Page 89 of Unpredictable
“Thanks, Landon.” While I appreciated his concern, this was my decision to make.
“What does Harrison think about this?”
“He—” I swallowed. Telling Harrison should’ve been one of my first thoughts. At least, after I’d processed the news that Ryan might be alive. “I haven’t told him yet,” I whispered.
“Oh, girl. You need to talk to him.” There was no judgment, just sympathy.
“I will.” There was just so much to do. So much to consider.
We finalized a few more details, and when I hung up, I was surprised by how late it was. “Do you mind if I crash here tonight?” I asked Harper.
“Don’t you think you should go home and talk to Harrison?”
With my hands on my cheeks and my eyes wide, I shook my head. “I don’t know. Probably.” I slumped, sagging beneath the weight of it all. “But I’m not ready to tell him.”
“But you’re going to tell him, right?” Harper’s green eyes were full of concern.
“Of course I’m going to tell him.” Though my stomach clenched just imagining how that conversation might go down. For all his laid-back attitude, I knew he wasn’t going to like this. And I was afraid he’d try to talk me out of going.
I sighed. “I only just found out about this. I need more time to process the information.” Though I wasn’t sure there could ever be enough time to process something like this.
I’d moved on, and I was happy. I was living life. Now it felt as if I were dragged back in again, sucked beneath the water. And I was terrified.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Aclip of the latest Hollywood Heatwaves practice played on the TV, the linebackers in light pads, running at the opposing team. I watched number twenty-three, a new player named Xavier. He was agile despite his size, though I didn’t know how he’d possibly fit all those dreads under his helmet.
My phone chimed from the coffee table, and I shook my head as I grabbed for it. Preseason games were starting next week, and I was excited. I couldn’t wait to take Juliana to a game. And with wedding season winding down, we’d have more time together. Especially now that Olivia’s wedding was over.
I smiled, thinking back on the past weekend. It had been…perfect. And I was so relieved by Olivia’s reaction to my relationship with Juliana. Everything finally seemed to be headed in the right direction.
I glanced at my phone and frowned at Juliana’s message.
Juliana:It’s getting late. I’m going to crash at Harper’s tonight.
I’d really been looking forwardto spending tonight with her—back in our bed, our home.
Me:I’ll come get you.
Three dots dancedon the screen, disappearing then reappearing again before a new message came through.
Juliana:It’s fine. I’ll see you in the morning.
I furrowedmy brow and then pressed the button to connect the call to her. It nearly went to voice mail before she answered.
“Hey.”
I switched the phone to my other ear, trying to decipher her tone. Something was up. “Hey. You okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah.”
“And Harper’s okay?”
“Yeah.” The sound was muffled, as if she were covering the speaker with her hand. “We’re good. I’m just really tired after our big weekend, and I feel like I haven’t seen her in forever.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling like an asshole. Still, my gut told me something was up.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said.
