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“Are you listening?”
“Sorry. What did you say?”
“I asked if you’ve talked to anyone yet? Did you turn on your phone?”
I shake my head. “I couldn’t.”
“You probably should.”
“Tara.” My lower lip trembles the slightest bit. “I screwed up so badly. I . . . Everything’s such a mess.”
“Why would you say that?”
I pick at my fingernails. “Have you seen the video of Ryan and me with Ben?”
“I have.”
“Well, why are you asking me why everything’s a mess then if you already know?” I snuggle deeper into the blanket.
Tara sighs and hands me half of a jelly donut. “I’m sorry, Harps. You knew it was a bad idea, but it sucks anyway. I’m guessing you still haven’t talked to him? He’s been worried sick. We all have been.”
I take a big bite, the sugar coating mixed with the raspberry filling melting into one big sweetness fest on my tongue. It helps a few more of my brain cells to wake up. It’s taking me way too long to process what Tara’s actually saying.
“Wait. Why have you been worried? And who’s we?” I look around, noticing how it’s still pretty dark outside. “What time is it?”
“Just around seven, I think. I was on a plane all night, but it was the earliest Beckett could get me over here.”
“Huh? Beckett?” I grab my juice and take a sip. Maybe that’ll help clear this brain fog. It’s terrible. “Sorry, I’m having a hard time following you. I feel like I slept two hours.”
“You look like it, as well.”
“Well, thanks. I’ll remember that next time when the roles are reversed.”
Tara snorts like there’s no way in hell she could ever get in a similarly pathetic situation. And she might be right.
“Harper, I need you to pay really good attention now, can you do that?”
I nod and hold out my plate for another treat. This time, she gives me a mini New York style cheesecake with fruit. Just the sight alone makes my mouth water.
Tara also gets distracted by the goodies, taking a big bite out of hers and moaning in delight.
We both devour our mini cheesecakes, and I marginally feel better. I know it’s not the healthiest way to wake up, but at least I’m more alert now.
The second Tara’s done with hers, she claps her hands twice. Oh boy.
“Soooo Ryan called Beckett yesterday to get my phone number, and Beckett, being the weirdo he is, gives Ryan my phone number even though he’s lying right there in bed with me. Anyway, so Ryan calls me a few seconds later and tells me what happened with you guys and how he had to leave because of his brother and that you turned your phone off and he has no way of contacting you. Which means I couldn’t get a hold of you either. I texted, called, messaged you on all your social media. Everywhere and everything, and total radio silence. Ryan also went to your dad, and I’m sure he called your mom as well, but I’m not sure if he was able to reach her or not. So someone else might come and check on you still.”
She opens her mouth and takes a deep breath while I stare at her like I just witnessed a dolphin giving birth, which would be pretty spectacular but also very astonishing. Just like Tara and the fact she said all of this in one go.
I scrunch my nose as my brain is trying to process everything she said. I’m also momentarily distracted by the chocolate croissant I snagged before she started her little speech. Yup, I have no shame. I can eat my weight in pastries and cake and don’t feel an ounce of guilt or nausea for that matter. Fine, maybe I’m lying a bit about the guilt part, but who’s keeping track?
I take a bite of the flaky pastry that’s a perfect mixture of crunchy and buttery smooth and practically melts in my mouth.
Number one: Tara was with Beckett. In bed. Store that info for later.
Number two: Ryan called both Beckett and Tara to figure out how to get a hold of me, and he’s been trying to talk to me.
Oooh, this chocolate is delicious. It’s rich and creamy and perfect.
