Page 96 of Time Out

“Ruth called. My sister.”

“She scream at you again?”

“No.” I busted out crying. How could I not have cried all the tears inside my body yet I was uncertain, but Belle listened to everything. To how bad it’d really been with my family, to everything Ruth had said and what I was waiting for. She cursed through it, hugged me with her words when I needed it, and by the time I was done, we’d both cried more than humanly possible.

“We’ll figure it out,” she said when I was done. So confidently. So much like Davis.

This time, I was starting to believe them.

“Thursday,” she stated. “I’ll let you get off the phone but promise me. You’re coming to dinner on Thursday. And you’re bringing Ruth and Davis.”

“I don’t know, Belle. It’s a lot.”

“And they’re your family and we’re going to make sure Ruth knows how loved you are, show her how normal people can treat those they care about, and Davis is coming because he’s going to help me get you to agree to the damn contract. Capisce?”

I didn’t have any fight left in me. “Capisce,” I grumbled.

“Good. Love you. Ciao!”

She ended the call, and I stared at the screen.

Since when did Belle become Italian?

Leaving now. Haven’t seen anyone in your family yet. Should be there by seven.

A valve released in my chest. I still wasn’t over the call from Belle, and now I was back to dealing with this. Heck, I was still sitting on the floor against Davis’s bed, my clothing on top of it forgotten.

So many things I needed to do.

Ruth would be here tonight.

Where in the heck was everyone going to sleep?! I couldn’t kick out the Clanceys after they drove so far, and they couldn’t go home while it was so late. The condo was already full with Jim being here. Unless Ruth and I crashed on Davis’s couches. The sectional was large enough for both of us.

I climbed to my feet, grunting as I did. The button of my jeans pushed into my stomach, making me uncomfortable.

I’d need bigger clothes soon.

More things Davis would need to help me with or I’d need to work for.

Quit my job. Yeah right.

I needed the money now more than ever.

But if what Belle said was the truth….

No way. I shook my head. I hadn’t bothered pulling up the viral video or whatever she called it, and I had no idea what anyone was saying about me. If they even knew it was me for sure. If her dad wanted to sign me though, I’d be all sorts of a fool to say no.

I popped the button on my jeans and sighed at the immediate relief and once again went in search of Davis to tell him how my life had become a soap opera drama.

His voice was quiet but strained as I reached the hallway. I couldn’t make out what he was saying, but I could already picture his cut jaw, jutting forward and muscles tightening on his arms. Crazy how I knew him so little and so well.

“I’m just saying, Davis…”

It was a woman’s voice coming through his screen. His mom? I checked the time on my phone. He couldn’t still be talking to her. That was a while ago.

“Annie. Don’t.”

He reprimanded her in a way my back flattened to the wall and I moved toward the living room slowly so as not to get caught. He loved his sisters. There’s no way he would talk to one like that.

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