Page 93 of The Comeback Summer

I’m speechless again, but this time because it’s clear my sister is hurting. She has deep wounds related to men and love and trust that go back to some jerks in high school, and maybe even further, to our parents’ divorce. Which makes me consider that her feelings about Josh aren’t really about Josh at all, but about what he represents.

I gently set the throw pillow aside so I can see her face. “Libs. I appreciate everything you did for me when Josh and I broke up. I needed you then. But what I need now is for you to trust me. I hope it works out for Josh and me this time; I believe that it will. But if it doesn’t, I’d like to know that I can come to you for support, and you won’t say ‘I told you so.’ ”

She sighs. “I promise I won’t say ‘I told you so.’ ”

Right. Meaning that she assumes things won’t work out. But this is as close to supportive as I’m going to get—at least for now. I’ll have to prove to her that Josh and I are in it for the long haul.

“Fair enough,” I say, then smile widely. “And I’ll be here, cheering as you and Adam fall in love.”

In response, she smacks me in the head with the throw pillow.

Crush Your Comfort Zone

THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE COMPANION JOURNAL

WEEK 8

When we get hurt, we’re desperate to figure out why, so we can prevent it from happening again. But unfortunately, this desire to protect ourselves sometimes becomes another excuse to remain in the safety of our comfort zones.

Think about a wound in your past, and how you responded. What comfort zone have you remained in since then?

Hannah, 7/24

Well, the obvious wound is when Josh left me, back in college. Once I graduated and started working for GiGi, I really thought I had healed. Moved on. I had a job, an apartment, a built-in support system with my sister. I felt like my life was on track.

But looking back, I’m realizing that I never had to make any difficult decisions about my future—it was all decided for me. Working for GiGi allowed me to stay in a safe little bubble, which was probably what I needed at the time. Now that I’m back with Josh, though, I’m itching to spread my wings. To see what I’m capable of.

I’m just not sure how to do that without impacting my relationship with my sister. That’s something I never, ever want to lose.

Thirty-One

LIBBY

The next morning, I wake with an emotional hangover. The talk with Hannah last night brought up so many stupid feelings. And it didn’t help that I was already in such a weird place after the amazing not-a-date with Adam.

The logical side of me understands what Hannah was trying to say—it’s her life, and she has the right to make her own decisions. But I’m literally sick over it. It’s not just that Ithinkshe’s making a mistake; Iknowit. Deep in my soul. And it’s my job as a big sister to protect her.

And to protect myself—the walls in this apartment are so thin, I’m going to have to get noise-canceling headphones to block out all their sex noises. Hannah better hope that a fire doesn’t break out while they’re doing the nasty, because I could die alone in my bed if I don’t hear the alarm.

The sound of Hannah’s door opening and closing shakes that awful vision from my mind.

“See you at the office,” she calls out, as if it’s just another day.

But it’s not as easy for me to pretend everything is okay.My little sister is speeding toward the edge of a cliff, and her brakes are broken.

God, I hope they used a condom during their boat sex. The last thing she needs is to get knocked up by stupid Josh Jacobson.

My phone chimes with my last “you better get your ass out of bed” alarm, and I sit up, reaching for my phone. There are notifications from Instagram, and an alert for a new match on the One+One app, but no text from Adam. I know I have no right to be disappointed, especially since I didn’t send him one last night, either. But if feelings were logical, they wouldn’t be so hard to make sense of.

I open One+One and check out the new match, even though Hannah’s stopping the challenge—and probably ruining our chances of saving the company. Watch this guy be the one who could make her forget all about Josh. One date too late.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the guy is average at best. He checks the tall box and having a professional job box, but he has a cat, and Hannah is not a cat person. I glance down at Mr.Darcy, curled up on the pillow beside me in a perfect loaf, his legs and tail tucked into his body. How is it possible there are people who don’t love cats?

“Who’s a good boy,” I say, rubbing the soft fur between his ears. “You’re a perfect ten, aren’t you?”

The rating makes me think of Adam, and how I need to officially end things with him and Hannah. I open up the messages on the app, then crack my knuckles and start to type.

HANNAHF:Sorry I’ve been flaky lately. I know I said work has been busy—and it has. But I’ve also met someone and want togive it a chance to see where things go. I’m really sorry we never got to meet up in person, but I hope you find your 10/10.

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