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“Why do you think something’s going on with me?”
His eyebrows lift, and he gives me a look that might as well say “Do you think I’m stupid?” Then he crosses his arms over his chest and stares at me some more.
I don’t say anything, and he sighs. “You’ve been acting weird lately. Like really weird. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this distracted before.”
My gut tightens at his words. I didn’t realize it’s been that obvious. “I’ve just had some stuff going on.”
“Stuff?”
Tell him about Harper.
“Yeah, stuff.”
Jace is like a brother to me, all the guys are, but the words aren’t ready to pass my lips yet. Most of our conversations are about swimming and random day-to-day things, but I know they’ll all be there for me whenever I’m ready to talk about Harper and the baby. I just want to figure out what’s actually going on between us first.
Hopefully, we can figure things out together. I know the whole thing with Natasha Leopolt spooked Harper a bit. It was pretty obvious since she all but ran after I told her about it. But she deserved to know. I’m trying to stay optimistic that nothing will come from Natasha’s ominous announcement on social media.
Jace lifts his chin. “When you say stuff, do you mean your new mystery woman?”
I blink at him, my mind going blank for a moment. “What are you talking about?”
“You haven’t checked our group chat, have you? Hunter sent a link. Natasha posted something about a mystery woman leaving your house late last night.”
“What the fuck?” I almost rip the pocket off my sweatpants in the haste of trying to get to my phone. Just like Jace said, there’s a group message waiting for me. The link takes me straight to Natasha’s social media where indeed, a photo was posted of Harper leaving my house. Thank fuck for small miracles, because it’s at a bad angle and the quality is so crappy it’s impossible to make out it’s her.
The air whooshes out of my lungs at the relief.
And here I was, just telling myself nothing would happen with Natasha, and now this. I promised Harper nothing would happen.
Shit.
I check her flight again. Still fifty minutes to go.
“Ryan, what’s going on?” Jace takes a step toward me.
“It’s complicated.”
Jace huffs. “Isn’t it always the moment a woman is involved?”
I send him a glare. I really don’t need his attitude.
He holds up his hands in a placating manner. “No jokes?”
“No jokes.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets and studies me. “That serious?”
“Not officially but kinda.”
I’m sure I confuse him with my lack of information but I don’t care. I check my phone once more, suddenly even more eager to make sure Harper’s getting home safe and sound.
Picking up my bag, I nod toward the door. “You ready to head out?”
“Yeah.” He draws out the word like it has twenty syllables, still watching me like a hawk while he’s getting his gym bag and we walk out together.
The air is a fresh breeze, perfect after a draining day of pushing myself to my limits. The wind brushes through my hair, and I try to fill up my lungs, but they don’t want to work anymore. Having Harper in the air, taking my baby three thousand miles away from me, mixed with the fear that Natasha might cause Harper to stay away, has taken up room in my body, partially blocking my airways with only enough room for a small amount of air.
“Dude, you’re freaking me out.”
