Page 59 of The Transfer
I’m good. For real. Gonna take a couple of days before I come to practice.
Jordan
Take your time. Take care of yourself and your mom.
Moore
But don’t do it allyourself, man.
Williams
Let us help
Carter
And your girl
Riggs
Appreciate it. We’re good.
Carter
Love you, Hart
FORTY-FIVE
REAGAN
Idon’t remember the drive home from the Harts’ house. My phone was blowing up, and I eventually threw it in the back seat to avoid answering. I know it’s Riggs.
Somehow, I made it back to my apartment, barely throwing my car in park before completely breaking down. The car felt like the safest place to scream, cry, and cuss whatever it was that happened in Riggs’s bedroom earlier.
My body shakes as I finally allow myself to let go of all the emotion I’ve kept inside for the last week. Tears cloud my vision, and my breathing is erratic, trying to make sense of something that has completely shattered my heart.
A tap on my window causes me to jump in my seat, stopping my breakdown momentarily. My brother stands beside the car, his face tense and getting angrier as he takes me in. I unlock the door, preparing myself for the alpha protector version of my twin. Instead, as his eyes meet mine, his face drops to one of complete devastation. I must look even worse than I feel, and I’ve never known pain like this. He quietly picks me up, cradling me in his arms. Jordan shuts the door with his hip and walks up the stairs of our porch and into the house.Instead of dropping me in the living room, he carries me upstairs to my bedroom. Setting me on my feet beside the bed, he pulls back my blankets and moves for me to slide in. Then he does something we haven’t done since we were kids. He goes to the other side of the bed and lies down, so we face each other.
“What’s your truth, sister?” He whispers the words like he’s afraid he’ll wake the emotional monster lurking just under the surface of my facade.
I close my eyes, willing myself not to shed another tear, but I’m denied, and twin streams are falling down my cheeks. I wait until I can form a coherent sentence before answering Jordan.
“He pushed me away. He told me that he didn’t want to bring me down and that he needed to handle things on his own for a while.” I croak out the words, surprise marking my brother’s face as he listens.
“He doesn’t mean that.”
“Yes, he does. I tried to talk to him about it, but he was adamant that I leave. It hurts, Jordan. It hurts so bad.” Sobs run through me, and my brother hugs me to him, comforting me.
I’m thrown into a flashback where Jordan and I were in a similar position, him comforting my broken heart. Only this time, I don’t know if I will be able to put all the pieces back together because Riggs Hart holds too many of them in his hands.
The next timemy eyes open, it’s dark outside. I don’t remember falling asleep next to Jordan, but when I glance over, I find he’s gone. In his place is a piece of paper and a can of Dr Pepper.
Rea,
I’ll be home later tonight. Call me if you need me, and I will head straight home. I left you some pizza in the fridge. Please eat something. You willget through this. —J
I’m grateful for my overprotective brother right now, as I pick up the drink and walk downstairs to the kitchen. I know I should eat, but the thought of pizza makes bile rise into my throat.
Instead, I grab a pack of peanut butter crackers, my Dr Pepper, and plop down on the couch, pulling a blanket on top of me. Opening the can with a pop, the fizz tickles my nose as I take the first drink. It burns my throat more than normal from all the crying I did earlier. Tears prick my eyes at the thought, but I quickly force all of it down into a tiny box and hope I can keep it there.
