Page 91 of Wildcat
“I saw photos of my favorite celebrity couple on Instagram this morning,” Jade says as she pulls into the parking lot. “I rescind my concerns.”
“Not necessary. If it weren’t for you, I might not have had the balls to ask him straight up where we stood.”
“And is that place you’re standing heading toward wedding bells?” Her eyes light up. “I could do a story on you two. It would be epic!”
“Slow your roll there, Katie Couric.”
“I’m just saying, Vivian isthewedding planner, so you might want to book her just in case.” She pulls into a parking space and cuts the engine.
My phone pings. “Cadence is here.”
“Okay. This shouldn’t take long. She could only fit me in for thirty minutes. I’ll call you when I’m done and catch up. Don’t buy too much adorable baby stuff without me.” Jade heads off in one direction, and I go the other.
My phone rings before I’ve reached the door. I stop and move off the sidewalk, expecting Cadence or Jade, but it’s Rhyse’s number flashing on the screen.
My pulse thrums loudly. I must hold my breath because when I finally exhale, my lungs burn.
I keep staring at his name while it seems that everything else around me ceases to exist. I answer out of sheer curiosity. If I don’t, I know I’ll wonder. And I don’t want to waste any more time wondering about Rhyse.
“Hello?”
“Scarlett.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “Hi. Hello. I wasn’t sure if you’d answer. How are you?”
“Good. I’m good.” I fall silent. This is too weird. The polite thing would be to ask him how he is, but Rhyse and I haven’t been on polite, speaking terms in months. Our breakup wasn’t exactly messy, but it was final, and neither of us bothered to keep in contact. We were at a stalemate, and there was nothing left to say.
“I’m in the States,” he says. “We have a race next weekend.”
“Austin?” I ask because, try as I might, I still remember his schedule.
“Yes, but I came early hoping to see you. I’m in Minnesota.”
“What?” I look around like his being in the same state makes him visible.
“I’m at the airport. Can I see you?”
“I’m not home, Rhyse. I’m out shopping with Cadence.”
“I’ll come there. Just give me an address.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” The thought of facing him again makes me anxious. Not now. This is all wrong.
“Ten minutes, Scar,” he says. “There are things I need to say.”
32
THE FEELING IS NOT MUTUAL
SCARLETT
For monthsI dreamt about this moment—Rhyse calling me out of the blue and demanding to see me. In the dream, he’d fall at my feet and tell me how much he missed me, how life isn’t the same without me by his side. And then, of course, after playing tough, I’d take him back, and we’d return to our happy bubble, traveling the world together and making love in fancy hotels.
But now that it’s at least partially based in reality (he called and is on his way to see me), it feels more like a nightmare.
Cadence tries to distract me with cute baby clothes while I wait for Rhyse to drive from the airport. I try to pretend like I’m going about my day and just meeting up with a friend for a quick, meaningless chat, but I find myself staring toward the door of the baby boutique every time it opens.
“Are you finding out the gender?” I ask as I hold up a tiny tent that covers little boys while you change them so that you don’t get peed on.
She “ooohs” like a pee tent is the cutest thing. “Yes, definitely. I want to be prepared.”
