I plop on the couch, opening my phone, and I can’t deny the disappointment that I feel. No calls or texts from Harley. Maybe he needs space.
Is that what he meant earlier?
At that thought, I panic. I was mad about him hacking my system, and I feel like I have a valid reason to be upset. I never would have thought he would want space like this. I try to reign myself in, seeing it's been just over two hours since he left.
Ensley sends one more text and I roll my eyes, responding to let her know I’m about to leave.
I put out some fresh water for Maggie, and refill her food bowl. The moment the kibble hits the metal bowl, I hear her tiny paws scatter across the floor. She brushes up my leg and then immediately settles at the bowl to feast, purring away. I give her some ear scratches and a kiss on the head and turn the little nightlight on for her while I’m away for the night.
I turn down the rest of the house, locking it up, and jump in my car. I press start, and just as the car turns on, a text comes through.
HARLEY
Be safe. Call if you need me. I love you.
I quickly respond, letting him know that I’m leaving the house now and I’ll probably lose service once I get closer to Ensley’s party.
He heart reacts to my message and that’s all I get. I lightly toss my phone into the slot, trying not to lose my patience.
It’s roughly a fifty-minute drive to the lake house, and I blast my trap music playlist the entire way.
By the time I pull into the long wooded driveway, I’ve somehow hyped myself up to be pissed at Harley for being so short with me. I didn’t do a damn thing wrong.
I’m glad Ensley forced me to come, I’ve got some shit to say.
I hop out of the car, and the moment my door is shut, the front door of the house opens. Ensley’s figure fills the doorway.
“Get that beautiful ass in here and help my pregame!” she screams, not moving from the porch.
“I’m coming!” I holler back as I grab my bag from the passenger seat and bound up the stairs.
Once I’m inside, I find all the snacks already sitting on the counter, waiting to be prepped and put out for guests.
“Mkay, spill,” Ensley says as she begins making a mixed drink.
“Do you want all the details, or like a shortened version?” I ask her, even though I know she loves all the juicy shit. The only difference is that when she wants all the juicy shit, it’s usually over petty B.S. But that’s not the case this time.
“Give it to me.” She passes me a red solo cup, bringing her own up to her lips and tasting it.
I go into detail about everything the past few weeks. Starting from the day of Aria’s birthday party.
Ensley has always despised Dean with a lethal force. Ensley and I had been best friends since we were three, and our parents lived across the street from each other. When I was in first grade, her parents moved across town, and we didn’t go to the same school anymore. We stayed close, but we drifted for a bit, around the time I met Dean, so they never met.
“You’re telling me Dean still can’t fucking take a hint?” Her expression a stink face.
“I guess not. Since we installed the cameras, we’ve caught him coming close to the house three times,” I relay to her, polishing off my drink.
“So, you really think this is your baby?” Her voice goes soft as she meets my eyes.
“Yeah, I met his mom. His adopted mom, Charlee. She knew the second she saw me who I was,” I confirm. I lean back in my chair.
“Let’s start getting ready and you can keep telling me about your insane life.” Ensley grabs my hand and pulls me up the stairs.
We lay our costumes out onto the bed, making sure we have everything we need. For the first time in a minute, I find myself excited for tonight.
I sit to pee while Ensley runs back down stairs after she demands we need to continue our pregame drinking.
I check my phone, and still don’t see any communication from Harley. I open Facebook, not willing to admit I’m hoping to see if Harley has posted there.
