Page 72 of Break Point
“No comment.” Drew laughs again, clearly enjoying thiswaytoo much. “And you’re going to stick to that answer too. We’re done apologizing. It’s time to switch up the narrative. Take back control. We need to retain that account.”
I nod a few times, letting Drew’s pep talk sink in. For the first time in a while, I feel good again. Maybe I can finally forgive myself and move on from that embarrassing episode.
Bobby sets our plates down. Normally, I’d give Henry shit for the mountain of scrambled eggs in front of him. But after last night, I don’t know where we stand. Teasing him and pretending nothing happened doesn’t feel right.
Speculation about where he disappeared to gnaws at me. Where was he? What was he doing? More importantly, with whom? I know better than to ask. When Henry doesn’t want to talk, he doesn’t. And right now, he’s clearly not in a sharing mood.
Drew’s phone starts ringing.
“I gotta take this call outside. But eat yo’ eggs, kids. You’ll thank me later.”
He stands and walks off, already mid-answer.
I take a deep breath, grab my fork, and try the eggs. Same old scrambled eggs I’ve had a hundred times, but after a few bites, they start to settle my stomach. Drew was right.
Henry and I eat in comfortable silence, though there’s a lot I wish I could say to him. That’s what I hate about the stillness stretching between us. It feels too sharp and deliberate.
Fuck it.
“Why do you keep saying I’m not NEHBLing correctly?”
Henry chuckles, still focused on his plate as he stabs at his eggs.
“I can’t believe you don’t remember.”
“Just tell me.”
He glances up briefly and shakes his head. “I was about tobefore you passed out earlier. But it might be best not to mess with your ritual. If it’s working for you, keep at it.”
I sigh. He’s impossible. And probably right. I have no idea what he’s talking about, but I’m not about to mess with my NEHBL. It’s pure magic. I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember.
Better to change the subject.
“What did you mean earlier?” I ask. “About your tennis career ending because of alcohol.”
“Anything but that.”
“Henry.”
“Bells,” he says, setting his fork down and taking a slow sip of his coffee. “This isn’t the time or place for that conversation. And if I’m honest, there might never be a good time.”
“Necio,” I breathe, shaking my head.
“Necia,” he echoes.
“Stop!” I laugh, though it’s mostly out of exasperation. “Why don’t you trust me anymore?”
“This isn’t about trust,” he says, turning back to his plate and taking another bite of eggs.
At least I’m back to being Bells.
“I want to know if you’re okay.”
“I am.” He meets my gaze. “Are you done grilling me?” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. He can try to hide, but even if he’s changed, some parts of him are still the same.
“Nope.” I’ll never be done trying to understand the parts of Henry that feel out of reach.
He rolls his eyes at me, but it’s playful.
