Page 4

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that about Henry.

Harper

It's fine. I'm fine. I'm going home to eat ice cream and forget this night ever happened.

Mia

For what it's worth, Trish says Cam's not usually like that. She's been really stressed about the season.

Harper

Cool story. She can be stressed without being a dick to random people. Revolutionary concept.

Mia

Also Trish says Cam asked who you were.

I stared at that message for a full thirty seconds, my brain buffering like a bad internet connection.

Harper

...why the hell would she ask that?

Mia

No idea. Trish said she seemed… bothered? Like, more bothered than the situation warranted?

Harper

Good. I hope I ruined her whole night. I hope I ruined her whole week. I hope every time she closes her eyes she sees my face and feels shame.

Mia

You know, for someone who claims not to care, you seem very invested in this.

Harper

I'm not invested. I'm vindictive. There's a difference.

Mia

If you say so. Love you. Call me if you need me.

Harper

Love you too. Tell Laine I'm sorry I was a disaster at my first basketball game. I'm sure she's thrilled.

Mia

She thinks you're hilarious, actually. Direct quote: "I knew I always liked her energy."

That startled a laugh out of me. Of course Laine would say that. The woman made her living understanding people, and apparently she understood that my entire personality was "chaos held together by spite and good hair."

I tossed my phone into the passenger seat and drove home on autopilot, replaying the interaction in my head and coming up with seventeen better comebacks I should've used. That's always how it goes, isn't it? You think of the perfect response six hours and a self-led shower argument too late.

When I finally stumbled into my apartment, I poured the biggest glass of wine legally allowed by the state of California, grabbed an entire pint of Chocolate Fudge Brownie and collapsed on my couch, still wearing my jacket because taking it off felt like too much effort.

I should've been over it. I should've been able to brush off one interaction with one rude, judgmental, stupidly attractive basketball player and move on with my life like an adult.