Ruby's POV

Austin’s voice was low, steady, but I caught the weight beneath it. “Can we talk?”

I nodded, and without another word he led me away from the main road. The rain softened into a mist, pooling in the cracks of the pavement as we slipped between the hockey rink and the indoor basketball court. The alley was quiet except for the distant hum of traffic and the drip of water from the roof.

He leaned against the brick wall, rain still dripping from his hair, his jaw set tight. ...