“That’s understandable. We can sit here until you’re ready to go back,” she suggests.
I pull my shoulders back. “I’m not going to Hayden’s house.”
“What do you mean? Hayden will have a heart attack if I don’t return you. Actually, I’m surprised he hasn’t called already to check on you.”
My phone rings in my lap. Hayden’s name flashes on the screen. “Speak of the devil.” It’s like we’ve conjured him up. I can’t speak to him now. Not when the world is pressing on my shoulders. I hit the decline button.
“Why did you hang up on him?” Harper asks.
“I don’t want to talk to him.”
Harper taps my thigh. “Go home. Tell him. Together you can work this out.”
My phone rings again. I again decline the call.
“If you don’t answer, you’ll make him worry.”
I shrug. “He’ll get over it.”
A moment later, Harper’s phone chimes with a call. I don’t need to guess who it is.
“Don’t answer,” I tell her.
Harper bites her bottom lip with indecision. “He’ll worry.”
“I don’t care.”
She ignores my plea and answers the call. “Hey, Hayden. What’s up?” she says overly bright.
“Where the hell is Alyssa? Why isn’t she answering my calls?” I can hear his voice raging through the speaker.
Harper’s gaze flicks to me. “We’re sitting at the park. Her phone must be on silent,” she lies. I give her a thumbs-up signal for her quick thinking. She rolls her eyes and shakes her head, not looking impressed at being stuck between Hayden and me.
“Put her on the phone,” he demands.
I wave my arms in a big cross and mouth the wordno.
“Umm…she…she’s taken Avery to the swings.” Harper slaps her head.
My shoulders sag and I drop my head. Avery is too small for swings.
“Avery can’t hold her head up, how is she on a swing?” He’s onto us.
Harper widens her eyes like she’s trying to think of what to say. “It’s some new baby capsule thingy… Anyway, I’ll have her call you when she gets back.”
“She shouldn’t be on her leg for too long,” he says.
“Don’t worry, she’s not far. We’ll see you soon. Bye.” She hangs up before Hayden can say anything else.
I blow out a relieved breath.
Harper narrows her eyes. “I lied for you.”
Giving her a ghost of a smile, I nudge her shoulder. “Thank you. I owe you one.”
“Yes, you do,” she says with mock sternness to her voice. “You can babysit Avery so Finn and I can have a date night.”
“No problem. I’m going to need all the practice I can get.”
