Page 61 of No Way Home
As Nova opened her mouth, I flicked the reel from my screen. I couldn’t care less what she was about to say—and I didn’t want to look at Bowen’s irritating face for another second. As a matter of fact, I was highly offended that someone so horrible had been gifted such ridiculous good looks.
Right then, a text came through from Charlie.
Charlie
Oh my gosh, Maggie, I’m so sorry. I have no idea why Bowen’s being such a douche. I wish I was there to give you a hug.
Her kind words unlocked the floodgates, as kind words oftendo. I reread the message three times while I let myself cry it out. Then I pulled up my big girl panties and texted back.
It’s whatever. How’s Griff?
If Bowen was going to make it clear that he didn’t give a crap about me, the least I could do was care about the boy whohadcared about me. Griffin deserved that. Even if he had sent me a middle-finger emoji the five times I’d texted and the two times I’d called to apologize. I couldn’t blame him. If someone had done to me what I’d done to him, they would’ve woken up to a flaming paper bag of dog doo-doo on their front porch.
Charlie
He’ll be okay.
She left off the wordeventuallybut I felt it keenly. Griff wouldn’t get over this any time soon.
Charlie
I didn’t even know Bowen and Nova were back together until just now. She makes him crazy, if it helps any.
It does.
But I didn’t want to think about Bowen anymore. Definitely didn’t want to think about Bowen with Nova.
How’s the tour going?
The day after the race, Charlie had hopped on Ford’s tour bus with Cash, and they’d taken off to travel the country together. No doubt, they were spending more time making out than practicing his songs.
I was happy for them. Truly. It had taken years to get their happily ever after. If there was a couple anywhere in the universe that deserved it, it was those two. But it felt like there was a car parked on my chest.
I need some happy news. What’re you doing right now? Send me pics!
She responded immediately, sending a photo of the two of them tangled around each other, grinning up at the camera, kicking back in one of the oversized bus recliners.
Charlie tried to keep up our friendship after that, but every time she texted, the hurt resurfaced. I could only imagine how she felt whenever I replied, knowing we’d never be friends again. Not in person anyway.
So after a few weeks, I left her on read here and there. The longer time went on, the more dead space I allowed between conversations until eventually, our friendship was nothing more than a memory.
Along with the rest of the Duprees.
Chapter Twenty-Three
BOWEN
NOW
Two days later,I walked into exam room three, the makeshift hub for Slate and Timber. I’d barely unrolled the floor plan I’d brought with me when Topher walked in.
“Bowen, Bowen, Bowen.” He threw his arms out wide. “My man.”
I exhaled through my nose, hands resting on the counter. I had a thousand things to do today and no time to deal with his nonsense. “I’m not your man.”
He gave me a playful punch to the shoulder. “You’re right. You’re my stepbrother. Or are we half brothers?”
I stared at him, sure he must be high. But his eyes were clear and bright. No wonder he didn’t get into med school if he couldn’t even understand the basics of familial relations. “Neither. We’re nothing.”
