“I think so. Just nervous.”
Her expression softened with understanding. “It will all be over soon.”
Callie came running down the stairs, holding her phone in her hand. “The front gate just texted. We have a visitor.”
I pushed off the couch. “Who?”
“Lydia.”
My eyes widened as Ember laughed next to me. “Oh, this is just fucking perfect.”
I turned to Callie, feeling a sense of unease settle over my features. “What do you think she wants?”
A million thoughts filled my head, and none of them were any good. His ex-girlfriend wouldn’t show up unannounced for no good reason.
The doorbell rang, and Callie rushed over to answer it. “I guess we are going to find out.”
The second she pulled the door open and I saw her, every single thought that raced through my head ended with the same question. What the hell was the universe thinking sending her to Nate’s house two hours before his game?
I’ve seen pictures on social media, and even I had to admit she was painfully pretty. Long, blond, glossy hair that looked so natural; I bet she never had to use an ounce of bleach in her life. Even her face was gorgeous. I didn’t usually compare myself to other women, but every ounce of insecurity I had clawed its way up into my thoughts.
Lydia stood in the doorway awkwardly in dark jeans and a black peacoat, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She seemed nervous, almost as if she didn’t want to be here.
Ember was at my side, looking equally confused as me.
“Hi, Callie.” She took a breath like she was trying to steady herself. “Can I come in?”
Callie looked at me for permission. Lydia’s eyes drifted over to me. A line of confusion worked its way in between her perfectly shaped eyebrows. “You must be Becca.”
I wasn’t sure what I expected, but it wasn’t this.
I was too stunned to trust myself to speak, so I kept my feet firmly in place and simply nodded.
She held her hands up, sensing our hesitation. “I promise I’m not here to cause any trouble.”
Callie opened the door wider for Lydia to come inside. As soon as she stepped into the room, she hesitated like she was unsure where she should stand.
I hope she wasn’t expecting me to offer a drink and a place to sit.
“I know this probably isn’t the best time, but I came to tell you that I know what my brother is doing,” she said quietly, while rubbing her hand along her very obvious baby bump.
“What exactly is it that you think you know?” I asked, wondering if this was real or some sick joke.
Her eyes lifted to mine. “Everything.” She shifted uncomfortably, tightening the straps of her purse. “I know you probably don’t trust me, and honestly, I don’t blame you.”
“I don’t know if trust is the right word,” Callie said. “We’re just trying to figure out what’s going on. I mean, Brian is your brother, so forgive us for being a little suspicious about your intentions here.”
She nodded, like she suspected that. “I promise you, I’m not here to make excuses for Brian. I’m here because I want to help you.”
My eyebrows shot up. The three of us glanced at each other. Neither one of us knew what to do with that.
“Why would you want to go against your own brother?” Callie asked, her fingers gripping the back of the chair.
“Because he’s gone too far, and regardless of what happens, I care about Nate. I know I probably don’t have the right to say that, given how things ended. I screwed up. I hurt him. He didn’t deserve what I did to him.”
Huh. I wasn’t expecting that.
Callie crossed her arms over her chest. “Why are you telling us now?”
