The second Coach Daniels drives off, I’m already pulling out my phone. I don’t care that it’s late. I don’t care that I’m exhausted. Lena needs people around her, even if she won’t let me be one of them right now. Mom answers on the first ring.
“Evan? Everything okay?”
“No,” I say honestly. “I need a favor.”
She hears the strain in my voice and goes quiet. “Tell me.”
“I need you to check on Lena. Not push her. Not ask questions. Just… be there. And bring Gabby. Lena likes her. She might let you two in more than she’ll let me right now.”
Mom doesn’t hesitate. “Of course. I’ll call her mother too. We’ll make it a Women Supporting Women thing. No pressure. Just company.”
Relief hits me so hard I have to sit down on the edge of my bed. “Thank you.”
“You’re doing the right thing,” she sa
