Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61953 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61953 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
“He’s an adult,” Jordan said. “He’s probably fine.”
“Yeah, but he isn’t returning my texts or calls. I even texted Ashleigh.” She grimaced, checking to make sure Julian was out of earshot. “She, of course, had a million things to say about it, but said she hadn’t heard from her brother either. So, he must be really beat up about it. He was always so close to his mom.”
“That’s awful.” I frowned.
I understood that fear. I was that close with my mom, too, and I’d been there through all the worst of the stuff with Owen. I didn’t know how I would have survived it all alone. I’d had West and Whitt there for so much of it and my friends from high school.
Doing it all alone would be…tough.
“I just wish he’d let someone in, you know?” Annie said with a shrug. “It used to be me, but now, I’m married to this lug.” She punched Jordan again playfully. “And oil and water don’t mix.”
Jordan shrugged unapologetically. “The Sinclairs dug their own grave.”
Julian leaned his way into the conversation. “I heard y’all talking about the Sinclairs. I would like to add my distrust and distaste for them as well.”
“We know,” Jordan said, shoving him off.
Julian laughed, bumping into Hollin.
“Those fuckers tried to ruin the winery,” Hollin said. “Let ’em burn.”
Hollin’s girlfriend, Piper, shrugged. “Tried to steal my winery out from under me. I second the sentiment.”
“Eve,” Hollin said, gesturing to Whitt’s girlfriend. “Sinclairs, yes or no?”
She wrinkled her nose and gave a thumbs-down.
I swallowed back all the Sinclair hatred. It shouldn’t have felt personal. It had nothing to do with me. And yet I felt personally offended for Chase.
“Maybe,” Annie said with a sigh. “Still wish I could help.”
“I know that feeling,” I said.
Annie gave me a thankful look as the rest of our friends and family went on about their Sinclair hatred. Annie and I were in agreement even if she had no idea why I was on her side here.
“Pizza?” Blaire called out to the crowd of players.
“Yes,” Annie said as she jogged over to her friend.
I watched her go along with a chorus of people saying yes. It was a tradition to go out to Capital Pizza after the game, but suddenly, my stomach felt all twisted.
Chase’s parents were getting a divorce, and he had no one to talk to. He’d cut Annie out. Even his sister couldn’t get ahold of him.
He was an adult. As Jordan had reminded us, he could handle this himself, in his own way. But that didn’t mean he should have to handle it alone.
I hadn’t spoken with Chase Sinclair since we’d said our good-bye all those months earlier. I’d had the most memorable kiss of my life. I heard him call me baby girl one more time. My insides melted. And then I’d walked away. Because what else could I have done?
It would be foolish to break the silence I’d personally set up. I was the one who had said he was toying with me by inserting himself into my life. And I couldn’t regret forcing this separation.
I’d spent months after looking for him on every corner. It didn’t make any sense. Because why would he be on the Tech campus? Why would he come to Wright Vineyard? He had no business at Wright Construction. He’d said he’d steer clear of Wright events entirely. I wasn’t going to see him, and it was what I’d asked for.
Still…
I glanced down at my phone, pulling up Chase’s phone number in my Contacts. I hadn’t had the nerve to completely remove him. I wasn’t using the number. What was the harm in keeping it as a just in case?
“Harley, you coming?” Whitt asked, his arm slung around Eve’s waist.
“I actually really need to work on my history paper,” I said.
It wasn’t a lie. I did have a history paper due this week. But…it wasn’t the whole truth.
“All work and no play makes Harley a dull girl,” Eve teased. “Come on. It’s just pizza.”
“Maybe next time.” I waved them off and headed for my Kia.
I sank into the driver’s seat, and before I could think better of it, I pressed the button.
The phone rang twice before a voice answered, “Hello?”
“Hey, Chase.”
The line was silent a beat too long. “Harley?”
“Hey.”
“Hey.” He repeated my word back at me. We were both quiet for another few seconds before he said, “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“Oh, yes,” I said quickly. “I’m fine.”
“Then…can I ask why you’re calling me? I thought…well, it doesn’t matter.”
“I heard about your parents.”
“Oh.”
“I’m sorry.”
His laugh was sardonic. “I’m not.”
“Annie said you’re not answering her.”
He sighed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Okay. Can I come over?”
“What?” he asked in a slightly strangled voice. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
No, I really didn’t.
“I don’t think you should go through this alone.”