neck.

“I swear I didn’t know. He didn’t tell me until we got here. For what it’s worth, he wanted to keep up the act and mess with you, but I refused to play along.”

“Thanks for that.”

“No prob.” She smiled.

And even with as pissed as I was, one pulled at the corner of my lips too.





“SOOOO THIS IS A NICE place,” I said, looking around Flint’s apartment.