(Reese)
I had barely gotten inside when my phone rang.
Ethan. I almost didn't answer. The conversation in the hallway was still sitting in my chest in a way I hadn't managed to put down yet and I needed ten minutes before I could be useful to anyone. But I picked up because Ethan didn't call twice in one evening without a reason.
"Marcus's father wants to meet me," he said.
I set my bag down. "When did this happen?"
"Tonight. Marcus's father called him. He's been pushing for months to know who Marcus is spending his time with and Marcus has been deflecting but tonight his father said he's done waiting." His voice had the particular quality it got when he was holding everything together on the outside while something was pulling hard underneath. "He wants a dinner. This week."
"How di
